ACWA Virtual Spring Conference Still Underway After Technical Difficulties by ACWA Staff May 12, 2021 Water News A catastrophic failure in an outside vendor’s computer server on May 12 forced the delay of ACWA’s 2021 Spring Virtual Conference & Exhibition by one day. The conference is now scheduled to resume on Thursday, May 13, beginning at 9 a.m., with that day’s previously scheduled speakers and programs. Content originally scheduled for May 12 will now instead stream on Friday, May 14. The computer server belongs to innoVia Pro — the outside vendor that specializes in hosting online events that ACWA hired for this conference and three prior virtual events. The server’s failure resulted in many attendees not being able to access content planned for the conference’s opening on May 12. “I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment that this has caused,” ACWA Executive Director Dave Eggerton wrote in an email sent May 12 to all registered attendees. “ACWA staff worked hard to develop informative programs containing valuable information for the water industry, and we still plan to share it with you.” As with past virtual ACWA conferences, registrants will have access to all content for two weeks, or until May 28. Attendees viewing the conference this week, or until May 28, will find a variety of relevant water issues addressed through panels and programs, including water rates, wildfire resilience, PFAS, groundwater management, federal infrastructure investment, water rights during periods of drought, and much more. Thursday, May 13, keynote speakers will include Karla Nemeth, Director of the California Department of Water Resources, and Wade Crowfoot, Secretary of California Natural Resources Agency. Cyber security expert Bob Flores, Founder/President of Applicology Inc., will deliver a keynote address on Friday, May 14. Additionally, ACWA award presentations are still planned, including the Clair A. Hill Agency Award for Excellence and the Excellence in Water Leadership Award on Friday, May 14. The John P. Fraser Water Leaders Fellowship and undergraduate scholarship winners will be announced on Thursday, May 13.
