GRAPEVINE, Texas--June 29, 2006--The 2006 National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) Annual Conference held June 7th - 10th, 2006 met with resounding success as attendees from all segments of the vehicle leasing industry convened at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Conference Center on Lake Grapevine to foster the future of vehicle leasing in North America. Attendance at the NVLA Annual Conference included representatives from primary bank and credit union funding sources, vehicle industry lessors, manufacturers, and many suppliers of industry related goods and services. This year's comprehensive educational seminars dedicated to commercial, fleet and consumer lessors were well attended. New to the exhibit hall for 2006 were several commercial up-fitters: Adrian Steel, Ford Commercial, Knapheide Manufacturing, Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle (American Body), Midbus, Turtle-Top, and UD Truck/Nissan Commercial. The expanded exhibit hall included displays from such prominent manufacturers as Daimler Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Nissan and Toyota. As well, these manufacturers were invited to launch their 2007 Fleet Product and Program Presentations during breakfast and lunch general sessions, generating much buzz about what's new on the scene in the automotive world for 2007. PJ McMahon, CVLE, Vice President of McMahon Leasing, Inc. in Norristown, PA reported that "the truck building seminar (presented by) Ford was excellent! Building truck bodies and ordering the proper truck chassis is a serious task. This seminar really gave me a better understanding (of the process, as well as a greater) respect for legal requirements and the tools to provide my valued clients with the right truck for the job at hand! Thank you for inviting Ford's Team to the Conference!" NVLA Past President Bill Thomas, CVLE, remarked, "There is no substitute -- NONE -- for the value that can be derived from the person-to-person exchange of information, experience, and ideas that can come from networking with your industry peers at a conference environment, like that of the NVLA. Books can't provide it -- you won't learn it from home -- and the internet is no equal to the bounty of treasures you'll realize from real live, face-to-face contact." Annual Awards recognizing outstanding service to the Vehicle Leasing Industry and the NVLA are a normal concomitant of the NVLA Annual Conference, and this year was no exception. The highest honor awarded by the NVLA, the Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year, was bestowed upon Harry Willner, CVLE, President of Fleetway Leasing. Each year this award is given to the lessor who best exemplifies the highest standards of professional conduct. Awards were also presented to David Blassingame, CVLE, Kathleen Everhart, CVLE, and Mike Wood for their outstanding commitment to the NVLA while serving on the 2005/06 Board of Directors. NVLA Conference attendees contributed to benefit their chosen charity: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Dallas. Funds were raised during the Conference will grant the wishes of chronically ill children from Dallas and the surrounding area. Annual Elections were held for the National Officers of the NVLA at the Annual Meeting on June 10th. Officers for 2006/07 elected by the members are: President -- David Blassingame, CVLE, of AutoFlex Leasing; First Vice President -- Tarry Shebesta of ACS Sales & Leasing; Second Vice President -- Michael Wood of Auto One Lease, Inc.; Third Vice President -- Jim Moscatello of USA Financial Services LLC; Secretary/Treasurer -- Jim Rose, CVLE, of Leasing Services, Inc; Director at Large -- Scott Crawford, CVLE, of Wilmar, Inc.; Director at Large -- Steven Posner of Putnam Leasing Company, Inc.; Associate Director -- Kathleen Everhart, CVLE, of GMI Insurance. When passing the gavel to the newly elected President, immediate Past-President Dale Davis noted, "It was a pleasure working with an enthusiastic group of leasing industry volunteers. Through their vision and efforts, the 2006 NVLA Annual Conference, Exhibition and Autoshow was a complete success." Next year's conference will be held June 6th - June 9th 2007, at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information on the National Vehicle Leasing Association, contact NVLA headquarters at 800-225-NVLA, or info@nvla.org, or visit the NVLA website at www.nvla.org. About the National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA) NVLA provides educational opportunities, promotes responsible legislation and communicates with members regarding developments and trends in vehicle leasing. NVLA promotes the independent leasing industry while encouraging the highest ethical and professional standards.