In March 2008, the inaugural Urban Water Management event took place in Louisville, KY. With no prior history to indicate potential interest or attendance, we were pleasantly surprised when over 300 urban water professionals chose to visit the event.
As the conference chairperson, I found it especially rewarding to have attendees express their satisfaction with the conference program, which was carefully designed over several months by our conference committee.
Organized by PennWell, which publishes Urban Water Management and WaterWorld magazines, Urban Water Management 2009 will take place in Overland Park, KS in just a few short weeks. Once again, our conference committee has worked hard to design an agenda offering educational, worthwhile, and interesting presentations covering case studies and technologies that address a wide range of topics: CSO control, stormwater program management, best management practices, green infrastructure, low impact development, and many more.
This year, we are particularly excited about our opening general session. Kicking off the event with a welcome address is Dick Champion, Jr., director of the Independence, MO, Water Pollution Control Department. Mr. Champion has been in the business of water pollution control for nearly 40 years. He's a past president of NACWA, and the chairman of the Clean Water America Alliance.
Next, Ken Kirk, executive director of NACWA since 1990, will deliver opening remarks. Mr. Kirk recently helped found the Clean Water America Alliance, and also serves as its president.
Finally, headlining the opening general session, G. Tracy Mehan, former EPA assistant administrator for water, will deliver the keynote presentation. Mr. Mehan served with the EPA from 2001 to 2003 and is currently a principal with The Cadmus Group. He also serves on a number of boards and committees, including the Water Science and Technology Board for the National Research Council of the National Academies.
While we are clearly very excited about the opening line-up, we've got plenty more in store for attendees. This year, we've added two pre-conference workshops: one on flood modeling and the other on CISEC training. We'll also be offering the CISEC exam, so if you're interested in getting certified, you'll have an opportunity to do so in Overland Park.
We know that one of the most important reasons for attending a trade show is the face-to-face time with industry peers. We'll once again be providing several opportunities to network with colleagues, including two networking receptions and lunches on the show floor.
For more details about Urban Water Management 2009, check out our show preview. You can also find more information online at www.urbanwatermgt.com. And if you still have questions, let me know! I can be reached via e-mail at [email protected].
Hope to see you in Overland Park!
Angela Godwin
Editor, Urban Water Management
