NEW ORLEANS – The largest annual water quality conference and exhibition in the world is coming back to New Orleans, from Saturday, September 24, through Wednesday, September 28, 2016, at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Great Halls B-J. The Water Environment Federation (WEF) will bring an estimated 18,000 attendees for its 89th annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau reps said.
This year’s theme is “Creating the Future of Water,” and there will be a special Great Water Cities Session moderated by Cedric Grant, Executive Director of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.
The five-day event will feature comprehensive education including 29 workshops, 130 technical sessions, facility tours around the city, numerous events and the Stormwater Congress, a specialized educational opportunity that will focus on challenges and solutions to stormwater management and infrastructure.
An award-winning exhibition will feature more than 1,000 water companies showcasing the latest water technologies and innovations, an Innovation Showcase and Pavilion, Stormwater Pavilion, equipment demonstrations and nearly twenty mobile sessions that range from basic operations to complex water technologies and topics.
Also, on the exhibit floor, the Operations Challenge competition will feature wastewater collection and treatment personnel from around the world and challenge their skills through a series of simulated tests to demonstrate the best combination of precision, speed and safety. Attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look on how some of the top operators and technicians deal with challenges such as flooding, sewer collapse, process failure and other emergency situations.
The Great Water Cities Session, moderated by Cedric Grant, Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, will feature prominent local speakers exploring the theme “Creating the Future of Water” in Great Water Cities.
Students and young professionals are encouraged to participate in events including a networking and career fair, community service opportunity at City Hall, Waterpalooza and more. Women in the water industry are invited to the Women’s Breakfast to network and engage with other women in the industry. This event is open to the public but advanced ticket purchase is required.
The Alexandria, VA-based Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization of 33,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, our mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation.
WEFTEC was last in New Orleans in 2014 and is confirmed to meet here every other year until 2024. This year’s event is anticipated to have an economic impact of more than $21 million.
