Whether it was watching the four
horsemen of the apocalypse marching across the screen during the keynote
address, or holding the end of a 27-foot-long plastic pipe in Gary Klein’s
special workshop—Practical
Plumbing for Water and Energy Efficiency—WaterEC
surprised me at every turn.
All
along, our goal with WaterEC was to host an international water efficiency
conference where different voices and perspectives could mingle under one
roof—exchanging
ideas and finding common ground. What I discovered while touring the exhibit
hall and mingling with our guests during our opening night reception and
sponsored luncheons, was a group of strong and diverse attendees, speakers, and
vendors.
After
months of sifting through presentation proposals and building upon the four
tracks we envisioned to
mimic the path water takes from origin to end-use (source development and
protection, supply storage and conveyance, indoor/outdoor use, and resource
management) it was a revelation to see those presentations brought to life. And
the conversations were even more enlightening. Over lunch, I
found myself sitting next to university students and federal water officials. At
one of our many networking breaks, I shared an ice cream bar with a former Law
School professor from my alma mater. And as presenters, moderators, and
attendees rushed from one session to the next, I scoured the conference program
with a group of enthusiastic Chileans, so that they could find the perfect class
to fit their needs. Through it all, I watched as our event coordinators (Steve
Di Giorgi, Scott Nania, and Alex Ornelas) managed the ebb and flow of the show
with aplomb and preternatural logistical skills.
One of our presenters said the
experience opened up his thinking about water efficiency and conservation, and
how his specific skills could fit into developing and optimizing water resource
management systems. Others talked about how they felt energized and ready to
become more involved with conservation. Most satisfying to me was watching as
connections were made and partnerships forged not only in the hallways, but in
the exhibit hall as well.
Based on the feedback I’ve already
received, I can confidently declare that WaterEC is the place to be for anyone
interested in water efficiency and conservation. But don’t just take my word for
it click here to see for yourself.