CWEA’s Annual Conference in Palm Springs was one for the books! AC25 brought together an incredible community of wastewater professionals for a packed schedule of thought-provoking presentations, hands-on workshops, dynamic tours, and unbeatable networking opportunities. The energy was contagious as we celebrated our shared commitment to protecting California’s most critical resource: water.
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By the Numbers:
These figures underscore AC25’s growing influence and its role as a premier forum for wastewater professionals shaping the future of water in California.
A Highlighted Moment: This year’s Opening Session featured a special performance by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, setting the tone for a week of reflection and inspiration. Attendees experienced a deep connection to the land and culture through their performance, and later, we celebrated a meaningful Land Application Dedication in recognition of local traditions and history.
An Energizing Kickoff to AC25
We were beyond honored to welcome Justin Jones-Fosu as our Opening General Session speaker. His engaging keynote set the tone for the entire conference, blending humor, heart, and purpose into a powerful call to “work to a different beat.”
Justin challenged us to reconnect with our “why” and bring intentionality to our everyday actions—both at work and beyond. Attendees left the session energized, inspired, and ready to create impact.
The buzz in the room—and on LinkedIn—said it all: Justin’s message was uplifting, relevant, and exactly what our community needed to hear.
President’s Message In his opening remarks, CWEA President Gilbert Barela spoke passionately about the theme of this year’s conference, “Waves of Change: Navigating the Future of Water.” He highlighted the ever-evolving nature of both water and the wastewater industry, noting that the week ahead would offer an opportunity to explore new ideas, drive innovation, and chart a path toward a stronger, more resilient water sector.
AC25 Resources For those who were unable to attend, we’ve got you covered. Many sessions from AC25 have been recorded and will be available on the OWEN online learning platform. Don’t miss out on the insights shared by top professionals in the field:
View or download your AC25 participation certificate by logging-in to your CWEA profile – Click on “My Education Credits”
Check out the 2024-2025 CWEA Award Winners and their achievements
Access to recorded sessions on OWEN available now
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Log in to ac.cwea.org to view presentation slides for a deeper dive into the content shared. Available slides will have an indicator next to the session name:
Shout-Outs of Thanks A big thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, volunteers and staff for making AC25 a successful event. Without your support, we would not have been able to bring together such a diverse and engaged group of professionals committed to advancing the wastewater industry.
See You at AC26! We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference. Stay tuned for details on AC26 in Sacramento as we continue to build on the momentum from this year’s record-breaking success. Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to making AC25 an event to remember!
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