The tagline of Dallas is, “Live large. Think big.” It makes sense then that the American Water Works Assn.’s (AWWA) 2012 Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE12) in Dallas this year entails a hefty portion of opportunities for networking and learning about today’s most pressing water quality needs and valuable solutions. The show will take place at the Dallas Convention Center June 10 to 14.
This year’s event will offer more than 550 technical presentations and an exposition of more than 500 vendors. Workshops, forums, competitions, facility tours, receptions and other learning and networking opportunities round out ACE12’s comprehensive program.
AWWA will kick off ACE12 with a variety of half- and full-day workshops on Sunday, June 10. Additional registration and payment is required. The association will host its standard education sessions June 11 to 14. Presentations will follow timely, defined tracks, which include: Distribution & Plant Operations, Legislative & Regulatory, Poster Sessions, Research, Water Conservation and a slew of others.
Dr. Brian Fagan, author of “Elixir: Humans and the History of Water,” will present June 12’s keynote address, discussing highlights in the history of water and the importance of water conservation in modern society. The keynote speaker for June 11’s Opening General Session will be political pundit and award-winning journalist Steve V. Roberts, who will address the upcoming 2012 elections. Three-time Super Bowl winner and Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith will speak at the Water Industry Lunch on June 12. Tickets for the lunch are available for $60 per person or $550 per table.
The H2Open Forum: Leadership in a Shifting Landscape will bring water utility management leaders together June 13 to talk about their experiences. Fagan will join fellow panelists J. Kevin Ward, general manager of the Trinity Water Authority, and Richard B. Holmes, deputy general manager of engineering/operations for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Las Vegas Valley Water District. Conference registrants can catch a sneak peek of the ACE12 exhibit hall over drinks and hors d’oeuvres the evening of June 10. The morning of June 11, immediately following the conclusion of the Opening General Session, the exhibit hall will officially open its doors. Exhibition hours also will be offered on June 12 and 13. A designated New Product Technology Showcase area will feature AWWA volunteer-selected organizations and solutions.
Leading metering, operations and pipe tapping teams will compete for 2012 Meter Madness (June 11), Top Ops (June 11 to 12) and Pipe Tapping Contest (June 11 to 13) honors. The World Water Cup will put tapping champions from the Netherlands, U.K. and North America to the test on June 10; and AWWA’s celebrated “Best of the Best” Taste Test will honor North America’s best-tasting water on June 12.
ACE12 attendees are encouraged to see the sights when visiting Dallas, including its water sites. Several tours will be offered on June 12 and 13. Host facilities include the Bachman Water Purification Plant, Texas Instruments Ultrapure Water Facility, Hanson Pressure Pipe Manufacturing Facility and East Fork Raw Water Supply Project. Additional registration and payment is required.
Finally, don’t forget to stop by the Water & Wastes Digest booth (#3704) to pick up a copy of the latest issue. Enjoy the show, and see you in Dallas!
Download: Here
