Water Environment Federation Convenes in New Orleans for WEFTEC® 2010, October 2-6

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2010

Water Environment Federation Convenes in New Orleans for
WEFTEC® 2010, October 2-6
Community Service event in Lower Ninth Ward includes a water carnival for locals as well as the construction of a Bioswale, to help limit overland flooding

WHAT: 83rd Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2010)

WHERE: New Orleans Morial Convention Center (NOMCC)

WHEN: October 2-6, 2010

DETAILS: WEFTEC 2010, the largest annual water quality conference and exhibition in the world, will take place in New Orleans October 2-6, at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. Featuring the latest research, training, solutions and cutting-edge technologies in the water quality field, the technical program includes 112 technical sessions, 33 workshops and several key events with high-profile speakers. Thousands of water professionals and nearly 1,000 top water companies from around the world are expected to attend.

This weekend, in coordination with Global Green and Groundwork New Orleans, attendees will participate in a community service project, “Bioswales in the Bayou.” Managed by WEF’s Students and Young Professionals Committee (SYPC), “Bioswales in the Bayou” will include the construction of a bioswale in the Lower Ninth Ward, which will help limit overland flooding by retaining storm water runoff while removing silt and pollution.

In addition, a special water carnival will be offered for residents from 10 a.m.-2 p.m, providing hands-on activities and information to the community regarding sustainable neighborhoods, water quality, wastewater treatment and other environmental issues. Local schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and other after school programs have also been invited. Each student will be given a “passport” to travel around to each booth and learn about the water and environment in their community.

Formed in 1928, WEF is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment.

WEF’s last meeting in New Orleans was in 2004, and with thousands of water professionals expected to attend, this year’s meeting is set to generate more than $11 million in economic impact. New Orleans is on rotation to host WEF multiple times between now and 2020.

WEBSITES: www.weftec.org and www.wef.org

MAJOR EVENTS*:

• Sat, Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.: “Bioswales in the Bayou” – Community service project. Opening Ceremony and Groundbreaking featuring representatives from WEF and local dignitaries, including Charles E. Allen III, Director of New Orleans Mayor Landrieu’s Office of Environmental Affairs. Corner of Andry and N. Peters Streets in the Holy Cross neighborhood, Lower Ninth Ward
  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Water festival.
• Mon, Oct. 4, 8:30-9:30 a.m.: Opening General Session featuring a keynote presentation from Steven Solomon, an esteemed economics journalist and author of Water: The Epic Struggle for Wealth, Power, and Civilization. Auditorium, NOMCC
• Mon, Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m.-Noon: Featured Session: “National Environmental Priorities” featuring U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator, Robert Perciasepe discussing potential topics, such as the agency’s response to the 2010 Gulf oil spill and more. Room 256, NOMCC
• Mon, Oct 4, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Luncheon featuring professor at the University of New Orleans, Dr. Alex McCorquodale, discussing environmental problems associated with introducing Mississippi River water into the coastal wetlands. Room 260, NOMCC
• Tues, Oct 5, 8 a.m.-Noon: Featured Session: Deepwater Horizon: Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Response and its Effects on the Water Environment - High profile speakers from federal, state and local agencies, including invited New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, will share their experiences and discuss the way our country views and deals with these types of emergencies, including the overall coordination of response efforts and the short- and long-term effects on the environment. Room 347, NOMCC
  • Confirmed speakers include: Secretary Peggy Hatch from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality; Dr. Deborah French McCay from Applied Science Associates, Inc., on behalf of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Mayor Connie Moran of the City of Ocean Springs, Miss.; Dr. David Keith from Anchor QEA, an environmental science and engineering firm that focuses on shoreline and river projects; Thomas A. Holden Jr., P.E. from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District; and Tom Brosnan from NOAA.

*Complimentary registration is available for credentialed media representatives.

EXHIBIT HALL: Halls C-J
HOURS:
Mon, Oct. 4-Wed, Oct. 6: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

PRESS OFFICE: Hall G/H, Room 269
PHONE: 703-216-8565
HOURS:
Sun, Oct. 3-Tues, Oct. 5: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wed, Oct. 6: 8:30 a.m.-Noon

MEDIA CONTACTS:
WEF: Lori Harrison, 703-216-8565, lharrison@wef.org
New Orleans CVB: Tara Letort, 504-566-5019, tletort@neworleanscvb.com; Kelly Schulz, 504-421-0962, kschulz@neworleanscvb.com
NOMCC: Rosalie Mortillaro, 504-582-3027, rmortillaro@mccno.com

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