Popularity of ACWA Events Growing by Dave Eggerton Mar 17, 2023 Voices on Water The phenomenal success of our recent ACWA D.C. Conference proved once again that demand for our programs is off the charts. You could just look at the record attendance, which was unprecedented and reached maximum capacity for this event at 142 registrants. But from a personal perspective, it’s the positive energy we all experience during ACWA events that reflect their true value. And that was no different in our nation’s capital between Feb. 28 and March 2. We were able to host our first in-person Congressional speech program since the 2020 D.C. Conference. More than a half-dozen members of the California Congressional Delegation joined us and shared their viewpoints. Attendees also heard directly from top leadership at the Department of Interior, including U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton and Interior’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Gary Gold, who briefed us on the latest work in addressing drought and climate change on the federal side. Visits on the Hill with members of Congress and their staff, as well as officials within the Biden Administration, proved to be very insightful and productive. Having so many ACWA leaders in Washington at the same time demonstrates our commitment as stewards of California’s water, as well as the high value we place on collaboration with our federal partners and congressional delegation members. It was truly an exceptional event, made possible by the hard work of our staff at ACWA East and our Events’ team in Sacramento and made memorable by all who attended. Thank you! ACWA is now ramping up for our Legislative Symposium in Sacramento March 23 and ACWA’s 2023 Spring Conference & Expo in May. The Legislative Symposium will feature panel discussions on infrastructure funding and permitting, the latter of which will focus on ACWA’s sponsored bill, SB 23 (Caballero), that would expedite the permitting process for water supply development and flood risk reduction projects. As with the D.C. Conference, the Legislative Symposium offers our members an opportunity to connect with state legislators and their staff as we embark on what will likely prove an extremely consequential legislative year. Meanwhile, our May 9-11 Spring Conference in Monterey is rapidly shaping up to become another blockbuster event, with registrations approaching capacity. If you haven’t already done so, please visit our website to learn more and register. Like the D.C. Conference and Legislative Symposium, the Spring Conference will present an ideal opportunity for learning, networking and building upon the collaborative strength that underpins the effectiveness of our association. We can also look forward to a year of ACWA region events throughout the state. These give leadership and staff at our member agencies a chance to visit their fellow association members outside of their area, which is a great opportunity to see fresh examples of water management innovation at work. Our first such event, the Region 9 Salton Sea Tour, on March 27 is sold-out. However, keep an eye on our events page at www.acwa.com for upcoming region events this summer and fall. Given the nature of our work in California water, by Spring Conference we could be contending with all manner of challenges that will make March seem like distant history. The outcome of a wild winter of one atmospheric river after another plowing through California, along with quickly developing issues within the legislative and regulatory spheres, will give us plenty to talk about in Monterey. I look forward to seeing you there! .
