1. Clean Cities coordinators know how to throw a party. One June 23rd, coordinators,
stakeholders, business partners and staff joined together at the Washington Convention Center.
There, in a room that provided a spectacular view of the Capitol Building, they celebrated the
20th Anniversary of Clean Cities.
Attendees came from all over the nation to celebrate the milestones and successes of their
organizations. They had the opportunities to have their pictures taken against a backdrop of the
D.C. city lights at night, and against the window showcasing the Capitol Building.
The event began at 5:30 P.M. The room was decorated with pictures and banners
supporting recent efforts by Clean Cities to reduce petroleum usage. The number on everyone’s
lips was five billion: the amount of gallons of petroleum saved since the program’s inception in
1993. People in cowboy boots spoke with friends in suits. Recent successes were mentioned,
accompanied by smiles. Corporate sponsors, including UPS, Gladstein, Neandross, and
Associates, EJ Ward, American Clean Skies, K Neal Trucks, Eaton, Landi, JACI, Ultimate CNG,
Innovation Drive, NGVAmerica, proudly showed off the silver stars that proved their support of
Clean Cities programs. A raffle was held, the prizes being fifty percent of the money earned from
ticket sales. The room held its collective breath to see who won. A few moments later, it held its
breath again to see who won the gift basket donated by Ultimate CNG.
Several attendees had been Clean Cities Coordinators since the program began. After
twenty years of service, they were honored with tapestries woven with the Clean Cities
Coalition’s logo.
Afterwards, a cake with the logo was brought out. Half-chocolate, half-vanilla, it was a
hit with the crowd. It was washed down with the last of the white wine. The sky was dark when
attendees started to make their way towards the door, eager for tomorrow and the start of the
ACTExpo.