Odyssey Updates – naftc

National AFV Day Odyssey to be celebrated across the country

Deimos — Fri, 27 Sep 2019 19:28:32 +0000

The ninth installment of National Alternative Fuel Vehicle AFV Day Odyssey—the nation’s largest alternative fuel vehicle awareness event—will be held on October 17, 2019.

What is National AFV Day Odyssey?

An Odyssey event at the National Research Center for Coal and Energy at West Virginia University drew both students and employees to learn more about alternative fuel vehicles. Credit: NAFTC.

Odyssey is a nationwide celebration created by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles across the United States.

Since Odyssey’s start, 699 events have been held across the U.S. with an attendance of more than 931,000 people. Additionally, Odyssey’s media reach has resulted in millions of views and impressions.

Odyssey events show consumers the importance of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, and the role they play in protecting our environment and encouraging energy security through increased domestic fuel consumption.

The NAFTC encourages site hosts to tailor their event to meet the needs of their organization and their local resources.

Odyssey events take the form of local industry conferences, ride and drives, and vehicle displays. Some hosts choose to visit local schools or invite them to their facilities.

Why should I host an Odyssey event?

Odyssey events allow consumers to learn more about how alternative fuel vehicles work and their feasibility in everyday driving situations. Credit: NAFTC.

Odyssey provides hosts with the opportunity to showcase their program and facilities, while making a difference in public awareness of alternative fuel vehicles. Many NAFTC members use Odyssey as a recruitment event for their school’s automotive program.

Participation in alternative fuel events provides networking opportunities and establishes you as a leader in the AFV industry.

Events such as Odyssey help gain the attention of local elected officials to promote support for energy initiatives and environmental objectives. Among the public, Odyssey can help increase interest, understanding, and use of cleaner, more secure energy technologies.

How can I host an Odyssey event? (Seriously, isn’t this a lot of work?)

Odyssey is a great networking opportunity and a chance to introduce your organization to companies that you are interested in meeting. Credit: NAFTC.

The first step in hosting an Odyssey event is to complete the registration form. You will immediately receive an email pointing you to planning and marketing resources to help prepare for your event. If you have any questions, contact the NAFTC.

After that, you can get to work. Your event can take whatever form benefits your organization and area. If October 17 isn’t the best date for your organization to host an event, choose another one.

Following the event, you will need to complete a quick 10-minute survey to add your event to the national event summary.

Please join us for the 2019 event! To learn more about National AFV Day Odyssey, please visit afvdayodyssey.com.

Get Involved with National AFV Day Odyssey

Deimos — Thu, 30 Mar 2017 14:41:38 +0000

Join dozens of Odyssey event site hosts across the country, who are committed to achieving energy independence by promoting the use of cleaner transportation options.

How?

By hosting an Odyssey 2017 event this Earth Day, that’s how!

What is Odyssey?

National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey—we shorten it to Odyssey—is the largest nationwide outreach and education event dedicated to promoting alternative fuel vehicles. Created by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), Odyssey has become a signature event, with 100+ sites and a media reach of more than 200 million.

When is Odyssey 2017?

Odyssey 2017 is scheduled for April 20. However, the date for each site is flexible. For example, we are holding this year’s Odyssey kickoff event in conjunction with Earth Day Texas, a celebration in Dallas that spans April 20–23, 2017.

So, if you have an event already scheduled in April, feel free to augment it with alternative fuel vehicle information and use Odyssey as a way to draw new people to your existing activities.

Isn’t That a Lot of Work?
Host organizations tailor their Odyssey event to meet their needs. Previous site activities have ranged from simple information displays to more involved efforts with alternative fuel vehicle ride-and-drives.

We try to make hosting an Odyssey event easy for you. The NAFTC supplies all hosts with a Site Coordinator’s Notebook, filled with fact sheets, lesson plans, sample events, potential audience information, and more. Our staff is also happy to help with site coordination and planning, as well as providing posters, brochures, and handouts for your event.

Sounds Great, How Do I Sign Up?

To sign up to host an event, please fill out the short Odyssey Hosting Form . After completing this form, an Odyssey team member will contact you with information about how to get started planning your event. We look forward to adding you to the community of people journeying to a better transportation future!

PERC Joins National AFV Day Odyssey as Sponsor

Deimos — Tue, 28 Feb 2017 14:56:53 +0000

The National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey 2017 event welcomed another national sponsor when the Propane Education & Research Council signed on as a silver-level contributor.

National AFV Day Odyssey is a nationwide, biennial celebration created by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) to promote the use of, and to educate the public on, alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

“The NAFTC has a long-standing partnership with PERC and we are delighted they are helping sponsor this year’s Odyssey,” says Judy Moore, NAFTC Assistant Director–Communications and Outreach and National AFV Day Odyssey Coordinator. “Without our national sponsors it would be impossible to make Odyssey the success that it is. Sponsorships allow us to provide support and materials to the local events so they can reach consumers and help build the awareness about AFVs and their importance.”

For 2017, NAFTC has joined forces with the world’s largest Earth Day initiative—Earth Day Texas—to conduct the Odyssey Kickoff event. Earth Day Texas will host the kickoff as part of a one-day Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Summit, coordinated by the NAFTC. Both the Odyssey Kickoff and AFV Summit will be held on April 20 at Fair Park in Dallas, during the Earth Day Texas events, which will run from April 19-23, 2017.

National sponsorship opportunities for Odyssey 2017 are available for amounts from $10,000 to $50,000. As in the past, sponsors will be invited to participate in Odyssey on a national level, by pledging funds to Odyssey’s success and having a large corporate presence at all Odyssey sites through signage and the opportunity to display vehicles, components, or other related items.

All sponsorship levels will be acknowledged in the Odyssey marketing materials, including posters and brochures shipped to all Odyssey sites, and in the final Executive Summary, which is distributed to organizations across the country as well as members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

Sponsors will enjoy nationwide recognition and the opportunity to put their product/product information into the hands of more than 100,000 potential consumers in multiple nationwide markets. The NAFTC anticipates exceeding 2014 numbers of 107 sites (local events), with over 100,000 people in attendance and more than 200 million individuals reached through media coverage.

For a review of sponsorship levels and benefits, click here . In addition, Odyssey sites (including schools) are being accepted. To host an Odyssey event in your area, please visit here and click on Site Coordinator Application.

Alliance Autogas Signs on as National AFV Day Odyssey Sponsor

Deimos — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:27:33 +0000

Plans for the National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey 2017 event kicked into high gear as Alliance Autogas signed on as the event’s first national sponsor.

“We are extremely happy to have Alliance AutoGas as a national sponsor of this year’s Odyssey,” said Judy Moore, NAFTC Assistant Director–Communications and Outreach and National AFV Day Odyssey Coordinator. “Without our national sponsors it would be impossible to make Odyssey the success that it is. Sponsorships allow us to provide support and materials to the local events so they can reach consumers and help build the awareness about AFVs and their importance.”

Odyssey provides people of all ages and professions with the opportunity to become better acquainted with viable, clean vehicle alternatives.

Alliance AutoGas Vice President of Business Development commented, “We look forward to participating in the Odyssey event and to educating others on the benefits of propane autogas as an alternative fuel.”

National sponsorship opportunities for Odyssey 2017 are available for amounts from $10,000 to $50,000. As in the past, potential sponsors will be invited to participate in Odyssey on a national level, by pledging funds to Odyssey’s success and having a large corporate presence at all Odyssey sites through signage and the opportunity to display vehicles, components, or other related items.

Sponsors will enjoy nationwide recognition and the opportunity to put their product/product information into the hands of more than 100,000 potential, under-reached consumers in multiple nationwide markets. The NAFTC anticipates exceeding 2014 numbers of 107 sites (local events), with over 100,000 people in attendance and more than 200 million individuals reached through media coverage.

Participating in this national event will allow sponsors to partner and network with other national leaders committed to the alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle industry. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

For a review of sponsorship levels and benefits, click here . In addition, Odyssey sites (including secondary schools) are being accepted. To host an Odyssey event in your area, please visit here and click on Site Coordinator Application.

NAFTC Joins Efforts with Earth Day TX to Conduct Odyssey Kickoff Event and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Summit

Deimos — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 19:26:19 +0000

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), a program of West Virginia University, has joined forces with the world’s largest Earth Day initiative—Earth Day Texas—to conduct the 2017 Kickoff Event for National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey. Earth Day Texas will host the kickoff as part of a one-day Alternative Fuel Vehicle Summit, coordinated by the NAFTC.

Both the Odyssey Kickoff and Odyssey Summit will be held on April 20 at Fair Park in Dallas, as the opening day of the Earth Day Texas events, which will run from April 19-23, 2017.

The Odyssey National Kickoff Event is conducted to bring attention to the nationwide activities of Odyssey and to focus national media attention on its message about the importance of alternative fuel vehicles to ensure a clean, secure energy future.

Established in 2002, Odyssey is the largest nationwide event promoting the use of and educating the public on alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to reduce our nations’ dependence on foreign oil and for cleaner air. Odyssey events will take place across the country on April 20, and will feature AFV industry experts, vehicle displays, ride-and-drives, and other activities.

NAFTC Director Bill Davis commented, “A partnership between the NAFTC and Earth Day Texas is going to strengthen both organizations and the message they are conveying. These two groups are instrumental in efforts to provide future generations of Americans with both a clean environment and the knowledge to use environmentally friendly vehicles for our transportation needs. The partnership highlights that ‘Together, we do make a difference.’ It takes people and groups working together to provide for the future of our children and grandchildren.”

Earth Day Texas anticipates more than 150,000 attendees to pass through its gates this year, where they will have the opportunity to visit exhibits, attend presentations, and view demonstrations from environmentally conscious businesses and organizations.

Earth Day Texas President Ryan A. Brown, said “Creating space for discussions about alternative fuels is one of our top priorities. Innovations in fuel make it easier for everyday people to live sustainable lives, accelerating the movement toward a healthier planet.”

The Odyssey Summit will follow the kickoff event and will feature industry speakers and presentations on alternative fuel vehicles, focusing on their importance, availability, and upkeep. Numerous alternative fuel vehicles will also be on display.

For more information about National AFV Day Odyssey visit www.AFVDayOdyssey.org. For more information on Earth Day Texas visit www.earthdaytx.org/.

Site Recruitment Continues

Deimos — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 14:25:58 +0000

Odyssey Updates – Site Recruitment Continues

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) continued to recruit Odyssey event site hosts this month. Several organizations have already agreed to host Odyssey events in 2017.

If your business or organization is interested in hosting an Odyssey 2017 event, complete the online hosting form.

Participating Odyssey site hosts agree to hold an alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) event on or around April 20,^,2017, include Odyssey branding, and submit a list of post-event details to the NAFTC. In return, the Odyssey Team supports event hosts through marketing and promotional materials, informational handouts, and planning assistance.

The Odyssey Team goal is to recruit a minimum of 100 event hosts for the 2017 event.

Ronald Flowers of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC) was the first site coordinator to sign up. GWRCC hosted the national kickoff event in 2014.

The NAFTC would like to recognize Mr. Flowers for his service to the Clean Cities Coalitions. He will retire in January of next year.

The national kickoff event helps to focus national media attention on Odyssey and the participating sites.

The 2014 event was held on the national mall. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Reuben Sarkar served as the Keynote Speaker.

Currently, the NAFTC is in the process of selecting a location for the 2017 kickoff event. If your organization is interested in hosting the kickoff event, contact Judy Moore , NAFTC Assistant Director – Communication and Outreach.

The NAFTC plans to announce the kickoff event location early next year.

2012 National AFV Day Odyssey Largest in History as Event Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary November 2012

Deimos — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:22:13 +0000

2012 National AFV Day Odyssey Largest in History as Event Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary November 2012

Event Receives Letter of Support from U.S. Senators. More Americans than ever before participated in this year’s National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey events – a single-day outreach initiative of growing fame that introduces its audiences in diverse locations to new alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle options – and this year, Odyssey scored points with European audiences and received accolades from the United States Senate. This October, approximately 160 Odyssey events were held across the country and internationally in Gothenburg, Sweden and Paris, France. Odyssey educates the public on the importance of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.

A few of the many vehicles on display at the Odyssey National Kickoff Event in Indianapolis, Indiana, including the 2012 Civic Natural Gas CNG Road Trip vehicle from Green Across America, which included the National Kickoff Event as one of their stops. Credit: NAFTC.

The total number of attendees at 2012 Odyssey events across the U.S. is projected to top 250,000. Hundreds of thousands more received Odyssey information via the news media in hundreds of diverse markets. National AFV Day Odyssey was created and coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, a program of West Virginia University. This year marked the tenth anniversary of the first Odyssey, which was created in 2002, and has been held biennially since. This year, NAFTC’s record-setting effort to encourage interest in alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles was officially recognized by the United States Senate. A letter of support thanking the NAFTC, its partners and sponsors for the success of National AFV Day Odyssey was signed by some of the nation’s most influential Senators. The letter, spearheaded by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin III of West Virginia, was signed by John D. Rockefeller IV of West Virginia; Richard G. Lugar of Indiana; Christopher A. Coons of Delaware; Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico; Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut; Barbara Boxer of California; Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland; John F. Kerry of Massachusetts; Ron Wyden of Oregon; Olympia J. Snowe of Maine; and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. Senator Joe Manchin noted the importance of the program for America’s energy independence. “When it comes to using our domestic energy, I believe in an all-in approach. I support the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium because we need to use everything that we have to end our dependence on foreign oil – so we can create good-paying jobs and boost our economy,” Senator Manchin said. “I’ve visited the NAFTC facility in Morgantown, and I’m so impressed by the work that they have done to harness the energy that we have on our shores. Along with their colleagues, they’ve shown that vehicles, including our fleets, can be effectively powered with gas alternatives, whether it’s compressed natural gas, biodiesel, hydrogen, propane or electricity – which is often produced in a coal-fired power plant. Using all our resources wisely, we can and will make this country stronger and energy independent.” The national kickoff event for the 2012 Odyssey was held in Indianapolis’ White River State Park, and was hosted by the Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition. The event featured vehicle displays, ride and drives and educational sessions throughout the day.

NAFTC executive director, Al Ebron, addresses the crowd at the National Kickoff Event with the National Kickoff speakers. Speakers in addition to Ebron included (from left to right) Jeff Wood, a representative for American Honda and president of Tom Wood Management; Martha Voss, the National Public Affairs Manager for Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.; LaQuine Roberson, the Director of Americorps NCCC Atlantic Region; Linda Bluestein, the National Clean Cities and Co-Director, U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities Initiative; Kellie Walsh, Executive Director, Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition; Chris Worden, District Director; and Ben Franklin portrayer, Ralph Archibald. Credit: NAFTC.

American Honda Motor Company and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. were national sponsors for the 2012 Odyssey and have been longtime supporters of the event. “Participation in Odyssey lets us educate many people about Honda’s Civic Natural Gas,” said Eric Rosenberg, Honda’s assistant manager of sales and marketing for the Civic Natural Gas. “It’s a vehicle more and more businesses and individual consumers are turning to as it is powered solely by economic, clean-burning, domestic natural gas. Produced on our factory line since 1998, the Civic Natural Gas is available today at select dealerships nation-wide.” ”Toyota strongly supports the development of alternative fuel vehicles, and we’re committed to getting more of them on the road,” said Martha Voss, Toyota’s national public affairs manager. “National AFV Day Odyssey does a great job of reaching a mass audience and introducing them to the many affordable hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles Toyota offers. We are delighted to partner with them again in 2012 and congratulate them on ten years of these popular and informative events.”

Internationally acclaimed Ben Franklin portrayer, Ralph Archibald, poses with the NAFTC’s cutaway Toyota Prius, HETVE (Hybrid Electric Vehicle Training Educator). Credit: NAFTC.

Some of the youngest crowd members at Odyssey take in the excitement. Over 1,000 attendees participated in the 2012 National Kickoff Event. Credit: NAFTC. Credit: NAFTC.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) and West Virginia University were national partners of the event. A team of AmeriCorps NCCC members were on site to assist with the Indianapolis event. “The 2012 Odyssey was a great success,” NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron said. “We sincerely thank the U.S. senators for their letter of support, all of our sponsors, all of our site coordinators across the country, and every attendee of Odyssey events nationwide. Because of their support we were able to share our goals to promote the use of and provide education about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.” Additional information is available at the Odyssey website at www.AFVDayOdyssey.org.

50 Secondary Schools Participate In National AFV Day Odyssey November 2012

Deimos — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:17:34 +0000

50 Secondary Schools Participate In National AFV Day Odyssey November 2012

This October, National Alternative Fuel Vehicle Day Odyssey events were held at approximately 160 locations and 50 of these events took place at secondary schools. Odyssey Day events were a series of nationwide events promoting alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, which are coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC). To provide an overview of Odyssey secondary school events, we are including highlights from five different secondary sites. “Education doesn’t always move at the speed of technology,” NAFTC Executive Director Al Ebron said. “With our Odyssey Day secondary school events, we have the ability to bring information about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles to students across the country.” Health Sciences High and Middle College, located in San Diego, California held its Odyssey event on October 23. To prepare for the event, the school’s science teachers taught their students lessons on alternative energy. The Odyssey Day event included several different opportunities for students to engage with the alternative fuel theme. Students were able to build and race solar cars using recycled materials and solar panels at a lunchtime event, visit several booths, and play games related to alternative fuels. One booth allowed students to create their own wind turbines. Students also enjoyed the games, which included Jeopardy and a game in which they used a map of the United States to compare energy usage for each state.

Students gather at information tables at the Health Sciences High and Middle College Odyssey event in San Diego. Credit: Health Sciences High and Middle College/NAFTC.

Dundalk High School, located in Baltimore, Maryland, hosted its Odyssey Day event on October 24. The event included multiple presentations. A researcher from John Hopkins University presented on algae fuel, and students also prepared presentations for the event. Student presentations covered various fuel types, including ethanol, hydrogen, and methanol. The high school event also featured a 2013 Chevy Volt – an all-electric vehicle, supplied by Bob Bell Chevy – for students to investigate. Approximately 250 students and between 15 and 20 faculty members attended the event. Dundalk High School’s Odyssey Day was coordinated by Joe Lilly, a physics teacher at the school. Topsail High School, located Hampstead, North Carolina, presented the Odyssey video for their October 24 event. Students were intrigued by some of the technology shown, and asked questions about the possibility of changing one of the currently converted cars into a plug-in hybrid. The class also discussed the basics of hydrogen fuel cell technology and other fossil fuel alternatives. 42 students attended the event, which was coordinated by technical instructor Steve Garrett.

Colin J. Williams and Tonya Sornson of Mountain View Solar pose with their solar vehicle at the Wildwood Middle School Odyssey event in Shenandoah Junction. Credit: Wildwood High School/NAFTC.

Wildwood Middle School, located in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, featured a Mountain View Solar vehicle at their National AFV Day Odyssey event. Mountain View Solar representatives taught middle-schoolers how the vehicle’s recharging process works; the vehicle collects energy from the sun and converts it to electric energy. In addition, students demonstrated the mini-solar cars they had constructed earlier using kits from Kid-Wind. The event, coordinated by Carolyn Thomas, drew seventh and eighth grade science students, as well as ESL students. James B. Dudley High School, in Greensboro, North Carolina, an NAFTC Associate Training Center, held their Odyssey Day event on October 20. The event featured 26 different alternative fuel vehicles, including a Tesla, a Ford Focus, a 1934 Ford Roadster, an electric bike, and electric- and solar-powered go-karts. The event included plug-in electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, solar-powered vehicles, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Event Coordinator Ricky Lewis began the day with introductions and stories about the displayed vehicles. The day also included a video highlighting the need for trained problem solvers in transportation-related careers, a tour of the high school’s auto shop, and a tour of the 26 displayed AFVs. The National AFV Day Odyssey is coordinated by the NAFTC to educate the public about alternative fuel vehicles and to encourage their use.

Odyssey 2012 to Kick off in Indianapolis June 2012

Deimos — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 15:56:21 +0000

Odyssey 2012 to Kick off in Indianapolis June 2012

The National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey national media kickoff event will be Oct. 18 in Indianapolis. Hosted by Greater Indiana Clean Cities Coalition, the occasion will serve as the official kickoff for the more than 150 Odyssey events taking place across the country on that day. The exact location of the event will be announced in the coming weeks.

Participants listen to government officials speak during New Jersey Clean Cities’ 2010 Odyssey event. Credit: National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC).

Coordinated by the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, Odyssey brings together many organizations, vehicle manufacturers and businesses to showcase alternative transportation technologies and their benefits. “We are excited to kick off National AFV Day Odyssey in Indianapolis,” said Al Ebron, NAFTC executive director and Odyssey coordinator. “This year’s event will mark the 10-year anniversary of Odyssey, and we are proud to showcase how it has grown into the largest nationwide event dedicated to promoting the use of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.” With more than 150 events taking place on Oct. 18, the NAFTC anticipates reaching more people than ever this year. Each event is designed to help individuals learn more about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles, so they can make better choices in transportation. “Plans are underway to set the bar even higher for this year, anticipating 250,000 attendees at 150 events and reaching more than 100 million people through media outlets,” Ebron said. As in the past, all host site coordinators will receive access to the online Site Coordinator’s Notebook filled with media templates, event ideas, promotional materials and detailed instructions to help with the event planning process. Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the NAFTC will again offer $1,000 per traditional site to the first 100 organizations that sign up to help offset the cost of conducting an Odyssey event. In addition, $250 will be provided to the first 50 secondary school sites to sign up to host an event.

Students at East Fairmont High School, in Fairmont, W.Va., complete participant surveys during the school’s 2010 Odyssey event. Credit: NAFTC

“Today’s secondary school students may become tomorrow’s engineers, technicians and consumers of alternative fuel vehicles,” Ebron said. “It is important secondary school students learn about the benefits and challenges of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles.” To host an Odyssey event, please visit www.afvdayodyssey.org/host and click on Site Coordinator Application. If you have any questions contact Virginia McMillen at Odyssey_Planner@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-7882.

Odyssey 2012 Date Announced January 2012

Deimos — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:15:43 +0000

Odyssey 2012 Date Announced January 2012

Immediately after the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium’s announcement that the 2012 National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey is set for Oct. 18, site coordinators began signing up to conduct events. Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition was the first organization to commit to hosting an event. With Lawson State Community College’s Bessemer campus as its co-host, Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition will conduct its third Odyssey event Oct. 18, having participated in both 2008 and 2010. Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition Executive Director Mark Bentley said he is excited to again host this important event dedicated to promoting alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. “Each day the U.S. sends over a billion dollars to foreign governments to purchase petroleum,” Bentley explained. “We need to work to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Many folks are still not aware of the benefits of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles. Odyssey Day is a great way to educate everyone in a professional and demonstrative manner. “What better venue than utilizing the facilities at Lawson State Community College, which is an authorized NAFTC (National Training Center) location serving Alabama?” he added. “Combining expert speakers with a great presentation of vehicles, all under the Odyssey Day banner, allows consumers, fleets and municipalities to come, enjoy and get their questions answered!” Attendees at Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition’s 2010 Odyssey event view an advanced technology vehicle. Credit: Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition NAFTC Executive Director and National Odyssey Coordinator Al Ebron pointed out that Odyssey 2012 will mark the 10-year anniversary of the event. “Plans are underway to set the bar even higher for this year, anticipating 250,000 attendees at 150 events and reaching more than 100 million people through media outlets,” Ebron noted. “In celebration of Odyssey’s long history, the NAFTC is inviting all organizations that have participated in Odyssey to host an event in 2012.” Bentley specifically encouraged all Clean Cities coalitions and coordinators to engage in Odyssey. “If you haven’t held an Odyssey Day event, you are missing the boat on communicating the basic Clean Cities message,” he said. “Try it, at whatever level you are comfortable with, and I am sure you will see the benefits. Be sure to take full advantage of all the great materials offered by the Odyssey Day event management team.” As in the past, all host site coordinators will receive access to the online Site Coordinator’s Notebook filled with media templates, event ideas, promotional materials and detailed instructions to help with the event planning process. “You are encouraged to tailor your event to meet the local needs of your community while enjoying the national support of the Odyssey Team,” explained NAFTC Odyssey Manager Jenny McMillen. “This includes a nationwide media campaign that showcases all local event sites and Odyssey marketing materials that can be customized for your site event.” Thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the NAFTC will again offer $1,000 per traditional site to help offset the cost of conducting an Odyssey event to the first 100 organizations that sign up. In addition, $250 each will be provided to the first 50 secondary school sites to sign up to host an event. “We have been able to show thousands of consumers, fleet managers, governmental officials and others the benefits of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles,” said NAFTC Assistant Director of Communications and National Odyssey Co-Coordinator Judy Moore. “Odyssey has also served as an influence to gain local governmental support for the alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle movement. However, we still have much work to do as we continue on the pathway to energy independence.” The 2010 event significantly surpassed all goals. More than 230,000 people attended 131 events across two countries, and more than 98 million people were reached through media outlets. Once again this event brought together industry leaders, government officials, educational institutions, environmentalists and hundreds of like-minded groups and organizations across the United States and in Canada to further educate the nation on the importance of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. To host an Odyssey event, please visit www.afvdayodyssey.org/host and click on Site Coordinator Application. If you have any questions or concerns, contact McMillen at Odyssey Planner@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-7882.