Fall is just around the corner, and with every fall comes the annual trek to the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition & Conference known as WEFTEC.
This year’s event, WEFTEC.05, is the 78th edition of the association’s annual event, and it is scheduled to take place from Oct. 29–Nov. 2 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
According to an interview I conducted with Lynn Orphan, president of WEF, in the July 2005 issue of Water & Wastes Digest, more than 15,000 water and wastewater professionals will descend upon Washington, D.C. for WEFTEC.05.
WEFTEC is returning to D.C. for the first time in 15 years, and a plethora of lawmakers and government officials are expected to attend, according to Orphan.
This is a golden opportunity for WEF members as well as WEFTEC.05 exhibitors to meet with the nation’s policymakers in order to stress how important the water and wastewater industry is to the future of this country.
How often do you get the chance to bend the ear of a politician on arsenic testing, the importance of water recycling and reuse, or funding and regulations in the industry?
From discussions I have had with some of you in the past, I would have to say the answer would fall somewhere between “not very often” and “not at all.”
WEFTEC.05 is an opportunity to make your voice heard. Take advantage of the event being held in D.C. and schedule a meeting with your state representative to voice your concerns regarding water and wastewater-related issues. Inform your state representative that you do not have enough money to purchase new equipment for your water or wastewater plant, that you have concerns about storm water runoff polluting drinking water resources or just let them know the issues that affect your daily water or wastewater operations.
It is important to speak with the policymakers while in Washington, D.C. this fall because it may be another 15 years before WEFTEC returns to the nation’s capitol.
On a related note, we have once again published our exclusive Show Companion for WEFTEC.05. Some of you in the Washington, D.C. area may find the Show Companion within this issue. If you did not receive one, be sure to stop by the Water & Wastes Digest booth (#2315) at WEFTEC.05 to pick up a copy, or you can e-mail me for an electronic version.
The WEFTEC.05 Show Companion contains a Schedule of Events that lists a number of technical sessions and workshops chosen by the editorial staff of Water & Wastes Digest, Exhibitor News, as well as Must-see Products.
One of our goals with the WEFTEC.05 Show Companion was to map out a schedule highlighting certain areas that may be of the greatest interest to the Water & Wastes Digest readers attending WEFTEC.05.
Essentially, we have pre-planned WEFTEC.05 for you in order to allow you to maximize your time in Washington, D.C.