Our History

At the 2006 VTCCU (Vertical Transportation Conference for Colleges and Universities) the decision was made to formally organize and operate as a nonprofit corporation chartered in the state of Georgia. The group voted to change the name of the organization to Elevator U. The elected officers and directors were: Terri Flint (University of Michigan),  Ed Jaskowak (Penn State University) Marty Waterfill (Georgia State University),  Patty Erickson (University of Minnesota), director; John Blatt (John W. Blatt Elevator Consulting, Inc.), director; and Glenn Duncan (Parts Specialists, Inc.), director.

We recognized a need for colleges, universities, government agencies and public institutions to have an organized vehicle to promote excellence in design, construction and maintenance for all forms of vertical transportation.

We believe working with all sectors of the elevator industry is the best way to accomplish the objectives and goals of Elevator U. We all bring different experiences and knowledge to the industry and must share it for the sake of the safety of the riding public.

Many times universities and government agencies are unable to take advantage of the other vehicles that exist in our industry for the exchange of information due to strict and tight budgets; many being required to choose only one convention or conference to attend annually. In the interest of providing the most diverse and widely experienced individuals possible; Membership to Elevator U is open to all sectors of the industry; including consultants, manufactures and contractors.

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.

The Value Proposition of Joining ElevatorU

The Elevator U Conference is where a consortium of like-mined asset owners who meet to learn, collaborate, and lead together. Membership enables access to a wealth of information from practitioners who have faced similar challenges in managing a large university footprint.

1. Networking & Relationship Building

The Elevator U Conference brings together university facility managers, consultants, contractors, OEM representatives, and independent suppliers where people who are traditionally only see on opposite sides of an RFP unite for the betterment of campus mobility.

Membership opens direct communication channels that lead to:

• Long-term partnerships and collaborations
• Insight into upcoming modernization or new-construction projects on campuses
• Credibility among decision-makers at institutions that manage hundreds of elevators

2. Knowledge Sharing & Continuing Education

Members gain access to:

• Technical sessions on safety codes, modernization trends, and emerging technologies (e.g., IoT monitoring, AI diagnostics, door control systems)
• Case studies from top universities about lifecycle management, sustainability, and design standards
• Certification opportunities and PDH credits for ongoing professional education

This helps elevator professionals stay current on ASME A17.1 code updates, energy-efficiency innovations, and procurement best practices. Participating in continuing education geared to academic community leads to more specific Q & A around topics that are pertinent to the university professional.

3. Insight into Crafting and Monitoring Service Contracts to Optimize Alignment of Interests

Elevator U offers a unique forum for university professionals responsible for the drafting and execution of elevator service and maintenance contracts to learn how peers enhance the value of every dollar invested.

Members gain insight into proven contract strategies that strengthen the alignment between service providers and campus objectives. Through guided discussions and peer benchmarking, participants learn how to:

• Structure agreements that balance costs, uptime, and safety
• Use data from remote monitoring systems and audit tools to verify compliance and support predictive maintenance programs.
• Incorporate key performance indicators (KPIs) and service-level agreements (SLAs) that encourage collaboration and accountability.

4. Influence & Thought Leadership

Active participation (speaking at conferences, serving on committees) allows professionals to:

• Shape university elevator standards and specifications
• Influence best practices in safety, sustainability, and accessibility
• Gain recognition as a trusted advisor, not just a vendor

5. Innovation Exchange

Elevator U is a fertile environment for cross-pollination of ideas between engineers, facility operators, and manufacturers:

• Predictive maintenance and remote monitoring
• Non-proprietary modernization packages
• Energy-saving components and retrofit solutions

This makes Elevator U an ideal forum for testing and refining new products.

6. Community & Mentorship

The group fosters a collegial atmosphere where many members view Elevator U as a family of peers. It’s also an excellent entry point for:

• Mentoring newer professionals or technicians
• Learning how other campuses manage maintenance programs
• Sharing lessons learned in a supportive setting

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.”