WEAO Newsletter:
October/November 2001 Issue

Plans are underway for Annual Conference

Planning for the 31st Annual WEAO Technical Symposium and OPCEA Exhibition has begun! Make sure you mark your calendars and plan to attend this event April 21-23, 2002, in Hamilton. The Conference Committee is excited to return to Hamilton and work once again with the professional staff at the Convention Centre and the Sheraton Hamilton Hotel in planning another successful event.

Our program includes some very exciting events including a Media Session on the Monday morning which focuses on the future of Ontario's biosolids management programs, various planned events to recognize new WEAO members, and a New Professionals Session to be included as part of the Technical Symposium. In addition, and thanks to the efforts of our Communications Committee, we will be promoting the new and improved WEAO web site, which will include on-line registration capabilities for the Annual Conference.

The Technical Symposium on Monday and Tuesday always provides quality technical presentations from recognized professionals in the wastewater industry. If you would like to participate in this event, please visit our web site and submit an Abstract Submittal Form for consideration by the Seminar Committee. In addition to paper submissions, we are also very interested to profile innovative projects, case studies and research activities as part of the Poster Session.

The Operations Challenge on Tuesday, April 23 will be held in the OPCEA Exhibition area and promises to be an energized event and an opportunity to catch a glimpse of our professional wastewater operators engaged in competition and, as always, in the true spirit of cooperation and camaraderie. We certainly encourage all operators to join in the Operations Challenge and encourage municipalities to support their staff and provide them with a unique opportunity to network with other Professional Wastewater Operators in Ontario. Support is available from the WEAO and the Operations Challenge Committee if you are interested in entering a team in the competition. Please contact me for any further information on this event.

The OPCEA Exhibition is definitely one of the highlights of our conference and represents one of the largest expositions in Ontario focused on equipment and service offerings to the wastewater industry. The Hamilton Convention Centre offers the advantage of an early move-in for all exhibitors so that everyone can take full advantage of Sunday's Icebreaker and the Keynote Address on Monday morning.

The Conference Committee will be using future editions of the WEAO Newsletter, our web site, and regular E-mail bulletins to provide updates to our members on planning activities for the Annual Conference. You don't want to miss a thing!

I look forward to your comments and suggestions in helping the Conference Committee make the 2002 Annual Conference the most memorable ever! I can be reached at: (416) 499-0090 ext. 232, E-mail: tpetrucc@ch2m.com

Tony Petrucci, CH2M HILL Canada, Conference Chair