Dear Colleagues and Friends,
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
On behalf of the American Water Works Association( AWWA), welcome to Washington, D. C., and the Annual Conference & Exposition( ACE26).
Whether this is your first ACE or you are returning as a longtime participant, it is wonderful to have you here. There is something especially energizing about coming together as a water community— sharing ideas, strengthening connections, and recommitting ourselves to the work ahead.
This year’ s conference theme, Water Heroes, honors the people behind our water systems— the operators, engineers, researchers, utility leaders, public officials, and so many others whose dedication keeps water safe, reliable, and sustainable. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but its impact is felt every single day in the communities we serve.
Over the next few days, ACE26 will explore some of the most pressing issues facing our profession, including:
• Infrastructure Management— preserving critical water infrastructure assets through condition assessments, risk management, data-driven budget decisions, and capital planning.
• Water Resources Planning, Protection & Management— advancing strategies to protect and manage water portfolios through conservation, potable reuse, watershed protection, groundwater management, and long-term resilience planning.
• Utility Risk and Resilience— preparing utilities for extreme weather, cyber threats, and other emerging challenges.
• Financial, Management and Legal— navigating funding, bond ratings, regulatory complexity, and the responsibilities facing today’ s utility leaders.
• Water 2050 and the Future of Water— looking ahead to affordability, innovation, workforce development, and community engagement in shaping a secure and sustainable water future.
I encourage you to make the most of your time at ACE by attending sessions, exploring the exposition, and connecting with colleagues from across the field. Some of the most valuable moments at ACE happen in conversation— where innovative approaches are shared, fresh thinking is sparked, and new partnerships begin to take shape.
Thank you for being here, for the work you do, and for the leadership you bring to this profession. I look forward to seeing you throughout the conference.
Sincerely
,
Heather Collins AWWA President ACE26 CONFERENCE | ACE. AWWA. ORG 3