2024 Water Summit Agenda
Monday, September 9
All times are Pacific Standard
Registration and Vendor Hall Open in Pacific Foyer
General Session will take place in Pacific Ballroom
10:00 a.m. – Registration & Vendor Hall Open
10:00 a.m. – Registration & Vendor Hall Open
Pacific Foyer
12:00 - 2:00 p.m. – Networking Session
Bayview Terrace
2:00 p.m. - Summit Kickoff
2 p.m. – Summit Kickoff
2:15 p.m. – Workshop: The Return Fire
2:15 p.m. – Interactive Workshop: The Return Fire
Research shows that opinions on water service can be moved with effective messaging. Join us for an interactive workshop on how best to address concerns about the U.S. water grid and refocus customers’ attention on the reality that NAWC member companies provide a product that is not only safe and reliable, but superior to other options.
Discussion Leader:
Mark Weaver, Communications Counsel
Featuring:
Commissioner Thomas J. Gleeson, Chair, Public Utility Commission of Texas
3:30 p.m. – Keynote Address
3:15 p.m. – Keynote Address
4:15 P.M. – Cybersecurity Roundtable
4:15 P.M. – Cybersecurity Roundtable
The cyber threats to the nation’s water and wastewater systems continue to evolve. As an industry, we recognize that if a water source or an industrial control system is compromised, there could be huge public health outcomes to a community – not to mention interruptions in service. Join us for a roundtable discussion on the latest.
Moderator:
Commissioner Gabriel Aguilera, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
Panelists:
Douwe Busschops, Deputy Chief Information Officer, Veolia North America
Aaron Dombrowski, Cybersecurity Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) & Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Region 9
Georgia Simpson, VP – Information Technology & Chief Technology Officer, Middlesex Water
Monday, September 10 - Reception
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception
Bayview Ballroom
Grab your wingman and get ready… “It’s time for the big one!” Join us for a reception under the San Diego sunset as we kick off the 2024 Water Summit.
Tuesday, September 10
Registration and Vendor Hall Open in Pacific Foyer
All General Session panels will take place in Pacific Ballroom
7:30- 9:00 A.M. – WOMEN IN WATER BREAKFAST
Balboa AB (4th Floor)
Remarks by:
Cheryl Norton, Executive VP and COO, American Water
Commissioner Maida J. Coleman, Missouri Public Service Commission
9:00 A.M. – WELCOME REMARKS
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, President of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), North Dakota Public Service Commission
7:30 A.M. – 9 A.M. – BREAKFAST FOR ATTENDEES
Bayview Ballroom
Tuesday, September 10
9:20 A.M. – BEST PRACTICES FOR LOW-INCOME WATER ASSISTANCE
The relationship between those that provide vital drinking water and wastewater disposal and customers that rely on these services is an important one. Connect with industry leaders about the best practices for customer-centric policies for low-income assistance and rates that is positive and data-driven.
Moderator:
Chris Franklin, Chairman and CEO, Essential
Panelists:
Chelsie Carter, Director, Customer Experience, Central States Water Resources
Juliet Ellis, Head of Utilities and Government Practice, Promise Pay
Commissioner Angie Hatton, Chair, Kentucky Service Commission
Commissioner Karen Douglas, California Public Utilities Commission
10:20 A.M. – MISSION SUCCESS & SURVIVAL
10:20 A.M. – MISSION SUCCESS & SURVIVAL
Water system fragmentation often increases costs and decreases water quality, perpetuating environmental injustice and causing disproportionate harm to low-income communities. Join us for a conversation about coordination and consolidation and the role it plays in the future of U.S. water.
Moderator:
Commissioner Darcie Houck, California Public Utilities Commission
Panelists:
Laurel Firestone, Member, State Water Resources Control Board
Salvador Melendez, Mayor Pro Tempore – Councilmember District 3, City of Montebello
Bob Nicholson, President, San Gabriel Valley Water Company
Jessi Snyder, Director of Community Development, Self Help Enterprises
11:20 A.M. – NETWORKING BREAK & VENDOR HALL OPEN
11:20 A.M. – NETWORKING BREAK AND VENDOR HALL OPEN
Pacific Foyer
11:40 a.m. - Ready for our Message
11:40 a.m. – Ready for Our Message
From PFAS to microplastics, from drought to deferred maintenance, confronting America’s water challenges will be a complex and expensive undertaking for our industry. The good news is that the people we serve are ready for us to act. New research from Veolia shows that most Americans are worried about how climate change and similar environmental threats will affect them personally — and they’re willing to make changes to address them. Learn what the research shows about the value of our common task, and how it can feed your efforts to build public support for our vital work.
Presenter:
Abbey Barksdale, Vice President of Business Development, Veolia North America, Municipal Water Utility Division
12:00 P.M.- 1:15 P.M. – LUNCH FOR ATTENDEES
12:00 P.M.- 1:15 P.M. – LUNCH FOR ATTENDEES
Bayview Ballroom
Living Water Award
NAWC Annual Members Meeting
Raise a Glass: Safe Drinking Water Act 50th Anniversary
1:30 P.M. – DEALING WITH THE DANGERS
1:30 P.M. – DEALING WITH THE DANGERS
More and more headlines are warning of the presence of “forever chemicals” in our drinking water. The EPA’s decision to establish a national standard for addressing these harmful chemicals in our drinking water provides clarity to all utilities, their customers and states, while placing all water in the same boat to navigate these uncharted waters. Let’s break down how we protect customers now – and in the future – from not only these substances, but also from the billions of dollars it will cost to clean them up.
Moderator:
Christine Keck, Vice President of National Government and Regulatory Affairs, American Water
Panelists:
Bruno Pigott, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Environmental Protection Agency
Adam Redding, Technical Director-Drinking Water Solutions, Calgon Carbon Corporation
Commissioner Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Shawn Bunting, SVP & General Counsel, California Water Service
2:30 P.M. – Finding and Developing the Best of the Best
2:30 P.M. – Finding and Developing the Best of the Best
Not long ago, the utility industry was the gold standard career path for skilled workers. As those workers are now retiring or planning to retire shortly, the industry faces a shortage of skilled workers. The water utility industry needs to make some big changes, fast, to avoid unprecedented economic repercussions. Join us as industry experts share their perspectives on how we can develop the skills and supply population for right-now solutions for generations to come.
Moderator:
Commissioner John Mitchell, Missouri Public Service Commission
Panelists:
Ron Webb, Vice President, Chief Human Resource Officer, California Water Service
Brian Csizmadia, Director of Human Resources, Aquarion Water
Robert Scott Jr, President, BAYWORK
Kim Stoll, VP of Sales and Marketing, Badger Meter
3:15 P.M. – NETWORKING BREAK & VENDOR HALL OPEN
3:15 P.M. – NETWORKING BREAK AND VENDOR HALL OPEN
Pacific Foyer
3:30 P.M. – IT’S CLASSIFIED
3:30 P.M. – IT’S CLASSIFIED
Join us for the staple of the Water Summit – the Commissioner and NAWC Member Roundtable. It’s an opportunity for a candid conversation about important topics from the perspective of state utility regulators and member companies.
Moderator:
Karine Rougé, CEO, Municipal Water, Veolia North America
Panelists:
Commissioner Anna Tovar, Arizona Corporation Commission
Commissioner John Reynolds, California Public Utility Commission
Commissioner Michael Bange, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
Eric Thornburg, CEO, SJW Group
4:45 P.M.- 6:30 P.M. – SPONSORS RECEPTION (BY INVITATION ONLY)
4:45 P.M.- 6:30 P.M. – Closing Reception
Bayview Ballroom and Terrace
