Exhibit Hall Hours
Monday, June 13 | 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 14 | 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 15 | 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
For the first time in two years, the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE22) will be held in person on June 12-15, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. A hybrid format, dubbed ACE22 Virtual, will also give attendees the option to view conference proceedings online.
The world’s largest and longest-running utility conference in the United States will bring together water professionals from across the globe — including leaders in drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse — to network and learn together during educational workshops, sessions, and facility tours.
The conference features over 80 professional sessions in tracks that include: advances in water treatment, PFAS management, capital improvement projects, climate resilience, lead management, smart water solutions, strengthening public trust, and more. This year’s virtual option will offer over 30 hours of material, covering asset management, infrastructure insights, and utility management.
“We’re ecstatic that we’ll be gathering in-person this year in San Antonio,” says Greg Kail, Director of Communications at AWWA. “That said, we also have a robust, live virtual component to ACE22.”
ACE22 Virtual will offer 26 of the conference’s sessions, including the Opening General Session, at a reduced price.
“More than 30 hours will be presented in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online audience participation,” says Kail. “The virtual sessions will remain available for 30 days following the conference.”
Full conference, in-person attendees will also receive complimentary access to these virtual sessions for 30 days.
Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s Associate Administrator of Science will speak with AWWA CEO David LaFrance at the Opening General Session. Zurbuchen is responsible for NASA’s earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, and astrophysics programs. As part of his work, Zurbuchen helps NASA build partnerships across disciplines to answer humanity’s biggest questions; for the Opening General Session, he will share his perspectives on water as a vital resource.
As usual, AWWA will provide Certificates of Completion for sessions. This year, attendees will need to download and install the AWWA Events mobile app to sign in and out of each session that they attend to receive credit.
The Innovation Hub, sponsored by Isle Utilities at Booth 22079, will feature a wide range of exhibitors and a robust lineup of programming and speakers to showcase emerging technologies and innovation resources.
Back again this year are several of ACE’s popular competitions. The World Water Cup, an international drilling and tapping competition, will hold its finals on Monday from 10:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with an awards ceremony shortly after. On Tuesday, preliminary events for AWWA’s Pipe Tapping, Top Ops, and Hydrant Hysteria competitions will be held, with final rounds taking place on Wednesday.
The ever-popular Tap Water Taste Test competition will pit the winners of AWWA Section taste tests against one another to compete for the titles of “People’s Choice” and “Best of the Best” during the show.
A highlight of this year’s show is the Water Industry Luncheon on Tuesday, which will feature keynote speaker Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, America’s first African American female combat pilot. Armour has received numerous awards as a pioneering pilot for her commanding role in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Preregistration and an additional fee are required to attend this event.
Facility tours (for an additional fee) are also back, offering exciting behind-the-scenes looks at different locations throughout the week, including: San Antonio’s River Flood Tunnel and Flood Management facilities; the Steven M. Clouse Water Recycling Center; the SAWS H2Oaks Center; and the AT&T Lock & Dam along the Museum Reach.
To register or learn more about ACE22, visit the official show website at www.awwa.org/ace. WW
Published in WaterWorld magazine, May 2022.
