Adele Rucker is the RMWQAA President and Lab Manager at South Platte Renew.

“From emerging leaders to seasoned changemakers, more than 23,000 water professionals come to WEFTEC each year to share ideas, spark innovation, and move the industry forward.

• 1,000+ exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies, solutions, and services
• World-class education through technical sessions, workshops, and facility tours
• Unmatched networking, receptions, and live competitions that make WEFTEC a true experience

Everything you need, all in one place. More than a conference — WEFTEC is where the water community connects."

This quote is from the landing page from WEF’s website for WEFTEC, the Water Environment Federation’s Technical Exhibition and Conference. This large annual conference features presentations about anything and everything water related. I had the privilege of attending again this year. Here are four reasons you should attend next year:

Operations Challenge

Five teams from the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association (RMWEA) competed in the Ops Challenge at WEFTEC this year. Our member association (MA) continues to dominate the competition. The dedication to our industry shines on a national stage. We have six teams and all of them will be competing at WEFTEC in 2027. 

Exposition

With over 1,000 exhibitors at the expo this year there is an exciting trend emerging: 9 utilities had booths at the expo this year, which is triple the number from last year. This is our industry, and we should be represented at a conference that highlights what we do every day. I cannot forget to mention the giveaways: conference socks, hot sauce, bound notebooks, and a periodic table lanyard (I had to have one)! WEFTEC is a Swagtastic Swagvaganza!

Technical Sessions

If it is related to water, there is a technical session about it at WEFTEC. Along with facility tours WEFTEC offers education and a variety of solutions to problems faced by the entire industry. Education, idea exchanges, connections, and networking are available for everyone.

Lab Practices Community

WEF has a lab practices community. The committee holds a meeting at WEF each year. This is a great opportunity to gather with lab workers from across the nation to collaborate and share ideas.

Did you know that RMWEA offers a scholarship for members to attend WEFTEC? Many RMWQAA members are RMWEA members as well. This is a potential source of funding if you would like to attend WEFTEC and your employer did not or will not allocate travel in the budget next year.

Here’s my summary; attend WEFTEC if you are interested in professional development, industry learning, networking, and watching our talented operations challenge teams competing on a national level.

Excerpts taken from Water Environment Federation, WEF, www.wef.org and RMWEA, rmwea.org