AWWA 2000: Annual Conference & Exposition is Underway in Denver, Colorado
By Tracy Fabre
Contents
New events at the 2000 conference
Keynote Speaker James Canton: "The Future of Customer Service in a High Tech World"
Daily Exhibit Schedule
In what's being billed as "the most important drinking water event in the world," the American Water Works Association's (AWWA) annual convention and exposition begins today at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
This year's robust event is definitely not "just another convention." The association has put forth a great effort to ensure that every attendee has access to the information they need and want during the five-day event. The projected 13,000 conventioneers will learn from practical information, current research, networking opportunities, and product and service offerings through a series of workshops, technical sessions and tours, and of course, the exposition.
New events at the 2000 conference (top)
AWWA is offering some new events at this year's conference:
On Monday, June 12, the first joint American Water Works Association/Water Environment Federation technical session will take place. The new program between AWWA and WEF allows the two associations to participate in a technical session at the other's conference each year. This first joint effort focuses on watershed management issues of interest to both the drinking water and wastewater communities.
An all-new plenary session taking place on Wednesday, June 14 is the H2Open Forum - "Is the Future of Drinking Water in a Bottle?" The session addresses meeting consumer demand for safe drinking water. What is the future of drinking water delivery? Should every house have a home treatment device? Is bottled water a better alternative to tap water? How do we make safe drinking water affordable and available to everyone, while ensuring public health?
A panel representing water utilities, the bottled water industry, home treatment device manufacturers, consumer/ environmental groups, public health professionals, and government officials will tackle these tough questions and more.
Also on Wednesday, June 14, the American Academy of Environmental Engineers luncheon will take place at the Adam's Mark Hotel. The program — Anasazi Redux? Does the Scarcity of Water Threaten Sunbelt Prosperity? — focuses on the question "If the huge population shift to the Sunbelt continues over the next few decades, where will Sunbelt residents obtain their drinking water in 2030 or 2050?"
The Young Professionals Technical Session - "Management and Moshpits" will take place on Wednesday, June 14. The session will explores the challenges met and rewards gained when new workers and seasoned professionals work together.
Keynote Speaker James Canton: "The Future of Customer Service in a High Tech World" (top)
As James Canton will discuss in his Monday, June 12 keynote speech, customer service is being transformed by leading-edge technologies. High-tech trends such as digital agents, artificial intelligence, and data mining will in the very near future affect how we deal with customers.
Canton will offer insight into key strategies, trends and technologies that will influence customer service in the coming years. He also will provide answers to the most important question of all: what will keep your customers satisfied in a high-tech, competitive marketplace.
An internationally recognized futurist, digital entrepreneur, author, and advisor to Global Fortune 1000 companies, Dr. James Canton is executive director of the Institute for Global Futures, a strategic think tank.
Daily Exhibit Schedule (top)
Sunday, June 11: Noon to 6:30pm
Sunday, June 11: Reception sponsored by exhibitors: 4pm to 6pm
Monday, June 12: 11am to 5pm
Tuesday, June 13: 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, June 14: 9am to 1pm
Look for other news, articles and product announcements this week as we report live from AWWA's Annual Conference & Exposition.