2026 WEAU Annual Conference

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2026 WEAU Annual Conference

April 14, 2026 8:00 AM to April 17, 2026 12:30 PM
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The Dixie Center
1835 S Convention Center Dr
St. George, UT 84790
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CONFERENCE DETAILS

The upcoming WEAU Annual Conference will be held April 14 - 17, 2026 in St. George, UT at the Dixie Convention Center. 
 
Technical Program

REGISTRATION AND EVENT FEES

Event	Registration Fee
Pre-Conference Workshop	$165.00
Lifetime Membership Conference Registration	$0.00
Member Registration Full Conference - Early Bird (until March 27th)	$400.00
Member Registration Full Conference - Normal (March 28th - April 10th)	$520.00
Member Registration Full Conference - Late (after April 10th)	$590.00
Member Registration Single Day - Early Bird (until March 27th)	$275.00
Member Registration Single Day - Normal (March 28th - April 10th)	$300.00
Member Registration Single Day - Late (after April 10th)	$325.00
Non-Member/Guest Registration Full Conference - Early Bird (until March 27th)	$455.00
Non-Member/Guest Registration Full Conference - Normal (after March 27th)	$590.00
Non-Member/Guest Registration Single Day - Early Bird (until March 27th)	$300.00
Non-Member/Guest Registration Single Day - Normal (after March 27th)	$325.00
Student Registration Full Conference	$0.00
Speaker Registration - One Day Comp	$0.00
Golf Tournament Single Registration	$75.00
Ops Challenge & YP Social Registration (Crush Golf)	$0.00
Confluence Park Facility Tour	$0.00
Additional Lunch Attendee (2 days)	$50.00
Additional Banquet Attendee	$50.00


Refunds for registration costs will not be given after April 1, 2026.

HOTELS

Hotels may be booked at the WEAU conference rate by using the event link below or calling the hotel and mentioning WEAU. Reservation must be made by March 25, 2026 to receive the conference rate or before rooms sell out.

Best Western Abbey Inn

1 King Standard or 2 Queen Standard: $134 per night plus tax

Fairfield Inn

1 King Standard or 2 Queen Standard: $139 per night plus tax

Hilton Garden Inn

1 King Standard or 2 Queen Standard: $139 per night plus tax

Holiday Inn

1 King Standard or 2 Queen Standard: $139 per night plus tax

Hyatt Place

1 King Standard or 2 Queen Standard: $149 per night plus tax

exhibitor booths

Exhibitor booths are available. More information on the Exhibitor Hall and how to reserve your booth can be found here.

pre-conference workshop: DIGITAL WATER

Tuesday, April 14th from 8:00am - 12:00pm at the Dixie Convention Center. A boxed lunch will be provided following the workshop.

This pre-conference session focuses on advancing digital transformation in the water sector, exploring AI, machine learning, and digital twins. The session highlights practical applications, challenges, and benefits.

Workshop Objectives:

Inspire innovation through real-world examples of digital transformation.
Share knowledge on AI, machine learning, and digital twin applications in water management.
Facilitate discussions on implementing digital tools in Utah's water reclamation facilities.

Tentative agenda:

Time	Session Description	Duration	Notes/Speakers
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Welcome and Interactive Icebreaker Game Introduction to the day's themes, followed by a buzzword bingo or quiz game on AI and machine learning topics (e.g., "neural networks," "predictive analytics," "digital twins"). Participants form small groups to match buzzwords to water applications, with prizes to energize the group.	30 minutes	Sean Sudol
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM	Local Perspective: Setting the Stage for Digital Transformation at a Utah Water Reclamation Facility Presentation on how a local facility implemented data analytics and automation to enhance operations, sustainability, and efficiency. Focus on practical steps, challenges, and outcomes like reduced energy use.	45 minutes	Speaker: Representative from Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility (CVWRF)
9:15 AM - 10:00 AM	National Insights: AI and Machine Learning Applications Across the U.S. Water Sector Overview of national trends in AI/ML for wastewater management, including predictive modeling and process optimization. Discussion of challenges (e.g., data quality) and benefits (e.g., cost savings).	45 minutes	Speaker: Water Environment Federation (WEF) expert, drawing from WEF's AI/ML resources.
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM	Break and Networking Refreshments provided; opportunity for informal discussions and vendor interactions on digital tools.	15 minutes	N/A
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM	Technology Spotlight: Digital Twins with Hybrid Models and Uncertainty Quantification In-depth exploration of digital twins in water treatment, using hybrid models (mechanistic and data-driven) for real-time monitoring and optimization. Emphasis on uncertainty quantification for reliable predictions, with case studies from wastewater networks.	60 minutes	Speaker: Industry expert
11:15 AM - 11:55 AM	Panel Discussion: Addressing Member Questions on Digital Transformation Interactive Q&A and discussion on implementing digital strategies, covering AI adoption barriers, digital twin integration, and future trends. Audience-submitted questions encouraged.	40 minutes	Panelists: WEAU Digital Water Committee members and invited experts

confluence park facility tour

There will be a tour of the Confluence Park Water Reclamation Facility on Tuesday, April 14th from 2:00 - 4:00pm. Those interested in carpooling should meet at the Dixie Center by the registration desk by 1:15pm. It is about a 30 minute drive from the Dixie Center to the facility.

Please register for the tour at time of registration, it is free to attend!

OPS CHALLENGE

Tuesday, April 14th

9:00am: Set-up in the exhibit hall (not mandatory)
1:00pm Q&A: Process test will follow (or earlier if all teams have arrived)

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Wednesday, April 15th
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- 7:00am: Competitors and judges arrival
- 7:30am: Competition begins: Collections, Lab, Maintenance, & Safety
- 6:00pm: Ops Challenge & YP Social (Note that this event is open to Ops Challenge participants/volunteers and YPs ONLY - you must register in order to attend)

Thursday, April 16th

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6:00pm: Awards banquet
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young professionals

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Wednesday, April 15th
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- Ops Challenge & YP Social (Note that this event is open to Ops Challenge participants/volunteers and YPs ONLY - you must register in order to attend)
- Networking Lunch