Learning about the latest trends in the worldwide water industry
The world’s largest water meet-up of its kind drew more than 12,000 people from across the industry to Denver in mid-June for the ACE19 conference at the Colorado Convention Center.
The theme of the conference, organized by the Denver-based American Water Works Association, was “Innovating the Future of Water.”
At the opening session that packed the ballroom, AWWA’s CEO David LaFrance applauded the crowd for the work they do and encouraged them to look for innovations they could take home.
“Each of you makes decisions every day that have an impact on others, on the hundreds of millions of people who rely on you to provide safe drinking water,” LaFrance said.
“On behalf of the communities you serve and all your colleagues, thank you for your dedication, passion and commitment to providing a reliable supply of water to people around the globe.”
For three days, attendees heard presentations about cutting-edge innovations taking place at utilities big and small across North America. Vendors fill the exhibition floor with a range of equipment, from huge sections of pipe to small valves and remote sensors.
Teams representing their utilities competed to be the fastest in tapping a pipe and assembling a meter or hydrant. And students were awarded thousands in scholarship money from companies, utilities and associations working to support the next generation of water industry professionals.
The conference drew people from across the U.S. and more than 52 countries. It brought an estimated $26 million in economic impact to Denver.
Denver Water employees attended to the conference to make presentations about the work going on at the utility and to learn about the latest trends taking place across the industry.
Check out these scenes from the AWWA's ACE19 conference.