The Benefits of Traveling for Work for Fleet Managers

Editor's note: This article was originally published in March 2020. We've updated the piece to reflect some additional information and hope your work travel plans fare better than they did during the pandemic. If we learned anything, however, it's that as much as travel can be a hassle, the benefits of in-person networking cannot be overstated. 

Travel and work: Two things that go hand-in-hand if you work in any part of the fleet industry. From training and conferences to learning lunches and networking events, it can feel like we are on the road more than in the office.

Plus, while they have lessened (to an extent), the pandemic also brought about an explosion of virtual events to our world, which may not take you away from the office but definitely take you away from your to-do list.

With more events than you can count on your fingers and toes, how do you know which are the most valuable and which can fit into your limited time? How do you maximize your work travel and time out of the office to benefit your fleet?

I'll be candid: traveling and time away from the office are a pain. You have to determine whether an event is worth your time, and then you must request approval to attend.

Once you have approval, the next step is the travel arrangements (and did I mention the struggle of reduced flight options and resulting longer travel days?). The time out of the office just getting to and from an event is often overlooked. Finally, there are the after-event reports and meetings to share what you (hopefully) learned. We haven't even gotten to the actual event yet.

So, why travel? What's the real benefit? 

The Benefit of Work Travel for Fleet Managers

Growth. Education and connections should be the top benefits of any event you attend. Today's fleet manager has so much to stay ahead of, from changing regulations to fluctuating fuel costs and vehicle changes impacting maintenance schedules.

To justify work travel and time away from your already busy schedule, you need to know that you will (a) learn something of value (new skills, career growth advice, etc.) and (b) make connections with like-minded people that matter to your fleet operation. 

Every event touts attendees will receive a “professional takeaway” of some form. Typically, these takeaways are accomplished through hours of presentations, breakout sessions (more sitting and listening), and giant expo halls filled with thousands of people and products to sift through. 

But most of the truck fleet events on the calendars today are working to meet the needs of thousands of different fleet managers and make sure the hundreds of vendors supporting the events are happy. 

Before deciding whether work travel to an off-site event is worth your time, ensure it has the educational and networking elements you need to use your time best. 

And, with a growing focus on employee mental health, as more fleet managers find themselves able to work remotely, work and travel could be a welcome relief and connection with new and old friends.

How to Make Best Use of Time when Traveling for Work

Here are six short tips for benefiting from travel to these events:

1. Plan: Before attending a conference or event, research the schedule and decide which sessions or presentations you want to attend. This will help you make the most of your time and ensure you don't miss anything important. Connect with folks you want to make sure you see and schedule set appointments to meet up.
2. Network: Conferences and events are great opportunities to network with other fleet managers and industry professionals. Introduce yourself to others and exchange business cards. You never know when a new connection could lead to a valuable partnership or opportunity.
3. Be present. While on the road, it's easy to get caught up in emails, Teams messages, and day-to-day work. Especially for those of us used to working remotely, it can be hard to turn off and tune in. But if you want to make the most of your time away, make sure to be present and create space to learn and grow.
4. Take notes: During presentations and sessions, take detailed notes to refer back to later. This will help you retain important information and ensure you don't forget key takeaways.
5. Attend vendor exhibits: Many conferences and events feature vendor exhibits where you can learn about the latest fleet management products and services. Take the time to explore these exhibits and ask vendors questions about their offerings.
6. Follow up: After the conference or event, follow up with any new contacts you made and review your notes. This will help you stay organized and ensure you don't forget any important details or action items.

Work Truck Exchange: A Different Type of Truck Fleet Event

After attending conferences and seeing what works, what doesn't, and what fleet managers need, Work Truck developed Work Truck Exchange (WTX) in 2016.

WTX is different. It's a much smaller event, and attendance is limited. Fleet manager applicants are vetted to ensure only the right mix of truck and van fleet managers are there. Additionally, a small number of representatives from companies that truck fleets can genuinely benefit from are on hand. 

Instead of sitting in a large room with hundreds of other people for hours while “experts” drone on about something you may (not) care about, WTX brings together fleet managers and industry experts for one-on-one networking events. 

My favorite part of WTX is the one-on-one networking appointments, nicknamed “Speed Dating for Fleets.” Fleet managers are provided with brief appointments with various key industry suppliers to have personal, one-on-one conversations about the aspects of the programs or products that matter to them. The appointments are kept brief to meet the most people and keep everyone on task, and follow-up opportunities are provided.

At the end of WTX, you will have made new relationships with companies that offer what your specialized truck fleet needs. 

Fleet managers are surrounded by their peers. One of my favorite parts of fleet management — a feeling I hear often repeated by truck fleet managers — is the spirit of peer collaboration. Not many industries find companies in the same industry sharing best practices, discussing their challenges, and working together to develop better solutions, all at the same table. 

Fleet Forward Conference 2024: A Combined Focus for Fleet Managers

Want something a little bigger, more in line with a traditional conference, but that focuses on everything you need, from the future of fleets to safety, and even global fleet operations?

Fleet Forward Conference returns for 2024 to San Diego, Calif., November 6-8, 2024. Your one registration brings you two full conference opportunities.

Fleet Forward Conference is designed to deliver fleet solutions on electrification, charging infrastructure, connected vehicles, ADAS and autonomous technology, last-mile mobility, IoT and AI, shared mobility, Fleet Management as a Service, next-generation telematics, and more. 

Fleet Safety Conference brings rich education from experts in fleet safety, with content focused on reducing driver distraction, safety technologies, driver risk profiling, safety training, limiting fleet liability, tools to enhance your overall safety, and more!

The Bottom Line on Travel and Work

Your time is valuable, but attending the right event can be priceless in terms of knowledge and relationships gained. I highly recommend making Work Truck Exchange and Fleet Forward Conference two of your must-attend events for 2024.

Join me! Want more info? Go to www.worktruckex.com or www.fleetforwardconference.com today! 

Lauren Fletcher
lauren.fletcher@bobit.com