The Lake Michigan Consortium announced that John Davis, the Emmy Award-winning host of MotorWeek, will serve as the master of ceremonies and be a featured speaker at its Clean Cities Green Drives Conference and Expo May 19.

The conference will showcase fuel-saving and carbon-reducing technologies for commercial, industrial, and consumer use. It will also feature private and public fleets in the tri-state region that operate vehicles on clean-burning fuels. Attendees will learn of first-hand experiences from fleets currently using natural gas, propane, electric vehicles, and other petroleum-reduction strategies.

“John Davis is one of the most trusted and recognized automotive journalists in the nation,” said John Walton, vice chairman of Chicago Area Clean Cities. “We are honored to have him speak at Green Drives and to shine the spotlight on the advantages of going green.”

Davis oversees MotorWeek’s editorial content, travels the world covering auto shows and new vehicle launches, and steers the series’ increasingly high-profile efforts in covering green-motoring technologies and the use of alternative fuels.

“John adds to our terrific lineup of speakers and educational sessions planned for this year’s conference,” said Lorrie Lisek, executive director of Wisconsin Clean Cities. “Green Drives is a great opportunity to learn about new vehicle technologies, alternative fuels, charging and fueling infrastructure, and funding and incentives.”

Clean Cities coalitions from Chicago, Wisconsin, and Northern Indiana are partnering to host the major green-transportation conference at the Northern Illinois University’s Conference Center in Naperville, Ill.

Speakers from automakers and public and private fleets will address topics covering advanced-vehicle technologies and alternative fuels. More than two-dozen green vehicles will be showcased. Members of the three coalitions also will offer updates on funding opportunities to make clean technologies even more affordable.