Q&A: The Water Quality Association's 2024 Convention

Moore: This is going to be a fun one! We’re celebrating WQA’s 50th anniversary, we’re celebrating the power of "crazy ideas" with an amazing keynote speaker, and we’re celebrating all the things that keep people coming back to our conventions year after year — the education sessions, the Expo and the great networking and collaborative opportunities. 

Any changes from last year? 

Our convention keynote speaker Kyle Scheele is leading us in a special challenge this year – “Anything but a Cup.” Rather than drinking from a boring, predictable, standard-edition water glass, we’re asking people to quench their thirst using the craziest drinking vessels they can imagine. We want people to share photos and videos of their creations leading up to convention. Then, while we’re in Orlando, we’ll be handing out prizes to those who take on the challenge.  

I know it sounds crazy, and maybe a little silly, but the whole point is to generate excitement around the convention and to raise awareness about WQA in general. Later, we can use the fun photos and videos as a way to talk about how while it was fun coming up with crazy non-cups, what’s more important is what goes IN those vessels! 

The whole exercise will be a fun demonstration of Kyle’s keynote address on how to energize and engage people and spark creativity and innovation. We’ll tie it all together for you at the keynote session! 

I’ve already started looking around my house and office for the best alternative drinking vessels, and I’ll be using them in Orlando. What will you bring? I can’t wait to see! 

Is there a theme for the 2024 convention? If so, what is it? 

The theme this year — "Catalyst" —  is one of my favorites yet! We see our convention as a catalyst for growth of individuals, large and small businesses, and the industry as a whole. I have spoken a lot over the last year about opportunity and collaboration to ignite the spark for the industry. Our colleagues enjoy bouncing ideas off each other, picking each others’ brains and learning and growing, and that’s exactly what we do at convention! 

What will be some of the biggest topics you expect to be discussed at the convention? 

Interest in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to grow, so we have sessions on PFAS removal and mitigation in landfills, among others. In addition, the WQRF Symposium on March 4 will address PFAS in detail along with conversations on other emerging contaminants. 

Through our "Crazy Idea" — Anything but a Cup — and our keynote speaker Kyle Scheele, we’ll explore the idea of creativity as a business skill that can be developed in yourself and your teammates. I know I am excited to turn off the day-to-day and get creative! 

We’re offering education sessions in technical tracks geared to three levels of learners, from those new to the industry to those seeking to advance their skills to handle commercial applications. We also offer a business operations track and two other pre-convention education opportunities: the popular RO Sizing Workshop and the WQA Business Boot Camp, a day set aside for water treatment dealers to learn the business skills they need to elevate their businesses. 

What are you most looking forward to about this year's convention?  

This is an easy one: I’m looking forward to welcoming my friends and colleagues to my home state of Florida! There is so much opportunity at the convention and I am thrilled we are bringing it back to my home state for everyone, but especially for my Florida colleagues. We’ll be celebrating 50 years of WQA history and talking about an undoubtedly bright future at the same time. We really have a great event planned this year that no one should miss.  

And I’m really, really looking forward to all those genius "Anything but a Cup" ideas.  

Are there any goals you have during your time as president you'd like to share? 

I’ve been focusing on industry support like the WQA Code of Ethics and WQA Mentorship programs. I asked us to prove with our actions — in addition to our words — that we are trustworthy, are professional, and uphold high standards and principles. These actions help us be trusted resources for people seeking high quality water for their homes or businesses. The more educated we become, through mentorship programs or elsewhere, and the more we understand how to follow the code of ethics, the better our industry is. Over the last year I have had great conversations with our membership on the value this focus brings to our members, and we have received so much support in continuing to drive awareness of the value of ethics.  

The industry is changing, so I have been especially passionate about ensuring that we continue to understand the value we provide as an association to each and every member. We continue to work on initiatives to increase that value exponentially.   

Anything else you'd like to add? 

If you’ve never attended the WQA Convention & Exposition, why not? If you are in Florida, you can’t miss this event, and I would highly encourage dealers to come a day early for Boot Camp. The convention is truly an eye-opening event that shows the full scope and impact of our industry. This is the year to be there! And if you’ve attended many times, you’ll still find something new and inspiring — and I’m not just talking about Anything but a Cup when I say that. See you there!