A Preview of Minnesota AWWA's 101st Annual Conference

The Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association’s 101st Annual Conference is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Following last year’s historic celebration of a century, the annual conference continues Minnesota AWWA’s focus on educating attendees on water quality and treatment, public health, and safety. Water professionals from across Minnesota will gather in Duluth from September 12th-15th for a combination of social and educational events dedicated to preserving and protecting our state’s most vital resource...WATER!


The conference, which takes place over the course of four days, kicks off on Tuesday with a day of fun events hosted by the Minnesota AWWA Philanthropic Committee. The events — sporting clays, a golf tournament, and a fishing tournament — are not only sure to inspire some friendly competition, but also raise funds for the life-changing missions of Water for People and the Water Equation.

The conference convenes at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center overlooking the massive and breathtaking Lake Superior. What better backdrop to discuss water than a view of the largest lake in North America! If you’ve attended the conference in the past, you already know that each day is jam-packed with networking and educational events, including workshops and exhibits. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s conference:

Tuesday, September 12:

• Board meetings
• Philanthropic events

Wednesday, September 13:

• Opening sessions with a welcome by Minnesota AWWA Chair Tony Belden, and AWWA President Brenda Lennox
• Keynote speaker Erik Therwanger
• Vendor exhibitions
• Competitions (including Meter Madness, Hydrant Hysteria, Pipe Tapping, and Best In Glass Water Taste Test)
• Water for People silent auction
• The MAC Social at Grandma’s Sports Garden

Thursday, September 14:

• Concurrent technical sessions and speakers
• Annual business meetings and lunch
• Section election results
• AWWA Appreciation Reception and Dinner
• Awards presentation
• Test your knowledge at the Young Professionals Trivia Tournament at Grizzly’s Restaurant

Friday, September 15:

• Technical sessions
• Panel discussion
• Farewell lunch for attendees

Join us in this opportunity to network and learn from the state’s top water professionals at the 101st Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference. You can register here. Remember to get social with us on Facebook and Twitter, and share your conference experiences with us.

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Attendee Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout about the conference on your own social media platforms!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above. Please share your updates, posts and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share updates, stay current during the conference and WIN prizes. There will be a Twitter contest during the conference. Keep an eye out for special offers from local establishments throughout the conference as well.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have any materials to share about the conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4-6ieV83E

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Vendor Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above to advertise your activities, promote your booth/company/services, share updates, posts and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

Here are some example posts to get you started (attach graphics to posts as needed):

• @Minnesota AWWA members - stop by our booth for more information about (insert company description). 
• Attention @Minnesota AWWA members! Pick up your (insert company name) swag at booth # (insert booth number). We can't wait to see you at the 100th Annual Conference!
• @Minnesota AWWA members: Don't be uncouth, visit our booth while you're in Duluth!

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions.

Here are some example tweets to get you started (attach graphics to tweets as needed):

• @MinnesotaAWWA members - make sure to visit our booth at the 100th Annual Conference! #MNAWWA
• We're an official vendor of the 100th Annual #MNAWWA Conference! Get more info here: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz
• We can't wait for the 100th Annual #MNAWWA Conference! @MinnesotaAWWA members, what are you most excited for?

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have you created any photos, graphics, articles, promos or videos for this year's conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd4-6ieV83E

100th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Local Establishment Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Go to the Minnesota AWWA social media sites and follow/connect with us for conference updates.

Please note: To create real/true activity, you MUST do more than follow...please create posts, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

• FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE: http://bit.ly/2bD5ArG
• TWITTER: https://twitter.com/MinnesotaAWWA
• LINKEDIN GROUP: http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above to share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement! Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook page.

Here are some example posts to get you started (attach graphics to posts as needed):

• Welcome @Minnesota AWWA members! Enjoy your 100th Annual Conference (insert special offers for members)
• No water, no beer. @Minnesota AWWA
• Free water for all @Minnesota AWWA attendees!

TWITTER

Use the official 100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.

Here are some example tweets to get you started (attach graphics to tweets as needed):

• Welcome to Duluth for your 100th Annual Conference, @MinnesotaAWWA members! #MNAWWA
• Hey @MinnesotaAWWA members, we'll give you a reason to hydrate! #NoWaterNoBeer #MNAWWA
• Attention @MinnesotaAWWA members! Stop in for (insert specials for members)

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Have you created any special offers, articles or graphics to welcome Minnesota AWWA members to this year's 100th Annual Conference? Send them to jordan@daytamarketing.com and we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

We've also created some material for you to share:

100th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference Blog: http://bit.ly/2bxDefz

The 99th Annual MN American Water Works Association Conference

Join water professionals from across the Midwest at the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association’s (MN AWWA) 99th Annual Conference in historic Duluth, MN on September 16^th-18th. The conference will continue the Minnesota AWWA’s focus on educating attendees on water quality and treatment, and public health, safety, and welfare.

The conference will feature excellent technical sessions from university professors, engineers, and specialists on topics ranging from blending groundwater and surface water, to 3D modeling of water systems, to retrofitting water treatment systems to disinfection using ozone to achieve algal toxin and odor control.

The conference is a four-day event that will take place at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center overlooking the beautiful Lake Superior. With plenty of fantastic lodging options and a bustling scene of delicious restaurants in the immediate vicinity (Canal Park), it won’t be hard to consider attending the Minnesota AWWA as a small reprieve from this past August's heat wave.

A Preview of the Events:

Tuesday: Board Meetings and Water for People for Events (Sporting Clays shooting, Golf and Fishing Tournaments
 

Wednesday: Opening Events, Keynote address, Vendor Exhibitions, Committee Meetings, Best In Glass Water Taste Test, and MAC Social and Water for People Silent Auction
 

Thursday and Friday: Technical Sessions and Speakers, Federal and State Regulatory Updates, Business Lunch & Election, Appreciation Dinner and Awards Presentation

A portion of the conference will be devoted to several competitions and contests including Best in Glass, Pipe Tapping, Meter Madness, and new competition Hydrant Hysteria. Learn more about the competitions on the Minnesota Section website.

The four-day conference will focus on the importance of the various ways we treat and use water and the impact we have on the world’s most important natural resource. Don’t miss the chance to learn from and meet with the region’s top water professionals at the 99^th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference.

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Vendor Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA.  Please Note:  To create true/real activity, you

 MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a pose, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

Social Media	Page Name	Link
Facebook	Minnesota AWWA	http://on.fb.me/1WF5ZaQ
Facebook Event Page	Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference	http://on.fb.me/1NA7qDq
Twitter	Minnesota AWWA	http://bit.ly/1JfWO6p
LinkedIn Group	Minnesota AWWA Events	http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK 

Join the Facebook Event page to advertise your activities, promote your booth/company/services, share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement. Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page

                  Attached graphics for use, please add your logo:

S     @MinnesotaAWWA Members We Can’t Wait To See You In Duluth.

S     @MinnesotaAWWA Attendees Pick Up Your (VENDOR) Swag At Booth#

S     Don’t Be Uncouth; Visit Our Booth; While In Duluth! @MinnesotaAWWA               

TWITTER      

Use the official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.

S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members! Visit Booth XXX #MNAWWA                 

S     @MinnesotaAWWA! We Are An Official Sponsor!

S     @MinnesotaAWWA Members What Are You Most Excited at #MNAWWA?           

LINKEDIN GROUP

Are you presenting, participating in a competition event and/or exhibiting? Join Minnesota AWWA Events and share your topic/story/title to create discussion.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Want assistance?  We can help! Please share any materials you create nathan@daytamarketing.com; we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog http://bit.ly/1NuRORD

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Local Establishment Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT WITH US!

Follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA.  Please Note:  To create true/real activity, you

 MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a pose, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

Social Media	Page Name	Link
Facebook	Minnesota AWWA	http://on.fb.me/1WF5ZaQ
Facebook Event Page	Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference	http://on.fb.me/1NA7qDq
Twitter	Minnesota AWWA	http://bit.ly/1JfWO6p
LinkedIn Group	Minnesota AWWA Events	http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Shout out to attendees and vendors! Create activity! The more the merrier!

FACEBOOK 

Join the Facebook Event page to share updates, posts, special offers, promotions for dinner specials, tag vendors/conference attendees and please share your excitement. Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page

                  Attached graphics for use:

S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members!      (add member specials)

S     No water, No beer. @Minnesota AWWA                                                                  

S     @Minnesota AWWA FREE water for all attendees!                                                

TWITTER      

Use the official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag #MNAWWA to share promotions and specials.

S     Welcome @MinnesotaAWWA Members!                                                                 

S     @MinnesotaAWWA! We’ll have a reason to hydrate.  #NoWaterNoBeer    

S     @MinnesotaAWWA! Stop in for…..               (add member specials)          

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

Want assistance?  We can help! Please share any materials you create nathan@daytamarketing.com; we will be glad to advertise and share your excitement!

2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog

http://bit.ly/1NuRORD

99th Annual MN AWWA Conference: Attendee Toolkit

Join Us in a SOCIAL TOAST to the

99th Annual Minnesota AWWA Conference!

STEP ONE: CONNECT!

Go to social sites to follow/connect with the Minnesota AWWA for conference updates. 

Please Note:  Social media policies have changed. To create true/real activity, you MUST do more than follow…..  Please create a post, like, share, comment, tweet, retweet, etc.

Social Media	Page Name	Link
Facebook	Minnesota AWWA	http://on.fb.me/1WF5ZaQ
Facebook Event Page	Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference	http://on.fb.me/1NA7qDq
Twitter	Minnesota AWWA	http://bit.ly/1JfWO6p
LinkedIn Group	Minnesota AWWA Events	http://bit.ly/1TTx6jo

STEP TWO: GET ACTIVE!

Let’s create activity!

FACEBOOK

Join the Facebook Event page referenced above. Please share your updates, posts and your excitement. We will be sharing vendor updates and offers from local establishments.

REMEMBER: Use @ in your posts to tag the @Minnesota AWWA Facebook Page.

TWITTER

The official Minnesota AWWA conference hashtag is #MNAWWA.  Use it to share updates and stay current during the conference and WIN PRIZES. We plan to conduct a Social Toast LIVE Twitter Contest during the conference.  There will also be special offers from local establishment throughout the conference.

LINKEDIN GROUP

Are you presenting, participating in a competition event and/or exhibiting? Join Minnesota AWWA Events and share your story and create discussion.

STEP THREE: HELP US HELP YOU!

We’ve created materials for you to share. Any materials you create, please send them to us at nathan@daytamarketing.com. We will help advertise and share your excitement! 

2015 Minnesota AWWA Annual Conference Blog

http://bit.ly/1NuRORD

Surface Water Treatment Workshop 2014

Starting Tuesday, April 29, 2014, Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota American Water Works Association chapters gather in Fargo to kick-off the 2014 Surface Water Treatment Workshop (SWTW).

The SWTW is a three-day workshop that covers current and future issues surrounding all things water. Industry professionals, scientists, and operators alike gather to discuss issues that range from optimization and treatment to technology and case studies. 

Surface water is becoming an alarming issue due to rooftops, roads, parking lots, driveways and other impenetrable surfaces no longer allow rainwater to be absorbed into the ground; rainfall becomes a dangerous runoff. Elements such as trash, chemicals, oil, fertilizers and animal waste all have effects on the quality of water, and once these are exposed will affect the quality of water. These elements all contribute to the degradation of water quality all over the world.

To effectively prevent surface water degradation and pollution, it is critical to come up with advanced solutions and systems to prevent further harm to waterways. This event will cover strategies, case studies, effects of impact and advancements that deal with surface water-related concerns and issues.

Members and employees of AE2S will act as the event’s keynote speakers. AE2S is an environmental and civil engineering consulting firm based out of North Dakota that specializes in electrical, structural and water services. AE2S’ CEO Steve Burian just recently participated in, and won “Dancing with the Special Stars,” to help support North Dakota Special Olympics. 

On Tuesday, April 9, as part of the SWTW '14 event, k-12 students submitted posters were featured along with the three selected winners of the poster contest. The poster contest’s key message this year was “Trust the Tap,” educating younger generations of the safety and convenience of tap water over bottled, and learning more about public and private water issues. Over 900 submissions were submitted by students of all ages throughout the state of Minnesota.

The three-day event will conclude with a facility tour of Fargo’s Ground Storage Reservoir, Moorhead Public Service Red River Pumping Station and Industrial Treatment Facility (Fargo Brewing Company). Pre-registration is required to attend tours and a lunch will be provided.

AWWA gives you the information and resources you need to deliver safe water to the world. Since its inception in 1881, AWWA has provided the information and leadership needed to advance policies that protect the public’s health. Becoming a member of AWWA is easy and has many benefits. As a member, you will enjoy access to technical resources, networking opportunities, advocacy efforts, career development resources, and more!

March Review: Tips to Save Water All Year Long

March was a busy time for the water industry. The Clean Water Act turned 40-years-old, the U.S. EPA hunted down loose faucets and leaks for a week, and March 22nd was World Water Day.

The Safe Drinking Water Act, established in 1974, helped to establish a set of national standards and regulations for all public water suppliers. The federal government provided leadership and funding to help states nationwide to help meet these standards. These nationwide standards help regulate states by meeting federal standards. Minnesota has always had strict water standards even before the federal mandate was issued. This act ensures safety procedures carried out by water suppliers and water treatment facilities. The water has been tested, it is safe to drink, and it has met the standards of the SWDA. 

Walter Mondale, who was U.S. Vice President when the act was passed, said, “Safe drinking water is almost the first requirement of a prosperous community.”

More than 97% of Minnesota water supplies meet all Safe Water Drinking Act standards.

The U.S. EPA, partnering with Water Sense, chased household water-wasters down for a week to reduce annual household waste in its “Fix a Leak Week”. The focus was to reduce household leaks that annually contribute to over one trillion gallons of water wasted nationwide. By fixing or repairing simple maintenances, for instance, a dripping faucet, a running toilet and other leaky valves, it will reduce the cost of water consumption while promoting sustainability.

Tips to Help Save Water Year-round 
· Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
· Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
· Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 15 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
· Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

The UN System raised awareness of the inter-dependency between water and energy on March 22, titled World Water Day. This awareness event reached over 700 million worldwide, highlighting the importance and necessity of clean sources of drinking water in areas that need it most. 

Without water, there would be no life. That is why it is essential for our industry to keep growing, thriving from new innovations, to provide a healthy and dependable resource to those who matter most: you.

Cheers!