In 2012, funding through the Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program will once again be available to help fund Odyssey promotional items. Funding will also be awarded through the program in 2012 to 150 Odyssey host sites as follows: 1.) The first 100 organizations/groups/schools that submit an application to host an Odyssey event (that is not specifically for secondary school students) will be eligible to receive $1,000 after their Odyssey event takes place and after the required deliverables are met.2.) The first 50 schools/groups/organizations that submit an application to host an Odyssey event specifically for secondary school students in grades 7 – 12 will be eligible to receive $250 after their Odyssey event takes place and after the required deliverables are met.

The Advanced Electric Drive Vehicle Education Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, provides information, educational opportunities, and outreach activities to educate America on next generation vehicles. One aspect of this program focuses on the support of National Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Day Odyssey, including expanding the event to educate a new generation of consumers at the secondary school level on the subject of advanced electric drive vehicles. To learn more about secondary school involvement in Odyssey, read the 2010 Odyssey Executive Summary.

And to make it even better, the first 50 secondary school events that are recruited will earn a $250 reimbursement to offset the costs of the Odyssey event!  That is awesome!

So if you are in grades 7-12, know someone in those grades, or are a teacher or facilitator please check out our Odyssey Secondary Schools website for more information on 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,” he 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 site to help offset the cost of conducting an Odyssey event to the first 100 organizations that sign up.

“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 location, 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.