Conference Location: Holiday Inn 4821 Oak Street Quincy, IL 62305 P: 877-859-5095
Conference Host - Illinois State University
26th Elevator U Conference June 1-4, 2026
All educational sessions are designed for the professional development of Facility Managers, Engineers, Supervisors, Technicians, and anyone else involved in the vertical transportation industry.
MONDAY, JUNE 1 11:00 am - 5:30 pm - Golf Outing Westview Golf Course 2150 South 36th Street Quincy, IL 62301 Tee Off at 12 pm ***$120.00 per person*** 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Elevator U - Board of Directors Meeting Location: TBD TUESDAY, JUNE 2 8:30 am - 9:30 am Registration & Continental Breakfast 9:30 am - 10:00 am Welcome to Elevator U 2026 Tom Chiodo - Illinois State University 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Hollister Whitney Plant Tour Sponsored by Vantage 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Networking With Partners 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Dinner/Social Event Hosted and Sponsored by Vantage WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 9:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast, Nominations & Voting 10:00 am - 10:30 am Vendor-Mercials Prepare to be entertained and educated 10:30 am - 11:30 pm Upcoming Code Changes Presented by: Jonathan Latham - PTL 11:30 am - 12:30 pm Beyond the Scope: Lessons Learned in Negotiating Service Agreements Round Table - Lisa Diaz - Turf Elevate 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Lunch - Vendor EXPO Opened 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Vantage Presented by: Dan Walsh 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm The Elevator Performance Accountability Framework Presented by: Christopher Short - Wurtec 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm Vendor EXPO Opened - EESF Silent Auction, Dinner and Drinks *Vendor booths must be taken down and packed for shipping by 10:00 pm on 6/3. THURSDAY, JUNE 4 9:00 am - 10:00 am Breakfast - Membership Meeting 10:00 am - 11:00 am Extending The Life Cycle of Elevators through Preventive Maintenance Presented by: Mark Bernhard - NDC Elevator Drives, Inc. 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Escalator Maintenance Presented by: Andrew Kenny - Draka EHC 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - Lunch 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm How Institutions Can Better Manage Vertical Transportation Assets Presented by: Sarah Trujillo - Liftkeeper 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Overcoming Obsolescence Presented by: Natalie Nordstrom ATIS Elevator Consulting 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Closing **Schedule Subject to Change. Some of the programs have been submitted for continuing education credits. This information will be shared once confirmed. Please check with the EU Board regarding which qualify for CET/CAT/QEI Thank you to our host Tom Chiodo and Jim Ganieany and Illinois State University!
Updated: 05.18.26-RB
Schedule of Events - Elevator U Conference - 2026
As current President of Elevator U, I’d like to take a moment to introduce our association and the valuable benefits it offers to professionals like you. As we kick off our 26th conference, it’s the perfect time to focus on improving the facilities we are responsible for. Elevator U was created specifically for colleges, universities, government agencies, and public institutions that are responsible for vertical transportation systems. Our mission is to promote excellence in the design, construction, and maintenance of elevators, escalators, and other vertical transportation equipment. We do this primarily through education and networking — providing opportunities to stay current with rapidly changing technologies, materials, and best practices. As a member, you’ll gain access to technical knowledge, valuable business connections, lasting friendships, and practical tools that help make your facilities safer, more efficient, and better maintained. We look forward to meeting you, sharing ideas, having some fun along the way, and working together to raise the standard of vertical transportation in public service. James Dowell - President, Elevator U
www.elevatoru.org
EESF Rise Up Safe Rider Safety Program
History of the Program The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) attended the Elevator U Conference at Purdue University in 2010 to announce the Rise Up Safe Rider program, a safety initiative designed to prevent elevator-related injuries among students on college and university campuses. Program Overview The Rise Up Safe Rider program provides downloadable safety kit available at www.EESF.org and www.ElevatorU.org. The Downloadable Kit Includes A Planning Guide Safety Posters for Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks Safety Brochures A PSA 30 second radio public service announcement Designed for university resident assistants, student government leaders, campus public safety officials, and on-campus media (newspapers, TV, radio), the materials feature user-friendly content and eye-catching graphics, making them adaptable for college campuses, malls, airports, and transit systems. Development and Contributions The program was developed with input from students at Michigan State University and Purdue University, including an engaging video by Michigan State students demonstrating safe riding practices. EESF and Elevator U extend gratitude to the following contributors: Student Leaders and Coordinators Kallie McConkie (Michigan State University) Tony Barenie (Purdue University, 2009 Graduate) Jeff Cooper (Purdue University, Elevator U Coordinator) Matt Wright (Michigan State University) EESF and Industry Contributors: Matt Rupp (EESF Marketing Committee Chair) Mike Ryan (EESF Chairman & Marketing Committee Member) Stuart Rosebrock (C. E. Electronics Graphic Designer) Original Committee Members Don Ross (EU Member, Safety Committee Chairman) Christina Villa (Resident Assistant) Ed “Jaz” Jaskowak (EU Member, Penn State) Jimmie Anicich (EU Member, Arizona State) Kurt Stepaniak (NEII Legal Counsel, KONE) Lou Deloreto (NEII Safety Committee, Otis) Tom Sybert (EU Member, EESF Board Liaison) Barbara Allen (EESF Staff Liaison) Implementation Conference attendees were encouraged to implement the program on their college and university campuses and provide feedback to refine the initiative. National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week EESF and Elevator U promote the National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week, held the second full week of November annually, to educate millions on safe riding practices. A free “How To” Planning Guide is available at www.eesf.org to support campus safety initiatives. www.eesf.org
About Elevator U Mission/Purpose Statement “There is a need for colleges, universities, government agencies and public institutions to have an organized vehicle to promote excellence in design, construction and maintenance of all forms of vertical transportation. ELEVATOR U is a voluntary association of individuals the purposes of which are exclusively charitable and educational. As technologies, materials and business practices continually change, we need to ensure we have an organization to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise to properly build and maintain vertical transportation that is safe, durable and efficient. To create a forum where stewards of vertical transportation systems can exchange ideas and information. To accumulate technical information and make it easily accessible to members. To provide information and education for the benefit of the elevator industry. To provide a regular opportunity for gathering to share fellowship, information and education. To acquire means to reinvest in the charitable and educational interest of ELEVATOR U. The purpose of ELEVATOR U is to provide a medium at the national level for advancement of the objectives of the Organization, to promote closer relations and cooperation among the professions, contractors, manufacturers, trade associations and societies which are engaged in, or directly connected with, the vertical transportation industry.” The 2025-2026 Board of Directors Eddie Morris – President nem6r@virginia.edu James Dowell - President jed3f@virginia.edu Matthew Pike - Vice President matthew.pike@austin.utexas.edu Brad Haldeman – Treasurer blh12@psu.edu Daren Lehman - Secretary ldtlehman@owu.edu David Smith - Director desmith2@charlotte.edu Daniel Swett - Director daniel@iaec.org Tom Sybert – Director tom.sybert@cjanderson.com Glenn Duncan – Founding Director gduncan@flash.net Eddie Morris – Chairman of the Board nem6r@virginia.edu Special Thanks to the 2026 Conference Host Tom Chiodo and Illinois State University www.elevatoru.org