A total of 17,515 water and wastewater professionals attended WEFTEC 2010, where 984 exhibiting companies occupied a record-breaking 295,295 net square feet of booth space. The Water Environment Federation’s 83rd annual technical exhibition and conference Oct. 4-6 at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center exceeded the previous exhibit space record, set at WEFTEC 2008 in Chicago, by more than 5,700 net square feet.
The 2010 conference provided attendees from around the world with a high-quality program of 112 technical sessions, 33 workshops and several high-profile events, including a special session featuring Robert Perciasepe, deputy administrator for the U.S. EPA, who gave an update on agency priorities and programs and announced EPA’s new Clean Water and Drinking Water Infrastructure Sustainability Policy. “Through cost-effective, resource-efficient techniques like green water infrastructure alternatives, this policy aims to make our communities more environmentally and economically sustainable,” Perciasepe said.
In the Opening General Session, author Steven Solomon shared insights from his book, Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization. He called for a new paradigm of sustainable water management and recognized water professionals as leaders in the effort to avert an impending water crisis. On Tuesday, October 5, WEF president Paul Freedman Freedman passed the gavel of leadership to incoming President Jeanette Brown and inducted the 2010-2011 WEF officers and board of trustees.
WEFTEC 2011 will be held Oct. 15-19, 2011 in Los Angeles. The 2011 Call for Abstracts for the technical sessions is now open. Visit www.weftec.org for details.
