Saturday, October 18 (5:00p-8:00p)
Informal Reception

The informal reception for our early arrivers will take place in the Ocracoke Room of the Sheraton Waterfront Hotel in Virginia Beach, VA.

Sunday, October 19 (1:00p-5:00p)
APWA Certification Testing

Testing for individuals who have registered for the APWA Certification Test being offered at the conference hotel. You can view additional information on how to register, what's required and more on our APWA Certification page.

Sunday, October 19 (5:00p-7:00p)
Opening Kickoff Reception

Join us for the Opening Kickoff Reception to network with old friends, meet new ones and celebrate the start of conference.

8:00a–9:45a
Plated Breakfast and Keynote Address by Bill Strickland, CEO of Manchester Bidwell, Pittsburgh, PA

Mr. Strickland joins us to share the riveting story of his rise from poverty to making a positive impact on the socially disadvantaged. He is the creator of one of the most innovative and successful programs in existence for training welfare mothers and other disadvantaged individuals to achieve academic and business success. Author of Making the Impossible Possible, he is also one of the most inspirational speakers we have ever heard and we are honored to have him share his story with our customers.  It is a story that we guarantee will change how you think and allow you to see the challenges you face with a new set of eyes.

9:45a–10:00a Networking Break

10:00a–11:00a
Fleet Track - Improving Performance with Dashboard Reporting

When Danny Johnson, the Fleet Superintendent of the City of Scottsdale, AZ, looked to purchase a new fleet information program, he made having a dashboard reporting capability a requirement of the specifications for purchasing. While CCG had worked on a dashboard capability over the years, it was Danny’s push to develop something that worked practically that resulted in the current dashboard which provides meaningful data in a variety of ways. Danny was a customer for many years prior to his position at Scottsdale and having him back once again to help us stretch our boundaries is a welcome benefit for us all.

10:00a–11:00a
FASTER Track - FASTER 5.9

Jonathan Holloran shares all the enhancements and fixes that will be included in the next client-server version of FASTER. He will also cover the process of how we determine which enhancements will be in each release.

10:00a–11:00a
FASTER Track - Integration Partnering

CCG staff member Mike Brawley reviews some of the interfaces and customizations that have been developed over the past year and those we are researching for the future. This includes the NAPA Interface, the Mobile Solution powered by FieldWorker, INVERS Innovative Mobility, the live interface with E. J. Ward and the FASTER Zonar Inspection Interface.

11:00a–11:15a Networking Break

11:15a–12:15p
Fleet Track - Using Innovative Solutions to Serve Your Customers

Dean Bailey, Director of IT for All Star Maintenance, may work for a private company providing maintenance services for the public sector, but his innovative customer initiatives (some of which have been incorporated into the FASTER product) continue to impress. In this session, he outlines some of his latest initiatives. We have worked with Dean for many years and his passion for what he does is transparent and infectious.

11:15a–12:15p
FASTER Track - Budgeting with FASTER

Mark Jerome and Danny Brashear, both formerly in fleet management positions but now full-time CCG staff members, cover the budget process from start to finish. This session will arm you with the tools you need to compile all the data from FASTER to create both your own annual budget and those of your customers.

11:15a–12:15p
FASTER Track - Parts Management Best Practices

Joyce Mitchell, formerly the stores manager at King County (an organization that serves more than 100 public entities) offers the “Top Ten” day-to-day practices that are key to running a smooth and financially successful parts operation.

12:15p–12:30p Networking Break

12:30p–2:00p
Plated Lunch and Keynote Address by Frank Morgan - Embracing Change and Innovative Ideas

Frank Morgan is the Deputy Director of Maintenance Operations for the City of Fremont, California. He has returned to the “FASTER Family” after reinventing the entire fleet organization at the City of Long Beach, CA. Now with responsibility over five different areas, he has even more perspective and wisdom to share. He will reveal how using simple but powerful tools can transform even the most negative and disempowered work force into a dynamic motivated team that works together to drive powerful positive change.

2:00p–2:15p Networking Break

2:15p–3:15p
Fleet Track - Nothing Happens...Until Something Happens

Ken Bernard, Fleet Manager for the City of Roanoke, Virginia, accomplished something in his short time at this city that no one thought possible; he convinced upper management to purchase and utilize FASTER to better manage the City’s fleet operations. We had worked with this site for nearly 20 years with no results until Ken, a professional with documented success in both the private and public sectors, took the helm. He’s tenacious, innovative and a wonderful new addition to the FASTER family. His story is one you will want to hear and learn from.

2:15p–3:15p
FASTER Track - Lube Center Secrets

Jeff Liddington joined CCG after, as a senior manager, turning around three different divisions in one of the major quick lube providers. He accomplished this by focusing on customer service and accountability. Come and learn how to set up and implement a successful Lube Center in your operation.

2:15p–3:15p
FASTER Track - Behind the Scenes of FASTER Web

Alan Gamboa and the Web Development Team discuss and demonstrate this completely new web-based product. They also share what knowledge and technology needed for a successful implementation.

3:15p–3:30p Networking Break

3:30p–4:30p
Fleet Track - Using Branding to Get the Word Out

Scott Jennings, Fleet Manager of North Carolina State University, recognized early in his career that using print and other media to keep customers informed about their services was a key ingredient to customer satisfaction. Learn how you can be easy to do business with and gain recognition using innovative methods to help customers know about and access your services.

3:30p–4:30p
FASTER Track - Viewing FASTER Web from a Fleet Perspective

Mike Brawley previews some of the intuitive and innovative features of our new web-based product. He focuses on the ways that this newest version of FASTER can enhance your operation and service levels.

3:30p–4:30p
FASTER Track - Making the Most of Quick and Easy Queries

Joyce Mitchell and Danny Brashear know the value of getting information out of FASTER quickly and easily. They each used FASTER in their own operations and now share the power of how you can use it more effectively in your operation.

6:00p–9:00p
Evening Event - A Trip Back in Time

Share an evening of dining, drinks and dancing as we enjoy a trolley ride to one of the older hotels (the Surfside Oceanfront Inn & Suites) representative of bygone years. The ballroom reflects an era in history when times seemed simpler and the pace not as frantic as it is today. All food, beverages and entertainment are provided by CCG Systems, Inc.

8:00a–9:30a
Plated Breakfast and Keynote Address by Randy Owen of Mercury & Associates and Presentation of the FASTER Hero Awards

Randy Owen, Senior Vice President of Mercury & Associates, has not only been a fleet manager for two large, complex organizations, he was also one of the first managers to rally his team (at the City of Charlotte, NC) to win a managed competition. Today he works with organizations in the US, Canada and abroad helping them combine technology and the talents of their staff to greatly improve overall performance.

9:30a–9:45a Networking Break

9:45a–10:45a
Fleet Track - What it Takes to Be the Best

Sam Lamerato of the City of Troy is the first fleet manager to be recognized as one of the Top Ten Public Works Professionals, a recognition program sponsored by APWA. His fleet operation was designated the second best in the country for 2007. With humility, persistence and an ever-inquisitive mind, Sam has assisted numerous operations to reach new levels of productivity. An activist in APWA and other organizations, Sam shares what works for him and how it can make a difference for you.

9:45a–10:45a
ROI & Real-Time Fleet Delivery Processes

Mark Jerome and other CCG staff members demonstrate (using a skit format) the benefits of using real-time data capture versus batch. This fun and informative session guarantees attendees will “see” why real-time data capture is better whenever possible.

9:45a–10:45a
FASTER Track - FASTER 5.9

Jonathan Holloran shares all the enhancements and fixes that will be included in the next client-server version of FASTER. He will also cover the process of how we determine which enhancements will be in each release.

10:45a–11:00a Networking Break

11:00a–noon
Fleet Track - The Relentless Quest of Ongoing Improvements

Darryl Syler, the Operations Manager for the City of Little Rock, was recognized as a FASTER Hero after being nominated by his Fleet Director in 2007. Not only did his innovative efforts save the City money, he also worked creatively with all management and staff to achieve the number 7 ranking in the 100 Best Fleets recognition program. Come learn from someone “in the trenches.” It’s an opportunity not to be missed.

11:00a–noon
FASTER Track - Using FASTER CS Web Applications to Better Serve Customers

Mike Brawley along with fellow CCG staff members reviews the full line of FASTER CS web modules. He highlights some of the lesser known features that can make life easier for both you and your customers.

11:00a–noon
FASTER Track -Monitoring the Pulse of Your Operation with the New FASTER Dashboard

Jonathan Holloran, the developer of this new technology, and Danny Brashear of Fleet Services give a demonstration of how you can use one of FASTER’s newest tools to monitor many of the critical areas of operation within your fleet.

noon–2:00p
Plated Lunch and Keynote Address by CCG's Joe Healey and Pam Nelson Followed by 100 Best Awards

Named CCG’s CEO in May 2008, Joe Healey worked with the company as a consultant for four years before accepting the challenge of leading it to new levels in the years ahead.  He and Chairman of the Board, Pam Nelson, share a common vision, set of values and unfailing passion for customer advocacy.  In these uncertain and turbulent times, it is still possible to grow and prosper–Joe and Pam discuss strategies for doing just that.

2:00p–2:15pp Networking Break

2:15p–3:15p
Fleet Track - Saving Taxpayer Money by Doing More with Less

Kent Carneal, Fleet Maintenance Supervisor and FASTER administrator extraordinaire for the County of Loudoun, VA, is a long-time customer who has consistently and quietly made a difference in every area of the operation–a County that has sustained more growth than almost any other area of the country. In this session he discusses (among other initiatives) tracking part returns to vendors and implementing an imaging system that virtually eliminates all the paper previously required.

2:15p–3:15p
FASTER Track - The FASTER Accounting and Customization Center

Phil Soldan, a long-term staff member of CCG Systems, is a master of accounting and technology. In this session he demonstrates the powerful flexibility of the accounting center and educates customers on how to manage and maintain their custom applications.

2:15p–3:15p
FASTER Track - Behind the Scenes of FASTER Web

Alan Gamboa and the Web Development Team discuss and demonstrate this completely new web-based product. They also share what knowledge and technology needed for a successful implementation.

3:15p–3:30p Networking Break

3:30p–4:30p
Fleet Track - Building Your Team by Spending Time With Your Best

David Mills, Fleet Manager for the City of Oceanside, spent several frustrating years trying to work with his team to make a difference for his City. He had the vision, drive and determination but struggled to get buy-in from his staff. He set the goal of becoming one of the 100 Best and decided it was time to devote his attention to the team members who would work with him to achieve this goal. Having known David for many years, it is particularly rewarding to see just how far this team has come; they were ranked 17th in the nation in 2007. Learn how you can do the same.

3:30p–4:30p
FASTER Track - Budgeting with FASTER

Mark Jerome and Danny Brashear, both formerly in fleet management positions but now full-time CCG staff members, cover the budget process from start to finish. This session will arm you with the tools you need to compile all the data from FASTER to create both your own annual budget and those of your customers.

3:30p–4:30p
FASTER Track - Viewing FASTER Web from a Fleet Perspective

Mike Brawley previews some of the intuitive and innovative features of our new web-based product. He focuses on the ways that this newest version of FASTER can enhance your operation and service levels.

6:00p–8:00p
Evening Event - Jimmy Buffet Luau

Attendees registered for the conference third day are invited to a Jimmy Buffet Luau at the Sheraton Hotel. Come celebrate poolside with us to eat, drink and network. All food, entertainment and beverages are provided by CCG Systems, Inc.

*Important Notes:

All Optional Third Day Training is offered at an additional cost. Half day sessions include a continental breakfast 8:00a-9:00a. Full day sessions include a continental breakfast 8:00a-9:00a and a buffet lunch noon-1:00p.

9:00a-noon
FASTER CS on the Web (Half Day)

Mike Brawley and company review the full line of FASTER Web modules. Learn the tips and tricks to providing these invaluable service tools to your customers. Gain some basic skills in web hosting and discover how you can brand these applications with your own look and feel.

9:00a-noon
Decision Reporting (Half Day)

Mark Jerome (formerly a very successful fleet manager for the cities of Grapevine and Plano) and Danny Brashear (possibly the best shop operations manager we’ve ever known and now a CCG staffer for more than two years) join together to offer their real-world experience on what reports should be run and when. They’ll also delve into the critically important next step of how you can take action based on those reports to improve your operation.  Mark and Danny offer their strategies for getting the most out of all the information you have at your fingertips in FASTER.

9:00a-noon
Making the Most of Quick and Easy Queries (Half Day)

There is so much information that can be quickly obtained if you know how and where to get it. Joyce Mitchell, a young retiree of King County, WA, is a master at running these queries and then massaging them in Excel so that customers get exactly what they want when they need it. Come learn her tricks of the trade to make the most of what you have easily accessible within the FASTER system.

9:00a–4:00p
FASTER Basics (Full Day)

Maggie Laird of Laird Consulting covers FASTER CS from a first time user’s perspective. An essential boot camp for FASTER, this session is a must for new FASTER customers. It’s also the perfect way to provide training for any new hires within your organization.

9:00a–4:00p
Advanced FASTER Reporting (Full Day)

Pat Wood discusses several advanced techniques for customizing your FASTER Reports  both within Crystal itself and in scripts used to pull data for reports. Learn how to pull accurate meter usage information, how to prevent record duplication, how to do summaries different from your groups, and much, much more. Plus, get a sneak preview of Crystal Reports 2008’s two new features that will be used in reports in the next FASTER release.

9:00a–4:00p
Certification Training for Shop Floor Supervisors (Full Day)

Kelly Walker of Kelly Walker & Associates has designed a new certification program recognized by several entities and unique in targeting this vital area. Although his program is normally two full days, he is condensing the information covered in the 700-page book that is included as a part of this training, into one action packed day. This training (being offered at a reduced rate so more can participate) is required in order to sit for the certification exam. It is a perfect opportunity for FASTER customers or any fleet professional to hone their shop management skills. Those of us who have attended Kelly’s training in the past guarantee he will have you on the edge of your seat while he helps you think differently about how you can incorporate his world class practices into your own operation.