The American Public Works Assn. (APWA) announced the rebranding of its annual conference to PWX, or Public Works Expo, which replaces the former conference name: the International Public Works Congress & Exposition. Held Aug. 28 to 31 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, PWX 2016 will provide new inclusive learning experiences, technologies and networking opportunities for more than 5,000 public works professionals.
“APWA’s PWX will provide new learning concepts to help prepare attendees for the future in their communities,” said APWA Executive Director Scott D. Grayson. “Several of the new sessions include: Lightning Rounds (fast-paced, concise presentations on the hottest topics), Innovation Station (an all new, multi-purpose common area, the Hub, located at PWX registration), and Tech Time (informal sessions for attendees to catch up on new tools and resources that add to productivity in the workplace).”
Another new feature, the Fleet Workshop, will provide a full day of challenges and solutions for public fleet managers. The workshop includes Monday general sessions with Jeff Havens, two hours on the exhibit floor, and presentations and discussions on: Top Ten Performance Measures for 21st Century Fleet Management, What to Look for in a Fleet Management System, Attracting Fleet Managers and Technicians to Replace Retiring Staff, Insourcing and Partnership Opportunities, and Replacement Funding. Other new concepts include APWA Connect Live! on the exhibit floor, which provides attendees the opportunity to meet public works experts and network with peers.
“Expanded technology at PWX will include Wi-Fi throughout the convention center to stay connected and an easy-to-use event app that includes new features to enhance the overall experience, such as social sharing via the APWA events activity feed. Another new feature is live streaming for those participants who cannot travel to the event, which will include one education experience during each concurrent timeslot and can be viewed at your desk in live stream sessions. Also, there will be more than 90,000 sq ft of exhibit space to explore, so there is something for every public works professional,” Grayson said.
The PWX 2016 keynote speakers include:
- Sunday, Aug. 28, 10 a.m. to noon – NASA astronaut, Captain Scott Kelly
- Monday, Aug. 29, 8 to 9:30 a.m. – Jeff Havens
- Tuesday, Aug. 30, 8 to 9:30 a.m. – Mel Robbins
- Wednesday, Aug. 31, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Charles Marohn, founder and president of Strong Towns
Other PWX highlights include:
- The Public Works Storm Water Summit that APWA's Water Resources Management Committee has planned in a program featuring the latest approaches for storm water planning and management in North America;
- The Public Works Directors’ Roundtable;
- The C4S Roundtable;
- The Self-Assessment Using the Eighth Edition Public Works Practices Manual Workshop; and
- Wednesday Workshop/Tours.
The workshop/tours include:
- Full Circle Organic Facility Compost Tour and Multimodal Transportation Systems Serving the Mall of America, St. Croix Crossing Project & 3M Innovation Center;
- Union Depot and Metro Green Line LRT Tour;
- The Metropolitan Wastewater Treatment Plant, in St. Paul; and
- The Minneapolis Bicycle Facilities and U.S. Bank Stadium.
Details about sessions and speakers can be found on the APWA website: www.apwa.net. For more information or to register for PWX, send a request to Laura Bynum, APWA media relations/communications manager by email to: [email protected].
Source: American Public Works Assn.
