Green vehicle conference to feature speakers from MotorWeek, UPS, NTEA and automakers
Three Clean Cities coalitions from the Midwest are teaming up to host a major green-technology conference in the Chicago area on May 18.
The Lake Michigan Consortium - a partnership between Clean Cities coalitions from Chicago, Wisconsin and Northern Indiana - will host the 2017 Green Drives Conference and Expo at Northern Illinois University's Conference Center in Naperville, Ill.
"It's all about saving fuel, reducing emissions, and saving money," said John Walton, vice chairman of Chicago Area Clean Cities. "Our goal at Green Drives is to connect you with the experts, technologies, and incentives that make clean vehicles and clean fuels a reality."
Speakers and highlights of this year's program include:
• John Davis, the Emmy® Award-winning host of MotorWeek, television's longest-running automotive series.
• Doyle Sumrall, managing director, NTEA - The Association for the Work Truck Industry.
• Carlton Rose, president, Global Fleet Maintenance and Engineering, and Michael G. Britt Sr., director of Maintenance and Engineering, International Operations, of United Parcel Service will highlight the company's "Rolling Laboratory" of green vehicles.
• Advanced technologies, electric vehicles and alternative fuels will be showcased.
• Executives from automakers will discuss their newest vehicles and technologies.
• 25 exhibitors and 40 green vehicles, with some available for test drives.
• Businesses and municipalities will discuss how they went green with their fleets.
"Green Drives will showcase fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technologies for commercial, governmental and consumer use," said Carl Lisek, executive director of South Shore Clean Cities. "It also will shine the spotlight on several private and public fleets in the tri-state region that operate their vehicles on clean-burning fuels. Attendees will learn of first-hand experiences from fleets currently using natural gas, propane, electric vehicles, and other petroleum-reduction strategies."
At the conference, the leaders of the three coalitions also will offer updates on funding opportunities and incentives that make clean transportation affordable.
"This one-day program is a must-attend event for public and private fleets and anyone interested in green transportation," said Lorrie Lisek, executive director of Wisconsin Clean Cities. "Whether you are a small or large business, a fleet administrator, a dealer principal, a fuel supplier, a conversion company, or work in clean tech and clean energy, there will be topics and networking opportunities for you at Green Drives."
NIU's Conference Center is located at 1120 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL 60563. To register for tickets, or sponsor the event, visit http://chicagocleancities.org/green-drives.
The Lake Michigan Consortium is comprised of three Clean Cities Coalitions: Chicago Area Clean Cities, South Shore Clean Cities, and Wisconsin Clean Cities. The three nonprofit coalitions are focused on promoting cleaner energy for private and public fleets in the Chicago area, Wisconsin and Northern Indiana.
Created in 1999, the consortium is made up of more than 500 member organizations. It serves a geographic population of nearly 16 million people with 11 counties that hold non-attainment status for the U.S. EPA 2008 Ground Ozone standard.
The trio of coalitions holds numerous outreach events and trainings aimed at educating the public, fleets, and automotive technicians. There are nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions across the country that are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, and improve fuel economy and air quality. To become involved, visit www.ChicagoCleanCities.org, www.WiCleanCities.org, and www.SouthShoreCleanCities.org.