THE last week of April 1999 will be the first 'fleet week' with a new look Fleet Show at its heart. This seven-day focus on fleet will feature business forums, offer networking opportunities, have its own website and include a gala dinner.

The fleet week concept was unveiled last week at the Hotel Intercontinental, London, where key fleet suppliers heard the details of the new Fleet Show which will take place at the Birmingham NEC between April 27–29. This purely business event will not feature a driving facility, and has been devised following extensive market research among visitors and exhibitors at last year's Fleet Show.

Event manager Chris Lester said: 'The fleet market is changing and we must provide a conduit for this change. This is a 100% pure business event for fleet industry influencers, decision-makers and for buyers, brought together in a business environment. This will be more than a three-day show. It will have an innovatory website, it will provide real networking opportunities, and it will have business forums and gatherings targeting small and large fleets.'

The new show will be sponsored by Fleet NewsNet's sister hard copy titles - Fleet News and Fleet Car Business (Emap Automotive's monthly magazine for the small fleet sector) - and organised in association with the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association which will host its own business centre.