WEFTEC Show Preview

The Water Environment Federation’s 2018 Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC.18) — considered the largest annual water quality event in the world — will take place Sept. 29-Oct. 3, 2018, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention center in New Orleans, La. This is the event’s 91st year in operation, and with a wide range of programming topics to cover and events to attend, there is something for everyone in the water business.

More than 33,000 attendees attended the 2017 event, and this year, the numbers are expected to grow, with attendees hailing from all corners of the water sector. Festivities will kick off on Oct. 1 with the Opening General Session, 8:30 a.m. in Great Hall A. At the session, WEF will reveal baseline data on resource recovery by water utilities in North America from a WEF-conducted survey on the topic. This will be the first-ever look at the rates of water reuse, energy generation, and nutrient recovery by the sector.

Following remarks from 2017-18 WEF President Jenny Hartfelder and WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill, the session, entitled “Be a Hero. Water’s Worth It,” will be led by motivational speaker and author of The Hero Effect™ Kevin Brown. From WEFTEC: “After overcoming years of struggles and fighting against the odds to succeed, Kevin learned that he was surrounded by people who selflessly supported him, even when he didn’t deserve it. These people were his ‘everyday heroes’ and became the inspiration for his simple philosophy: we all have the potential to be heroes — to powerfully impact others through our words, actions, attitudes, and choices.”

Also during the opening general session, WEF will relaunch the popular Water’s Worth It messaging campaign. Originally launched in 2012, Water’s Worth It has been refreshed with updated design, content, and merchandise — some of which will be available in the WEFTEC bookstore.

“These materials are used by WEF, its Member Associations, and others in the water sector to raise public awareness about the importance of water,” Travis Loop, WEF’s senior director of communications, said.

On and off the show floor, attendees will gather to learn from sector leaders and their peers about the latest practices, technologies, solutions and regulations in water quality. In addition to WEFTEC’s technical sessions being a great place to increase learning opportunities, you may even be eligible for continuing education credits for your attendance (contact WEF for more details).

On the trade show floor, companies from across the globe will present their technologies and services. And, if you need a break from all the networking, some of the brightest wastewater collection and treatment personnel in the world will demonstrate their knowledge in the Operations Challenge.

“We are excited that this year will be the largest-ever Operations Challenge event, with teams of operators and technicians from around the world competing to overcome flooding, a sewer collapse, process failure, and other emergencies,” Loop said.

During exhibit hall hours on Monday and Tuesday at Booth 3863, Hall F, teams chosen by WEF member associations will show off their skills in competition. If you can’t find the booth, just follow the cheering crowds!

The Innovation Pavilion is always a draw for conference attendees and is where you can see the most promising technology entering the water space. A partnership between WEF, BlueTech Research and Imagine H2O, the Pavilion features a selection of early- and growth-stage companies. At 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 2, registered attendees and exhibitors are invited to a reception honoring the work of these inspiring technologies.

Facility tours, which require additional registration and admission fees, are an opportunity to observe active projects, construction, and/or operations at sites around the host city, and New Orleans has much to offer. Featured tours stop at Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and Orleans Levee Board Drainage Systems, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans East Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant, Jefferson Parish East Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant, Louisiana State University Center for River Studies, and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. Preregistration is required for off-site events; visit weftec.org for more details.

The following pages contain a sneak peek at some of the products and services that will be on display in the exhibit hall. For more information, visit weftec.org.