May 12, 2013 – The Canadian Utility Fleet Council’s 23rd annual Canadian Utility Fleet Forum (CUFF) is being co-hosted this year by Nova Scotia Power & EMERA in Halifax, N.S., May 27 and 28. There is also a reception for attendees and spouses May 26 in the afternoon, and a dinner on Monday night. This forum is an opportunity to meet and network with a range of utility fleet associates from coast to coast.

Organizers hope that, through this forum, “we can identify issues of mutual interest and concern, as well as establish goals to improve the industry as a whole”. The forum will include presentations on environmental-, technical- and safety-related topics, as well as round table panel discussions on topics such as driver training, reducing motor vehicle accidents, anti-idling campaigns and more, and leading into an open forum discussion where delegates can table questions, issues, concerns, points of interest, solutions, unique situations, etc.

With its roots as a subcommittee within the Canadian Electrical Association, the forum was mainly directed at the electrical utilities. In 1997, this group was expanded to include representatives of fleets in the natural gas and telecom sectors.

Membership in the council consists of designated representatives of the fleet management sectors of any Canadian utility (electric, gas, telecom, cable), manufacturers, distributors and dealers of vehicles and equipment purchased and maintained by utility fleets, and individuals and organizations who provide services to the utility fleet sector.