Lone Star Learning

April 4, 2012
ACE12 to offer Texas-size program and exposition

About the author: Caitlin Cunningham is a contributing editor for Water & Wastes Digest. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the potential to learn about today’s most pressing water quality needs and valuable solutions: The American Water Works Assn. (AWWA) will host its 2012 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE12) at the Dallas Convention Center June 10 to 14.

This year’s event will offer more than 550 technical presentations and an exposition of 500-plus vendors. Workshops, forums, competitions, facility tours, receptions and other learning and networking opportunities round out ACE12’s comprehensive program. 

Workshops & Sessions

AWWA will kick off ACE12 with a variety of half- and full-day workshops on Sunday, June 10. Additional registration and payment is required.

The association will host its standard education sessions June 11 to 14. Presentations will follow timely, defined tracks:

•            Distribution & Plant Operations;

•            Engineering & Construction;

•            Executive;

•            International;

•            Legislative & Regulatory;

•            Management;

•            Manufacturers & Associates;

•            Poster Sessions;

•            Public Affairs;

•            Research;

•            Residuals;

•            Reuse;

•            Small Systems;

•            Special Topics (e.g., regional water concerns and special interest groups);

•            Universities Forum;

•            Water Conservation;

•            Water Quality; and

•            Water Resources.

Speakers & Forums

Dr. Brian Fagan, author of “Elixir: Humans and the History of Water,” will present June 12’s keynote address, discussing water timeline highlights and the importance of water conservation in modern society. The keynote speaker for June 11’s Opening General Session had not yet been announced when this issue went to print. Three-time Super Bowl winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith will speak at the Water Industry Lunch on June 12. Tickets are available for $60 per person or $550 per table.

The H2Open Forum: Leadership in a Shifting Landscape will bring water utility management leaders together midday June 13 to talk about their experiences and lessons learned. Keynote presenter Fagan will join fellow panelists J. Kevin Ward, general manager of the Trinity Water Authority, and Richard B. Holmes, deputy general manager of engineering/operations for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District. Audience members are encouraged to share their questions and insights.

Exposition

Conference registrants can catch a sneak peek of the ACE12 exhibit hall over drinks and hors d’oeuvres the evening of June 10. The morning of June 11, immediately following the conclusion of the Opening General Session, the exhibit hall will officially open its doors. Exhibition hours will be offered on June 12 and 13 as well. A designated New Product Technology Showcase area will feature AWWA volunteer-selected organizations and solutions.

Competitions

Leading metering, operations and pipe tapping teams will compete for 2012 Meter Madness (June 11), Top Ops (June 11 to 12) and Pipe Tapping Contest (June 11 to 13) honors. The World Water Cup will put tapping champions from the Netherlands, U.K. and North America to the test on June 10, and AWWA’s celebrated “Best of the Best” Taste Test will honor North America’s best-tasting water on June 12.

Site Seeing

AWWA encourages ACE12 attendees to see the sights when visiting Dallas, including its water sites. Several tours will be offered on June 12 and 13. Host facilities include the Bachman Water Purification Plant, Texas Instruments Ultrapure Water Facility, Hanson Pressure Pipe Manufacturing Facility and East Fork Raw Water Supply Project. Additional registration and payment is required.

Networking

ACE12 will offer a networking event for every water professional. First-time attendees and new association members will assemble bright and early on June 11 to gather information and advice; an international visitors’ reception will be held that evening, encouraging a diverse group of water professionals to discuss international issues. Women in Water will gather the morning of June 12 to share their stories and perspectives; students and job seekers can attend the afternoon Career Fair to discuss opportunities in the water profession.

Water for People will host a World’s Water Benefit, complete with cocktails, appetizers and music, the evening of June 10. This “Party for a Purpose” supports a worthy cause and connects like-minded water professionals. Tickets are available for $40 per person.

All attendees are invited to welcome incoming AWWA President Charlie Anderson at the Annual President’s Reception, offering food, drinks and mingling the evening of June 13.

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About the Author

Caitlin Cunningham

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