Fleet isn’t a commodity; it’s a strategic asset.”
What does that truly mean?
Matt Dyer, CEO of Merchants Fleet, will explore that query within the closing keynote on the 2026 Fleet Forward Conference during a fireplace chat with Automotive Fleet’s Chris Brown titled, “Think Otherwise: What Fleet Leadership Looks Like Now.”
The discussion will examine how fleet has evolved right into a more strategic and mission-critical business function, connecting vehicle data, operations, technology, capital strategy, and client experience to broader business outcomes.
Dyer will discuss the brand new mindset and leadership skills required as fleet professionals tackle greater influence inside their organizations.
“Fleet is strategic work, however it continues to be often viewed as just a price center inside organizations and across the industry,” said Dyer. “I’m looking forward to discussing how the role of fleet leadership is evolving, what businesses should expect from their fleet partners, and where the career is headed from here.”
“The fleet manager’s role has modified, and most job descriptions haven’t caught up,” Brown said. “We’re delighted to have Matt lead this in-depth conversation about closing that gap. It’s one fleet professionals have to be having straight away.”
About Fleet Forward Conference
For the primary time, the Fleet Forward Conference will happen on the East Coast. FFC2026 convenes Oct. 20–22 on the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland, nine miles south of Washington, D.C.
The conference brings together fleet, mobility, and technology leaders for 3 days of education, hands-on experiences, and networking focused on the longer term of fleet operations. This yr’s theme is “Leading Fleets Through Transformation.”
The academic program is organized around six pillars:
- Mobility & Autonomy: exploring the shift to electric and autonomous fleets
- Data Integration, AI & Predictive Intelligence: unlocking real-time insights from connected platforms
- Global Strategy: offering a worldwide view of fleet challenges and innovation
- Fleet Safety & Risk: focused on protecting people and assets
- Infrastructure & Energy: addressing scalable electrification solutions
- People, Talent & Culture: equipping fleets to construct and support high-performing teams
Call for Papers is Open
FFC declares its 2026 Call for Papers. Industry experts, fleet leaders, and solution providers are invited to submit session proposals and speaker nominations. Submissions are due before July 15, 2026.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotive-fleet.com
