Green Drives Conference and Expo
The Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation is excited to once again present the annual Green Drives Conference & Expo on Thursday, May 8, 2025, hosted by Powering Chicago at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute in Alsip, Illinois.
Green Drives – one of the largest clean-transportation conferences held in the Midwest – is an annual must-attend event for government officials, commercial and municipal fleet managers, corporate sustainability officers, and clean-tech and clean-energy professionals who want to learn how to use cleaner, lower emissions fuels and technologies, while saving money.
Advanced vehicle technologies, electric vehicles, and alternative fuels will be showcased, including dozens of green vehicles and exhibitors. Attendees will not only have a chance to network with experts from throughout the nation and the region, but they will learn of first-hand experiences from fleets currently using alternative fuels and electric vehicles.
When
Thursday, May 8, 2025
from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CDT)
Where
REGISTER
Hotel Information
A room block has been reserved at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago - Alsip for May 7, 2025 through May 8, 2025.
Group Name: Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (IACT)
5000 West 127th Street,
Alsip, IL 60803
708-371-7300
Room Rate: $129
Reservation Deadline: April 7, 2025
Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor
Network with dozens of commercial and government fleets and get exposure for your company by becoming a sponsor or exhibitor. Download our Sponsor Packet to learn more.
2025 Green Drives Conference & Expo - Agenda - Additions Coming Soon!
Registration and Welcome |
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| 7:30am | Vendor / exhibit set up |
| 8:00am | Registration |
| 8:30am | Welcome by IACT and Powering Chicago |
Morning Sessions |
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| 9:00am | "Taking it to the Streets"
Moderator: Chris Lyon, Director of Fleet Relations, NTEA Featured Guest Speaker: To Be Announced Soon |
| OEM Presentations
Moderator: Chris Lyon, Director of Fleet Relations, NTEA Panel Discussions Q & A | |
Keynote Speaker | |
| "DOE Technology Integration"
Keynote Speaker: Mark Smith, U.S. DOE Program Director, Integration Technology |
|
Break | |
| Visit booths in exhibit hall and outdoor vehicle display. Peruse and ask questions about vehicles on display, and schedule a ride-and-drive in participating displayed vehicles. Tours of Powering Chicago will be available. | |
Mid-Morning Sessions | "Fuels and Innovation Overview and Best Practices"
Moderator: Chris Lyon, Director of Fleet Relations, NTEA |
Lunch |
|
| 12:30pm | Walk through our catered buffet. Visit booths in exhibit hall and outdoor vehicle display. Peruse and ask questions about vehicles on display, and schedule a ride-and-drive in participating displayed vehicles. Tours of Powering Chicago will be available. |
Afternoon Sessions | |
| "EV Prep and Readiness"
Speakers | |
| "EV Charging Infrastructures & Design"
Speakers: To Be Announced
|
|
| "Funding Opportunities and Updates"
Learn about how to acquire government assistance and participate in local initiatives to help fund your new fleet. Moderator: Chris Lyon, Director of Fleet Relations, NTEA Speakers |
|
Closing |
|
| 4:00pm | Closing remarks: Elbert Walters, Executive Director, Powering Chicago |
Our Speakers
Christopher Lyon
Director of Fleet Relations, NTEA
IACT is pleased to present Christopher Lyon as the Green Drives Conference MC once again! Christopher started his career with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, where he was promoted the use of clean energy. Since July 2015, he has served as director of fleet relations for NTEA and liaison for the Green Truck Association, working as the link between distributors/manufacturers and end-user fleets and staying abreast of current issues impacting the fleet community. Christopher earned his Certified Automotive Fleet Manager’s designation from the NAFA Fleet Management Association in 2009. Christopher serves on the executive board of the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation and holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, Illinois)
Samantha Bingham
Clean Transportation Program Director, City of Chicago Department of Transportation
As the Clean Transportation Program Director for the City of Chicago’s Department of Transportation, Sam is responsible for developing and implementing policies, programs and projects that reduce direct emissions from the transportation sector and assist in achieving the City's sustainability goals. During her 15 year tenure at the City, Sam has leveraged over $70 million in local and federal grant funding for clean vehicle incentive programs in the Chicago region, including the deployment of electric vehicle charging stations and medium- and heavy-duty hybrid and electric trucks and buses. Sam also serves as the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities coordinator for the local Chicago Area Clean Cities coalitions whose goal is to reduce petroleum in the transportation sector primarily through education and technical assistance.
Tim Milburn
Founding Partner, Green Ways 2Go
Tim has over 30 years of experience in managing people and projects in a range of energy and environmental industries. As Partner in GW2G since 2011, Tim has been engaged in developing the business and has been active in the field making sure alternative fuel technologies and supporting installations always meet expectations. Tim has been on the Steering Team of the Chicago Area Clean Cities, now the Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation and has completed several useful studies on their behalf. He has also been the Project Advisor for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Readiness program since 2018, developing extensive research and collateral in collaboration with the Caucus. Milburn provides information, resources and recommendations for municipalities and other local governments related to transportation electrification.
Ann Schneider
President, Ann L. Schneider and Associates LLC
Dr. Schneider has 35 years of professional experience in public finance and policy, including 19 years of executive-level transportation policy experience. Nine of Ann’s 27-year career with the State of Illinois were focused on transportation. As Secretary of Transportation for Illinois, Ann directed the emphasis on freight and multimodal transportation planning, and innovative solutions to transform transportation. Dr. Schneider has worked for the last 10 years as a transportation policy consultant obtaining $320 million in grant funding. She obtained her Doctor of Public Administration and Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois Springfield. She also serves on the I-ACT Steering Committee.
Lynn Stafford
Director of Business Development and Events, Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation / VP Business Development, True Alternative Fuel Systems
Lynn has been VP, Business Development with True Alternative Fuels since 2010. Formally known as STAG USA, True AFS designs, manufactures and installs dedicated and bi-fuel, LPG and CNG fuel systems for municipal, law enforcement and commercial fleets. Mr. Stafford consults with Drive Clean Indiana, a Clean Cities Organization and is a Board member of IACT. In Detroit, as Sr. VP, Creative Director at BBDO, he was responsible for sustaining and communicating the DNA of the Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge Brands.
Vehicle Display Registration
At Green Drives, we can accommodate dozens of environmentally friendly vehicles, including passenger vehicles, medium-duty trucks and buses, transit and school buses, and heavy-duty Class 8 tractors. However, if you are interested in bringing an alternative-fuel, electric or hybrid vehicle to display, you must register your vehicle(s) on our Vehicle Registration Page. Specific instructions about bringing vehicles to the event will be sent to you a week prior to the program.
Fleet managers can attend Green Drives for free!
A MAX OF ONE free pass per fleet organization is available for a limited time only! Additional tickets may be purchased. Offer is available for commercial or government fleet managers or other fleet operations decision makers, such as directors, city managers, mayors or county officials. To receive a complimentary pass, send a request by March 31 at 5PM CT to Bethany at bethany@il-act.org with your name, title, organization, and contact information. Upon approval, a special link will be sent to you to use to redeem your ticket.
Event Sponsors
