The fleet industry will be putting on a show of strength at the Fleet News Awards, as hundreds of industry leaders gather for one of the biggest networking evenings of the year.

Despite the tough trading conditions, nearly 900 guests have already confirmed their attendance at the event on March 18.

While the focus of the evening is the announcement of the Fleet News Awards, this year its role in helping businesses to strengthen relationships and share ideas will be greater than ever.

Chris Lester, Fleet News events director, said: “It seems that this year more companies than ever have decided to treat the Awards presentation in London as a working evening.

"The number of influential people gathered together to recognise the industry’s achievements provides an irresistible opportunity to those who want to engage with them and share ideas.”

New categories in this year’s awards have also fuelled interest in the evening.

They include Boardroom Initiative of the Year, which recognises sound decisions and great work taking place at the very highest level within fleet operating companies and attracted strong entries from major corporations.

Environmental Initiative of the Year, Safety Initiative of the Year and Customer Service Initiative of the Year attracted high-quality entries from many of the top service companies in the fleet industry and the coveted Fleet Supplier of the Year drew its highest entry ever.

This showcase for talent, innovation and best practice is also set to inspire the industry, with ideas that can be adopted and adapted to raise standards throughout the market.

With more responsibility than ever placed on the judging panel, Christopher Macgowan, former chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, took over the role of chairman of the judges.

At the end of the two days of deliberation, Mr Macgowan said: “The fleet industry is going through a tough time.

"Despite this a clear theme running through so many of the submissions was innovation, safety and environmental awareness.

"This bodes well for the future.”

The Fleet News Awards will be presented on March 18 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

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