The 2023 EUFMC was a celebration 70 years in the making, setting new attendance records and recognizing those who have made an impact to the conference.
With more than 160 fleet representatives from electric utilities, contractors, co-ops, and municipal operations, including over 50 new members and eight new companies, EUFMC 2023 set a new attendance record.
More than 350 supplier representatives and 100 companies that offer vehicles, equipment, products and services to fleets operating utility equipment also attended the conference.
Gathering in Williamsburg, Virginia to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the EUFMC, attendees were joined by 11 retirees, among them eight past presidents who served since 2004. The 2023 conference also marked the 30th anniversary for Ann Brown-Hailey, Director of Administration.
The Electric Utility Fleet Managers Conference was founded in 1953 to address the needs of utility fleet managers. In the 1990’s, attendance totaled about 60 fleets and the same number of suppliers. By the 2010’s, EUFMC was hosting 100 fleet managers and over 250 representatives from more than 95 manufacturers and service providers.
“EUFMC has many long-time attendees and has grown consistently over the years as it continues to attract new fleet professionals and new companies operating utility equipment,” said EUFMC President Dave Meisel, Quanta Services. “The ongoing success of this conference is due to its premier educational program and the opportunity for fleet professionals to exchange information through close cooperation with each other and suppliers. With the unwavering support of our sponsors, we expect EUFMC to continue to grow and serve the industry.”
The conference keynote address this year was delivered by Brian L. Wolff, chief strategy officer & executive vice president, public Policy and External Affairs at the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
The EUFMC educational program on driving safety, sustainability & technical expertise included presentations by fleet executives, manufacturers, and industry experts.
Other topics on the EUFMC General Session agenda were:
• Fleet safety panel
• ZEV Design, acquisition, planning and testing
• Regulatory updates
• Fleet charger construction updates and mobile fleet charger developments
• Legal updates
• Fleet responses to supply chain disruptions
• PHEV medium-duty vehicles
• Technician training and best practices
• Comparing and contrasting telematics hardware strategies
• Tire considerations and benchmarking - what a fleet manager should know
Roundtables, an EUFMC signature event, enabled fleet representatives and suppliers to discuss mutual challenges and find solutions.
On Monday, a drive-through utility equipment demonstration was held by manufacturers attending the show. An equipment show that was the site of more than 60 displays followed the drive-through presentations.
A new event at EUFMC 2023 was the first Women in Utility Fleet gathering. More than 20 women fleet professionals attended the networking breakfast hosted by EUFMC Director Julie Gomez, Tucson Electric Power.
“EUFMC is at the forefront of efforts to change how women have been historically underrepresented in the utility fleet industry,” said Gomez. She continued, “We are very encouraged by the positive response this year to the opportunity to provide a forum for discussing issues of common interest for the industry’s growing number of women utility fleet professionals, and we look forward to expanding the program.”
The EUFMC dinner speaker, provided courtesy of Leadership Sponsor, International, was The Iron Cowboy, James Lawrence. The ultra-endurance athlete brought his story of mental toughness and physical endurance, and his inspiring message about redefining your goals and achieving great success, to the conference. Lawrence also led the annual EUFMC guided run and walk through the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area.
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