The water industry is facing more pressure than ever before to be innovative, efficient and prepared. ACE08—the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2008 Annual Conference and Exposition—will bring cutting-edge technology and products together with extensive networking opportunities, helping water professionals prepare for the future of the industry.
This year, the “World’s Water Event,” as AWWA calls it, will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga., June 8 to 12.
Conference
The ACE08 Professional Program will provide educational programs developed from the input of AWWA members and professionals, including 14 in-depth, comprehensive workshops and more than 570 presentations representing the work of more than 1,000 experts in the industry.
Continuing education units are offered for most workshops and professional sessions in the Distribution & Plant Operations, Manufacturers and Associates, Small Systems and Water Quality tracks, as well as exhibitor education sessions. Professional development hours can be earned at the conference’s professional sessions, the exhibit hall, committee meetings and facility tours.
Exposition
The ACE08 Exposition will showcase the latest products and services available to help ensure safe water. More than 500 exhibiting companies and organizations will be available to answer questions and provide information about new products and technologies. Water professionals can gather valuable information and gain contacts who can help them improve results.
Highlights of this year’s exposition include the exhibit hall grand opening on June 9 at 10 a.m., right after the opening general session; the ACE08 Product Information Forum, showcasing detailed presentations from exhibitors; and the New Product Technology Showcase.
The New Product Technology Showcase is an exclusive area featuring the latest technology to help water professionals prepare to face future challenges. AWWA volunteers select the participating companies based on each meeting certain criteria. Representatives of participating companies will be available for questions, and attendees can vote for their favorite new product or technology in the showcase.
Networking
Start strong at ACE08 by visiting the Attendee Reception, Sunday June 8 at 4 p.m. This provides an opportunity to meet up with familiar friends or make new ones, visit the exhibits, see new products and services and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. ACE08 will offer a variety of networking events geared toward the wide interests of AWWA’s 60,000 members.
There are special networking programs and events for first-time attendees, public officials, international attendees, students, young professionals and job seekers. There also are plenty of general networking events, including sessions focusing on diversity, the Water For People ITT Golf Classic and annual competitions such as the World Cup of Drilling & Tapping, Tapping Contest, Top Ops and Meter Madness.
Attendees can choose from nine facility tours to see how local treatment plants and systems are handling their operations. The cost of these tours ranges from $40 to $65, and transportation is provided to and from the Georgia World Congress Center.
Career Opportunities
More than 200 attendees and 30 exhibitors are expected to participate in the fourth annual AWWA Career Fair for students, young professionals and job seekers.
The ACE08 Career Fair, held from 1 to 4 p.m. on June 10, provides an ideal opportunity for people interested in careers in the water industry to learn more about the water profession and meet with top water and wastewater firms and utilities.
Attendees will be included in a resume book given to all exhibiting companies prior to the fair, meet and learn about more than 30 potential employers, have the opportunity to post resumes and view jobs on the employment board, be entered to win an iPhone and attend a meet-and-greet reception following the fair.
More Information
Ready to sign up? Visit www.awwa.org/ace08 for registration information as well as the most current information about the event, including exhibitor lists and the schedule of professional programs.
And don’t forget your family and friends—there are plenty of programs for them arranged through ACE08’s Spouse & Guest Program, ranging from visits to Stone Mountain Park, Callaway Garden and historic Buckhead to various tours of Atlanta’s cultural and historical highlights.
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