WEFTEC Insider's Guide
Discover the essential tips and insights to make the most of your first WEFTEC experience with this guide, designed to help you navigate every stage: before, during, and after the conference.
Registration
Learn more about your conference registration, fees, Letter of Invitation, policies, badge pick up, and more.
Workshops and facility tours may require additional fees.
Register Now
Hotel
Book your hotel room to get the best rates at hotels in the WEFTEC room block. Convention Management Resources, Inc. (CMR) is the official hotel reservation supplier.
Make a Hotel Reservation
Transportation
Event Transportation Systems will provide airport shuttles from McCormick Place to Midway and O’Hare airports, as well as complimentary charter buses between conference hotels and the convention center. For airport shuttle pricing, booking details, and the full hotel shuttle schedule and routes, click below.
Shuttle Services
Convention Center
For directions, parking information, mobility services like scooter and wheelchair rentals, and other helpful resources available at the convention center
Visit McCormick Place Amenities
What to Wear?
The dress code is business casual. Bring comfortable, low-heeled, closed-toe shoes and a light jacket. Dress in layers to ensure a productive and comfortable conference experience, as it is often warm in the exhibit halls and cooler in the session and meeting rooms.
Plan your Agenda
Create a personalized agenda using the Online Planner, available now, or the WEFTEC 2025 App, launching late summer. The app serves as your pocket guide for the conference, allowing you to create your schedule, navigate the exhibit hall, get real-time updates, and connect with others.
View the Online PlanerDuring the Conference: What to Expect
Arrive Early for Registration
Arrive with plenty of time on the first day to pick up your badge. You can usually expect a line at registration, especially on the first day, so plan to arrive at least thirty minutes before your first session or event. Some rooms will reach capacity quickly, and arriving late could mean you won’t get access to the room.
WEFTEC Orientation
Attend the WEFTEC Orientation on Monday, September 29, 2025. This is a great opportunity to get additional tips and meet other First-Time Attendees.
Identify Fellow First Timers
Easily spot other first-timers by the “First Timer” ribbon on their badge, making it easy to identify new friends.
Visit the Exhibit Hall
Here’s where you can meet vendors or suppliers, check out new technology, or make important connections. While exploring the exhibition, don't miss the exciting Operations Challenge, where wastewater operators demonstrate their skills in various events.
During the conference: Navigating WEFTEC
Get to Know WEF
The organization that produces the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC) annually. Stop by the WEF Community Hub (Booth 4059, South Hall) to learn the benefits of WEF membership, the technical communities we serve, and our other educational events.
Food and Beverage
Concession areas will be available throughout the convention center for attendees to purchase food and beverages. Meals are not included. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle.
Badge Safety
Your conference badge allows you admission to the conference. Be Safe - if you are going out to a non-conference function, remove your name badge. Wearing your conference badge identifies you as a tourist and makes you a target for scammers and thieves.
Partner with Friends or Colleagues
It’s not possible to do everything, so decide in advance who will attend each session and take notes for each other. You could then meet after the sessions, or wait until you get home, to regroup and discuss.
Allow Enough Travel Time
Plan for adequate travel time between sessions and prepare for walking. The convention center is big, so allocate enough time to move between the exhibit hall and breakout sessions — especially since you may have impromptu conversations with folks you meet in the hallways!
Ask a Question
Facilitators and moderators usually reserve time at the end of each session for audience questions. Write down your question in advance and make sure it’s related to the discussion. Don’t forget to state your name and your organization so that people can remember you.
Make New Connections
WEFTEC is a great chance to expand your network, so aim to meet a few new people each day. Exchange contact info; whether it’s business cards, LinkedIn, email, QR codes, or through the WEFTEC 2025 Online Planner to keep the connection going! Share your experience on social media using #WEFTEC25 and tag us on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn
Stay Charged
Make sure to fully charge your phone, tablet, or laptop each night, and pack your charger in your bag each morning. If you need to plug in during the day, don’t leave your devices unattended while charging.
After the Conference
Complete the Post-Conference Survey
WEFTEC emails a post-conference survey to all registrants. This survey is important because it will help us improve future conferences. Please take a few minutes to share your experiences.
Code of Conduct
WEF expects all attendees, exhibitors, speakers, sponsors, media, and other participants to uphold our commitment to diversity and inclusion by helping us provide a positive conference environment for everyone.
Read the Code