WEFTEC is the world’s largest annual water quality event not just because of the 20,000 to 22,000 people who participate, but also because of the truly global nature of the event, including attendees and companies and many technical presentations from around the world.
WEFTEC 2018 in New Orleans certainly held true to form.
WEFTEC 2018 attracted 2,646 individuals – about 13 percent of total registration - from 74 countries outside the U.S. The U.S. Department of Commerce International Buyer Program recruited qualified buyers from 24 countries, totaling 414 trade delegates. The Global Center’s two days of programming featured 53 speakers on topics ranging from Sustainable Development Goals to energy optimization
A session conducted in Spanish, titled Experiencias en la Implementación de Remoción de Nutrientes y la Neutralidad Energética,presented the current status of wastewater treatment in Latin America and case studies from the World Bank. More foreign language sessions in Spanish and possibly Mandarin will be considered for WEFTEC 2019.
The exhibition featured 141 international companies using more than 32,750 square feet. International exhibitiors represent 11% of the total space. Nine country pavilions — Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea, The Netherlands, and Spain — participated WEFTEC.
For the first time, the Operations Challenge competition welcomed a team from Colombia representing the Empresa de Acueducto de Bogota. This team competed alongside a team from AYSA (Argentina). Both teams and the reception they received emphasized the connections and camaraderie within the global water workforce. It is anticipated that Operations Challegne at WEFTEC 2019 will included teams from Argentina, Colombia, Germany and Denmark.
So what do all of these numbers mean for the Water Environment Federation and its members?
International connections increase WEF’s presence and our collective potential to promote the protection of public health and the environment on a global scale. Conversely, WEF and its members receive a great deal back from global participation, including the availability of new information and ideas, the change to build connections to international experts, and the potential to share expertise and technology globally.
In the big picture, all of this global activity helps drive WEF forward in its priorities of connecting water professionals, enriching the expertise of water professionals, and providing a platform for water sector innovation. Clearly water professionals and WEF members worldwide face common water challenges and the global professional community can truly benefit from the rich international nature of WEFTEC.
Laila Sukkariyyah is the senior manager of global programs at the Water Environment Federation. During her 17-year tenure, she has held several positions in the organization including the director of marketing, pavilion sales and sales development. In her current role, Laila manages WEF's participation in more than 10 international events per year and all global activities at WEFTEC.
Laila earned a bachelor's degree in political science and anthropology from Eckerd College and a masters in international development from The American University. Laila's multi-cultural background and "third culture kid" upbringing, contributes to WEF's global leadership in the water sector.
