The Water Environment Federation Returns to L.A. for 84th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference October 15-19

Los Angeles will host the largest and most significant water quality event in North America when the Water Environment Federation (WEF) convenes for its 84^th Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), October 15-19. The event, with an anticipated attendance of more than 17,000 and a total of 32,000 room nights reserved, will have a significant impact citywide with nearly $30 million in revenue.

“We’re extremely pleased to welcome WEF back to Los Angeles,” said Mark Liberman, president and CEO of LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This global group of distinguished water quality professionals will get to experience a revitalized Los Angeles — a city that has significantly changed since they last convened here in 2003. Since the rebirth of Downtown L.A., our office is fielding calls from associations wanting to return to L.A. for their annual conventions.”

Founded in 1928 with a mission to preserve and enhance the global water environment, WEF — a nonprofit educational organization made up of 36,000 international water quality professionals — provides access to the latest in water quality development, research, regulations, solutions and cutting-edge technology.

Touted as the largest annual event for water quality professionals in the world, delegates will be making the pilgrimage from as far away as Asia. Keynote speakers include Dr. Rita Colwell, a distinguished professor from the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Colwell, who will address the delegates during the Opening General Session, is a world-renowned expert on waterborne diseases and the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Stockholm Water Prize. Doc Hendley, founder and president of Wine to Water, a nonprofit aid organization focused on providing clean water to needy people worldwide and a 2009 CNN Hero, will take to the podium as well.

Delegates will be divided among several Downtown L.A. properties as well as hotels in Hollywood and the Westside. In addition, those attending will have an opportunity to tour some of L.A.’s local facilities, such as the city’s sewer system and the Terminal Island Water Reclamation Plant. In the evening, attendees and their spouses can enjoy the dining and entertainment opportunities at LA LIVE, Hollywood & Highland or Universal Studios Hollywood and its famed CityWalk.

“Los Angeles was recently awarded the 2011 U.S. Water Prize from the Clean Water America Alliance for Integrated Water Resource Plan, so it seems apropos that our organization would hold its annual convention in L.A. The LEED-EB Gold Certified Los Angeles Convention Center fits well with our conference mission to provide a forum for knowledge and exchange within the water and wastewater fields,” said Jeanette Brown, president of WEF. “Los Angeles has undergone the most remarkable transition since our last convention was held here in 2003. There are so many incredible restaurants, entertainment venues and wonderful cultural institutions coupled with beautiful open spaces to walk around and enjoy.”

The Water Environment Federation’s Annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC), which proves to be one of the city’s most important conventions of the year, gets underway at the LACC October 15-19. More than 17,000 national and international delegates are expected to attend. WEFTEC offers an unparalleled opportunity to view the latest technologies and services for water environment preservation, restoration, and sustainability. This year’s conference is expected to feature 1,000 exhibiting companies who will occupy all three halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

WEFTEC’s educational offerings range from basic training to cutting-edge research and in-depth discussion of critical water policy issues. The WEFTEC 2011 technical program, which features a special technical session devoted entirely to California water issues, currently includes more than 100 presentations in 114 technical sessions, 35 workshops and eight local facility tours, including a special hands-on workshop at the Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. This facility and the Los Angeles-Glendale Reclamation Plant are the leading producers of reclaimed water in the San Fernando Valley. The special technical session will feature presentations and papers by top regional experts on a range of innovative water reuse projects such as groundwater replenishment, desalination, and wastewater recycling. For more information about WEFTEC, visit www.weftec.org.

LA INC. The Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit business association whose primary mission is to market and promote Los Angeles as the premier site for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. Though not part of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city’s official tourism marketing organization. For more information, visit the official visitor information website of Los Angeles at www.discoverLosAngeles.com.

For more information on Los Angeles visit www.discoverLosAngeles.com.