Bobit Business Media (BBM) is gearing up for the fifth annual Green Fleet Conference (GFC), scheduled for Oct. 2-3 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Ill. The event continues to grow each year, with more than 550 fleet professionals in attendance in 2011.

“If you are truly interested in going green and need to find the resources to obtain that goal, then the Green Fleet Conference is the place you want to be,” said Russell Goodwin, fleet manager for Little Rock National Airport and 2011 attendee. “I went to this conference hoping to find the contacts that I needed to help our organization move forward to our goal of going green. I did not have to look far; as a matter of fact, most of the contacts I needed found me.”

BBM is offering a $200 super early bird discount for registrations made by June 29, or $100 off for signing up by Sept. 7. Registration forms can be downloaded online from the Green Fleet Conference website, www.greenfleetconference.com.

In addition to two days of presentations and educational panel discussions about green fleet vehicles, strategies, technologies, experiences and compliance issues, highlights from the 2011 GFC included a conference-opening speech from Tulsa, Okla., Mayor Dewey Bartlett; keynote speakers from Johnson Controls and General Motors; 35 vehicles available for a ride-and-drive; awards recognizing environmental leaders; and numerous networking opportunities with key industry suppliers on the show floor.

The networking opportunities alone made the 2011 GFC an unforgettable experience for Dave Head, fleet manager for the County of Sonoma Fleet Operations Division. “Being able to discuss projects and issues with other industry professionals helps keep me grounded and lets me know that I'm on track or that I need to adjust," he said. "I have to say the networking makes the conference worthwhile in and of itself. Good presentations on programs and technologies is the added value."

A special Top 40 Green Fleets Award ceremony will also be held Oct. 3. Go to www.greenfleetconference.com to register and get more updates on the show as the date draws closer.