WEFTEC 2023 Member Association Events

As you plan your WEFTEC schedule, Member Association (MA) Leaders may wish to attend numerous events of specific interest to MA Leaders listed below.  We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

| FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 |

Water Palooza
Ole A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy
Friday, September 29 from 7:00am - 4:00pm at Ole A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy.
Address:  6024 W Warwick Ave, Chicago, IL 60634. E-mail Ama Richardson by 9/1 to volunteer.
*WEF Staff: Ama Richardson

 | SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 |

WEF Service Project – “Today’s Water Students, Tomorrow’s Water Leaders”
Ole A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy
Saturday, September 30, from 8:00am – 4:00pm at Ole A. Thorp Elementary Scholastic Academy.
Address:  6024 W. Warwick Ave, Chicago, IL 60634
*WEF Staff Ama Richardson

Registered volunteers should report to the transportation area by 8:00 AM.  Buses to the project site depart from the Hilton Chicago’s 8th Street South entrance starting at 8:30 AM. Buses will arrive back at the convention center around 4:00pm.

For those going to Jammin’ 4 Water, coordinate independent rides/carpool.

House of Delegates Breakfast
Continental C – Lobby Level, Hilton Chicago
8:00 – 9:30 am
*WEF Staff Kelsey Hurst manages all HOD events

House of Delegates Meeting
Continental AB – Lobby Level, Hilton Chicago
9:40 am – 10:30 am

House of Delegates Strategic Planning Kick-Off
Continental AB – Lobby Level, Hilton Chicago
10:35am – 12:00 pm

House of Delegates Luncheon
Continental C - Lobby Level, Hilton Chicago
12:00 – 1:00 pm

House of Delegates Workgroup Breakout A       
Williford A – 3rd Floor, Hilton Chicago
1:00 – 2:45 pm

House of Delegates Workgroup Breakout B
Williford B – 3rd Floor, Hilton Chicago
1:00 – 2:45 pm

House of Delegates Workgroup Breakout C
Williford C – 3rd Floor, Hilton Chicago
1:00 – 2:45 pm

Blessings in a Backpack Volunteer Activity
3:00 - 4:00 pm | Hilton Chicago | Buckingham Room

WEF Leaders Reception (private by invitation)
Hilton Chicago, Waldorf Room 3rd floor
6:00 – 7:30 pm

 | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 |

Student Design Competition – Wastewater Division
McCormick Center, S102b, Level 1
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
*WEF Staff Brad Lovett

Student Design Competition – Water Environment Division
McCormick Center, 103b, Level 1
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
*WEF Staff Brad Lovett

PDH's are available for WEF members attending Student Design Competition! 27 teams representing 25 schools from 20 Member Associations and 3 Countries will compete in 2 divisions all day. Refer to the full presentation schedule in the WEFTEC program.

The MAs will find this compelling & helpful for their members.

MA Leaders Forum
Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RFJX9T7
Hilton Chicago, Continental C, Lobby Level
9:00 – 11:00 am
*WEF Staff Dianne Crilley

House of Delegates and Committee Leadership Council Joint Activity
Hilton Chicago, Continental AB, Lobby Level
11:00 - 12:30 pm
*WEF Staff Kelsey Hurst and Aisha Morrow

Operations Challenge
McCormick Center, Booth 7006, North Hall B
11:30 am – 4:30 pm
*WEF Staff Steve Harrison

WEFMAX Community Meeting
Hilton Chicago, Williford Room, 3rd floor
1:00  – 2:30 pm
*WEF Staff Dianne Crilley

Student Design Competition: Process Challenge
McCormick Center, S104, Level 1
3:00 – 5:00 pm
*WEF Staff Brad Lovett

Student Design Competition Team Photos and Awards Reception
McCormick Center, S102b, Level 1
5:00 – 6:30 pm
*WEF Staff Brad Lovett

| MONDAY, OCTOBER 2 |

Opening General Session
McCormick Center, Ballroom S100
8:30 – 9:30 am

Operations Challenge Process Event
McCormick Center, Booth 7006, North Hall B
9:30 – 11:00 am
*WEF Staff Steve Harrison

WEFTEC 101: First Time Orientation
McCormick Center, S102b, Level1
10:00 – 11:15 am

Student Chapter Meeting
McCormick Center, Room S103b - Level 1
10:00 – 11:00 am
*WEF Staff Brad Lovett

Operations Challenge Laboratory Event
McCormick Center, Booth 7006, North Hall B
11:00 am – 4:30 pm
*WEF Staff Steve Harrison

Students and Young Professionals Community Meeting
McCormick Center, S103b, Level 1
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
*WEF Staff Ama Richardson and Brad Lovett

Government Affairs Committee Member Association Meeting
McCormick Center, N226, Level 2
10:00 – 11:00 am
*WEF Staff Steve Dye and Amy Kathman

Member Association Staff Meeting  (private invite)
McCormick Center, N230b, Level 2, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
*WEF Staff Dianne Crilley

Member Association Staff Luncheon (private invite)
McCormick Center, S103a, Level 1
12:15 – 2:00 pm
*WEF Staff Dianne Crilley

Student and Young Professionals Community Mentorship Program (private)
McCormick Center, N228, Level 1
3:00 – 4:00 pm
* WEF Staff: Ama Richardson

Canadian Affairs Council Meeting (by invitation only)
McCormick Center, S102a, Level 1
3:30 – 5:00 pm
* WEF Staff: Renee Kayal and Ama Richardson

WEF Member Mixer
Membership Booth McCormick Place, Grand Concourse Lobby - North Hall B
4:00 - 5:00 pm
This is a WEF member-only reception
WEF Staff: Spencer Brignac

| TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 |

Operations Challenge Collections, Safety and Vaughan Maintenance Events
McCormick Center, Booth 7006, North Hall B
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
*WEF Staff Steve Harrison

WEF Awards and Presidential Celebration Blue Carpet Reception
McCormick Place, Foyer of Ballroom S100, Level 1
4:00 – 4:45 pm
*WEF Staff Rebecca Culhane manages the awards program

WEF Awards and Presidential Celebration Ceremony
McCormick Place, S100, Level 1
5:00 – 5:45 pm

Operations Challenge Awards Reception
Hilton Chicago, International Ballroom
5:30 – 7:30 pm
*WEF Staff Steve Harrison

| WHAT'S NEW AT WEFTEC 2023 |

WEFTEC is focused on bringing in new areas of interest, adding more social engagement, being environmentally sustainable and incorporating DE&I throughout the conference.  WEF offers the following that may be of interest to MA Leaders.

NORTH HALL
Drone Pavilion – NEW
Visit the exhibitors in the NEW Drone Pavilion to learn about establishing drone operations to enable safer, faster, more cost-effective operations. Watch drones fly in the demo cage and attend the daily educational sessions. See the session schedule and learn more about the exhibitors, Read More

North Hall Concession – NEW
This area will offer different food options from the normal convention selections.  Drop by to experience the new offerings!

Meditate Between Meetings in Mindfulness Lounge
McCormick Place, N231 | Sept 30 – Oct 3 | 8:00 am -3:30 pm
McCormick Place, N231 | Oct 4 | 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Actively relaxing between meetings using practices such as meditation reduces the build-up of stress. Read More

SOUTH HALL
Zen Yoga
McCormick Place, S104
Registration required - $35.00
Get energized for a better start to your day.  An instructor for Zen Yoga will lead you through a hybrid-style yoga class.  Read more

WEFTEC Live Studio
McCormick Place, South Hall Booth 2425
Visit the studio to see WEFTEC Live unfold before your eyes. Come to hear the latest, interact with the guests and your peers, and get the answers to your questions that matter most to you. Read More