CCIA 2025 will be hosting major automotive brands and manufacturers, with more than 300 of the very latest cars and vans available for fleet decision-makers to test drive. Additionally, there will be presentations, exhibitions, Q&A sessions, and roundtable discussions taking place over both days. 

Make sure to organise your schedule ahead of the event to maximise your experience.  Decide which vehicles you want to test drive ahead of time and plan out your schedule to also take full advantage of the networking and learning opportunities that are offered. 

Attending an industry event alone can be a daunting experience, and you might benefit from someone else’s input. 

Why not invite a colleague? CCIA allows up to three attendees per company (each application is evaluated on an individual basis), so you can get a second opinion when considering vehicles for your fleet. 

Alternatively, if there is someone in your professional network you need to compare notes with, CCIA provides an excellent opportunity to reconnect between test drives or roundtable discussions.

Make the most of your day by arriving early. After parking, you’ll need to get a shuttle bus to get to the show itself, so build in some time for a smooth transit. Breeze through the safety briefings and licence checks, then test drive or make your way around the exhibits before the grounds get too busy. You’ll be able to speak with brand representatives and ask any important questions, knowing that you have their full attention. 

Before you get to the tracks for a test drive, you will need to complete licence checks. A lot of this will be handled in advance of the event, but you will need to bring a copy of your licence summary with you on the day. This process is mandatory if you want to test drive the vehicles at CCIA, and having your licence easily accessible will save time and mean that you will be ready to drive without any delays.

See here for more details on the licence-checking procedure, and what to expect on the day. 

Although this is a driving event, you’re going to be on your feet a lot at CCIA. This industry event takes place at UTAC Millbrook in Bedfordshire and covers a lot of ground, with plenty of opportunity to walk around the show. Make sure to wear something that you are happy to be moving around in. If you plan on wearing new shoes, bring some plasters in case of blisters. 

CCIA is mostly an outdoor event, and the weather can be unpredictable; consider bringing a jacket in case of rain.

CCIA will be hosting 300 of the newest vehicles in the industry and is an excellent place to learn which models will best suit the needs of your fleet. 

When you’re comparing the offerings of the various brands on the day, consider the needs of your drivers and how the exhibited vehicles can measure up to your requirements. The sheer number of models on the day means that you can easily ‘speed date’ through potential choices.

As an attendee at CCIA, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and chat with peers, suppliers, and industry experts. Don’t schedule your day or days to the point where there’s no time for networking. 

If you are attending on your own on the day or looking to ease into networking with people you don’t know, visit the stand for the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP). They are a friendly bunch and will make you feel welcome.

It can be tempting to prioritise brands that are new to you, or ones you are currently engaging with in the office; but take some time to check out the ones you haven’t seen or interacted with in a while. A lot can change in a year, and you might be surprised by what they are doing in 2025. 

See here for the line-up of brands that are confirmed at CCIA 2025.

Visit the show as part of your learning and development. Hear from your peers about the challenges they face and how they are overcoming them. Hear from manufacturer fleet directors about their plans for the future and what is on the horizon in terms of new products and developments. If you work in the public sector, plan to be at the show on Day 2 (you’re welcome on Day 1, too, of course) where there will be special section for you and your peers. 

A lot of topics will be discussed at CCIA, but the focus for this year’s event is how to best help fleets on their electrification journeys – whether through innovative approaches to fleet sustainability, or by exploring cost-saving strategies. 

When in a presentation, seminar, or Q&A session, feel free to ask about whatever is going to best help you and your fleet. Every fleet is at a different stage of their journey, with unique factors to reckon with, but there is a definite overlap when it comes to challenges and solutions. Something important to you is likely to also be important to your peers, so ask your questions with confidence.