The Water Environment Federation (WEF) continues to drive innovation in the water sector with its Innovation Showcase at WEFTEC 2012, WEF’s 85th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference this fall in New Orleans, La.
The Innovation Pavilion, one component of the broader Showcase, will house 10 companies offering cutting-edge products and services. Featured exhibitors include finalists and winners of the Imagine H2O Water Innovation Prize and the 2012 BlueTech Forum Showcase.
In addition to exhibits, the Pavilion includes a theater where presentations will occur throughout the week. Here visitors can learn from the recent WEF Innovative Technology Award winners and others—including operators—who recognize that innovation is not necessarily a new product, but a way of thinking.
“Our industry needs to re-imagine how we provide vital services to make sure we are incorporating new ideas and innovations more broadly and consistently. Innovative approaches should allow us to provide better and sustainable service at lower costs,” said Jeff Eger, WEF executive director.
A series of programming dedicated to innovative ways of solving problems in the water sector will run in conjunction with the Pavilion throughout the week. Topics covered include turning research into saleable products, securing financial support for good ideas and developing strategic partnerships.
One highlight is the Tuesday, Oct. 2 session “Lessons Learned in the Commercialization of Water Industry Products”. Dr. Andrew Benedek, founder of several companies including Anaergia Inc. and ZENON Environmental Inc., will outline his unusual success stories and summarize the lessons learned. Benedek will cover models for starting a business, ways to avoid competition at the outset and recommendations for selecting partners.
Innovation Showcase activities will take place in Hall C of the New Orleans Morial Convention Center Oct. 1 to 3, 2012. Visit www.weftec.org/innovation for the latest details.
Source: Water Environment Federation
