Thousands of water quality professionals will go marching to the home of the Saints Sept. 29 to Oct. 3, 2012, for the Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC). The show will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center and offers attendees the chance to purchase and sell equipment and services; learn about the latest practices and technologies; network; and earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), Professional Development Hours (PDHs) and Contact Hours.
Last year’s show, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, featured 114 technical sessions with 900 presentations, 37 workshops and eight local facility tours, and hosted an estimated 923 exhibitors occupying more than 285,000 net sq ft of space on the show floor.
Emphasizing Innovation
WEFTEC.12 will kick off on Sept. 29 with a keynote presentation from Jim Carroll, a futurist, trend and innovation expert, who will discuss the future of WEF’s new strategic direction and how water quality professionals can use innovation and creativity to create success.
WEFTEC workshops will take place Sept. 29 to 30 and offer hands-on, interactive and educational opportunities. The workshops will cover topics ranging from “Sustainable Aeration Practice” to “Wastewater Disinfection Fundamentals.” A majority of the classes are full days and showcase numerous speakers and learning objectives.
WEFTEC technical sessions will take place Oct. 1 to 3, and will address topics such as collection systems; membrane technologies; residuals and biosolids; water reuse and recycling; and research. Technical sessions are organized by track: “Industrial Issues and Treatment Technologies,” “Municipal Wastewater Treatment Process and Design,” and “Utility Management.” These sessions range from 1.5 to 3.5 hours in length.
WEFTEC.12 also will offer six facility tours, giving participants the opportunity to observe projects, construction and operations at sites in the New Orleans area.
Participants can earn up to 1.2 CEUs, 16.5 PDHs and eight Contact Hours per day by attending these technical sessions, workshops and facility tours.
Both attendees and non-attendees alike can access WEFTEC at home and in the office with WEFTEC On Demand, which offers immediate access to almost 25 sessions, complete with synced PowerPoint, audio and video presentations.
A Plethora of Products
WEFTEC’s exposition component will take place Oct. 1 to 3. Participants can expect to see product and service offerings from approximately 15 industry categories and 1,000 exhibitors. WEFTEC.12 will offer an expanded exhibition floor, with new Storm Water and Innovation pavilions, as well as tours on trenchless technologies and thickening and dewatering.
This year’s exhibition also will play host to the Operations Challenge, a professional skills competition. The contest will test the talent of water quality professionals in five events, all in an educational and social atmosphere.
Whether you are attending WEFTEC to purchase new equipment, expand your networking circle or learn something new, there is sure to be something for every water quality professional at this year’s show.
Lastly, be sure to stop by the Water & Wastes Digest booth (#5749 in Hall G), and say hello to the staff. See you in the Big Easy!
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