News | June 19, 2001

AWWA Conference brings 15,000 people, $21 million to Washington

AWWA Conference one of D.C.'s ten biggest in 2001, guarantees windfall for local merchants

The American Water Works Association's (AWWA) 120th Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) will bring 15,000 people to Washington, D.C. and $21 million to local businesses over the next week. One of the District's ten largest conferences in 2001, AWWA's ACE will begin Sunday, June 17 and will continue through Thursday, June 21.

"AWWA is proud to give its ACE attendees the opportunity to enjoy the beauty, history and excitement of life in Washington, D.C.," said AWWA Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr. "No locale is better suited to host the world's largest conference dedicated to safe drinking water than the Nation's Capital."

The Washington Convention Center confirms AWWA's conference will be one of the District's ten biggest of the year. This massive influx of visitors guarantees that local merchants will flourish. According to the Washington Convention Center, $21 million will be added to the District's economy by AWWA conference attendees over the next week. District hotels have already begun to reap the rewards; over 20 hotels in downtown Washington are booked solid with ACE attendees.

"AWWA has been part of the Washington community for over twenty years," noted Hoffbuhr. "The Association is pleased that it can enhance the District's economy while ACE attendees enjoy all the benefits Washington life has to offer."

Established in 1881, AWWA has had offices in Washington since 1980. With over 57,000 members throughout North America, AWWA is the oldest and largest scientific and educational organization dedicated to the provision of safe drinking water. AWWA's 4,300 utility members provide drinking water to more than 180 million Americans, including all Washingtonians, Baltimoreans and Northern Virginians.

This is the fourth time Washington has hosted AWWA's ACE and the first time since 1985. Attendance at ACE has almost doubled in that time, rising from 8,000 in 1985 to an expected 15,000 this year. The conference will cover a wide range of pressing issues such as: the multi-billion dollar arsenic rule under review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), protecting drinking water facilities from terrorism, the nation's drinking water infrastructure needs, and water supply and conservation in the face of the severe drought forecasted for states across the nation this summer. On Wednesday, June 20, AWWA will host the "Water Matters! Rally" on the West Front Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the world's largest rally in promotion of safe, affordable drinking water. Government leaders including USEPA Administrator Gov. Christie Whitman are scheduled to attend.

Source: AWWA

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