TORRANCE, CA - Appearances by Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Michael B. Coleman, mayor of the City of Columbus, Ohio, and presentation of the first-ever Environmental Leadership Awards are among the highlights of next week's Green Fleet Conference, Oct. 19-20, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

In the conference Day 2 opening presentation, Mayor Daley will address "Implementing Chicago's Climate Action Plan to Reduce Transportation's Carbon Footprint," drawing upon the city's "roadmap" to achieve an 80-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050.

In remarks opening the environmental leadership awards ceremony, Mayor Coleman will address the importance of recognizing and honoring innovative environmental leadership, particularly in fleet management. The Mayor, who will co-present the awards with Mike Antich, conference chair, launched the City of Columbus green initiative in 2005.

The Green Fleet Conference Environmental Leadership Awards recognize 41 individuals, representing corporate and public sector fleets whose efforts have led to significant improvements in their fleets' environmental impact. Public sector fleet honorees include:

• Melody Bennett, Climate Change Program manager, King County, Wash.

• Larry Campbell, CPFP, fleet manager, City of Fort Wayne, Ind.

• Mayor Michael B. Coleman, City of Columbus.

• Paul Condran, equipment maintenance manager, City of Culver City, Calif.

• Sydney Cox, supervisor, master mechanic, City of Cambridge, Mass.

• Mayor Richard M. Daley, City of Chicago.

• Venu Gupta, superintendent/buildings & fleet, City of Milwaukee.

• Robert Howdyshell, director of purchasing & fleet services, Riverside County, Calif.

• Ernie Ivy, fleet director, City of Denver.

• Renee Jordan, University of Michigan.

• Sherry Lewis, associate director, University of California, Los Angeles.

• Rick Longobart, fleet manager, City of Inglewood, Calif.

• Ariella Maron, deputy commissioner for citywide energy management, New York City.

• Allen Mitchell, CPFP, fleet manager, Snohomish County, Wash.

• David Roussel, fleet manager, Orange County, Fla.

• Doug Smith, manager, equipment services, City of Vancouver, Wash.

• George Survant, director of fleet services, Florida Power & Light.

• Samuel Swearngin, CAFM, fleet administrator, City of Kansas City, Mo.

• Mayor Bill White, City of Houston.

• Chris Wiley, green fleets coordinator, City of Seattle.

• Shannon Yauchzee, public works director/city engineer, City of West Covina, Calif.

According to organizers, the second annual Green Fleet Conference will present solutions and resources to help fleet managers continue environmental initiatives in budget-challenged times. Offering two tracks - commercial and public sector fleets - conference speakers and panelists will include industry experts and fleet managers sharing real-world experiences in implementing green initiatives for which costs were offset by program savings.

Further information on the Green Fleet Conference and registration details are available at www.greenfleetconference.com or (800) 576-8788.