Irrigation and water management professionals are invited to register for the Irrigation Association’s second annual Water Conference, July 13-14, in Williamsburg, Va. Early registration for a discounted fee closes June 23.
“The Water Conference was created to bring irrigation professionals, strategists, academics, environmentalists and water managers together with irrigation practitioners to discuss the world’s water challenges and our industry’s role in providing solutions,” said Irrigation Association President Mike Harrington. “We’re going beyond the traditional conference format to dialogue about real-world situations in addition to traditional presentations and networking.”
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the expanded, day-and-a-half program will cover global issues as well as those specific to the United States. Success stories and ongoing challenges will be presented by industry, government and academic thought leaders. Attendees will also split into two tracks to discuss specific concerns in the agriculture and turf/landscape industries.
Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs will be the keynote speaker. Widely recognized as an authority on water law, Justice Hobbs will discuss this precious resource’s impact on land use, politics and civilization throughout human history. Before joining the court in 1996, Hobbs practiced water, environmental and land-use law for 23 years.
Additional speakers include:
Tom Barrett of GreenWater Infrastructure, experts on sustainable site development.
Beth Davis of the James City Service Authority, the 2009 WaterSense Promotional Partner of the Year.
Brad Godwin, director of water strategy for Monsanto, focusing on sustainable agriculture.
Dr. Paul Lander of the Dakota Ridge Partnership former leader of the award-winning City of Boulder’s Water Conservation Office.
Dr. Prem Paul, DVM, of the University of Nebraska, leader of the Water for Food Institute.
Dr. Mark Risse, Georgia power professor of water policy for the Vinson Institute at the University of Georgia.
Adam Schempp, attorney for water rights, allocation and use at the Environmental Law Institute.
Dave Stewart, PE, of Stewart Environmental Consultants, LLC, award-winning innovator of environmental engineering solutions.
The conference will take place at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., July 13- 14. Attendees should register by June 23 to receive the early-bird registration rate of only $225.
For more information, visit www.irrigation.org.