Sun Shines on Safety

Progress and camaraderie distinguish exceptional EESF gathering in Tampa, Florida. 

The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation (EESF) rolled out the red carpet (literally) for the 74 golfers and vertical-transportation (VT) safety enthusiasts who attended the 2025 EESF Annual General Meeting (AGM) Kickoff Classic presented by ELEVATOR WORLD on February 9-11 in sunny Tampa, Florida. A bright red carpet welcomed them into the Hunter’s Green Country Club on Monday evening for dinner and drinks after a long day on the beautifully landscaped course punctuated by moss-draped oaks, palm trees and lakes.

Including a riotous social event to watch Super Bowl LIX at Tampa’s appropriately named World of Beer as attendees enjoyed unique libations (including a Boone’s Farm-infused craft beer) and delicious game-day snacks; the golf outing; and the AGM, the exceptional gathering was a blend of business and pleasure centered around networking, camaraderie and, of course, VT safety.

An impressive array of expert speakers covered not only public VT safety but field safety, as the AGM featured an in-depth presentation on the new Elevator Industry Field Employees’ Safety Handbook by Dot Mynahan of National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) and David Smarte of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC), as well as NAESA International Education Director Jack Day on how we can all be ambassadors for safety. Presentations were preceded by what EESF Executive Director Amber Catlin-Kolodziej described as “a fantastic Board of Directors (BoD) meeting” during which Dominik Sachsenheimer of Maven Group was welcomed as a new member. It was reported that the Foundation’s reach has expanded by an amazing 700% — from approximately 5,000 individuals in 2023 to 39,500 in 2024. “This year, we are aiming for 150,000,” Catlin-Kolodziej said. 

Sunday, February 9

Super Bowl Sunday at World of Beer proved a fitting kickoff for the three-day event. Starting on Sunday, more than 100 industry professionals converged on the Marriott Tampa Airport, a sound-proof 1973 hotel boasting impressive views of jets coming and going topped by a striking early 1980s revolving restaurant (now used as event space) as they reconnected with old VT friends, made new ones and geared up for a full day traversing the Hunter’s Green golf course for the inaugural golf outing. 

Some attendees drove in from other cities in Florida, but those who flew in from elsewhere, including Canada (where the weather was cloudy and cold), were treated to sunny skies, temperatures in the low 80s and a gentle breeze that caused the palm fronds to flutter. Attire was decidedly “summer vacation,” with lots of sundresses, shorts and sandals. World of Beer was packed for the big game, but EESF rented an entire outdoor covered area off to the side replete with multiple televisions. The majority stayed until the game wrapped up slightly after 10 p.m. EST.  

Monday, February 10

Golf tournament registration began at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon. In between, a hamburger and hotdog lunch was served behind the putting green. There were palm trees nearly everywhere your author looked on the approximately 40-min drive to Hunter’s Green. There, she joined Catlin-Kolodziej, EESF Senior Operations Director Laurie Dueitt, Program & Development Director Kelsey Nay and outgoing BoD Chair Sheila Swett (representing the International Association of Elevator Consultants (IAEC]) at a long table in the shade next to the country club to prepare for the dinner ahead. The impromptu team, which included EESF Canada Administrative Assistant Brandy Hancock, also assisted golfers by delivering cigars to them on the course and handing out course maps from the nearby pro shop. 

Throughout the day, golfers fortified themselves with water, Arnold Palmers and plenty of bottled beer available from a cash bar. All golfers received sturdy black mesh shoe bags with a set of golf balls and more inside, cigars and four drink tickets each for that evening’s dinner. 

As golfers entered the club via the red carpet, Morgan Jones, general manager for two Hyperion brands and vice chair of NAEC’s NexGen group, filmed and interviewed participants. She asked them to share their favorite elevator/escalator safety tips, favorite VT jokes or show the camera what their “hole-in-one” victory dance looks like. Highlighting many of our industry’s movers and shakers, Jones’ humorous and informative video was posted on social media sites — earning lots of kudos. Her efforts resulted in an impromptu “GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time) Award from Catlin-Kolodziej. 

A Southwest-themed dinner featured fajitas with all the fixings, grilled corn and nachos, and the gracious Country Club staff served cocktails of choice to guests as they arrived. Light from the setting sun streamed into the dining room windows as attendees listened to six presentations: EW President T. Bruce MacKinnon on the history of and support for EESF through the years (starting in 1989) and the targeted age groups (second graders and senior citizens); NAESA International Executive Director and EESF Treasurer Emerald Kuhns on rider safety and the Foundation’s origins at NAEC convention Bridge Builders meetings; VDA Vice President, Codes & Standards, and EESF incoming Vice Chair Greg DeCola on the importance of rider safety; IAEC Executive Director and outgoing EESF Chair Swett on the commitment to the Foundation’s vision; ATIS Chief Operating Officer and incoming EESF Chair Joe McAnulty on supporting EESF’s goals; and Catlin-Kolodziej on believing in the Foundation’s mission.

MacKinnon also presented SEES Inc. Northeast and Atlantic Sales Director Adam Fell with a trophy recognizing SEES for its EW Product of the Year: the Smooth Operator door control technology system.

Kuhns thanked all the golfers for participating. “Without your support, we couldn’t move forward with safety,” she said. DeCola reminded attendees that the 50th Annual Pop/Joe Golf Outing — one of the Foundation’s biggest fundraisers — is coming up in the fall. Each year, the Pop/Joe honors an industry icon, and this year, all past honorees will be recognized, DeCola observed.

Dinner festivities included raffles for Visa gift cards, an ice chest and a 50/50 drawing. In addition to EW, event sponsors were Adams Elevator, AFD Industries Inc., Alberta Elevator Devices & Amusement Rides Safety Association, Alliance Elevator Solutions, ATIS, Edge Elevator Products, Elevator Conference of New York, EMS Group, ESI Elevator Systems, Hytec, IPH®, Kings III Emergency Communications, MEGA Elevator Parts & Electrical Supply, MEI Total Elevator Solutions, NAEC; NAESA; NEII; The Peelle Co.; Quality Elevator Products, Inc.; RATH^TM by AVIRE; Schumacher; SCS Elevator Products Inc.; SEES; Tri-Tronics and Vasile Elevator. 

Tuesday, February 11

After the AGM executive session in Marriott’s Grand Ballroom, Smarte, Mynahan, Day and EESF Chair Joe McAnulty took turns speaking. Mynahan gave a history of the Handbook that dates back to 1949 when NEII and the International Union of Elevator Constructors created the first handbook. EW’s first version of the Handbook was published in the early 1970s at the prompting of several elevator companies. Updated every five years, the latest edition is, essentially, a “whole new book,” Mynahan said. 

The result of more than two years of work, the 2025 Handbook features quite a few editorial changes, Smarte said, such as a fall-protection section updated to include properly fitting body harnesses for women mechanics. Added sections include Re-roping (one of the highest-risk activities for VT mechanics), Beam Charts, Mental Health, Silica and Workplace Violence. “If you look at a redlined copy of the handbook, it’s almost entirely redlined,” Smarte observed. 

A major new change this year is that, for a fee, companies can customize books with their company logo on the cover. A Spanish version of the Handbook is also coming very soon, as is a Canadian version that will be available in English and French. 

Day shared that EESF has been part of his life for decades, starting when he was chief elevator inspector for the state of Washington from 2005-2016. Given the number of escalator accidents at Sea-Tac Airport, Day got the mayor of Seattle involved in an EESF campaign to erect signage to reduce these accidents. NAESA fundraising efforts, such as its Wisconsin Elevator Symposium Golf Outing, have raised more than US$12,000 for EESF over the years, he said. 

NAESA achieves VT safety through educating inspectors and mechanics on codes including ASME A.17, International Building Code National Fire Protection Association and OSHA. Numerous entities play a part in safety, Day said, including elevator companies, AHJs, inspectors, mechanics, politicians and the public. “Safety should become a way of life,” he said, continuing: 

“My final push is this: Each one of us needs to be an ambassador for VT safety characterized by vision, action and leadership. If you see something, say something. Raise that standard.” 

The next EESF Kickoff Classic is already in the works. Stay tuned for details!