AWWA to elevate sustainable conference practices at ACE25

Recognizing the environmental footprint from large-scale conferences, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) is building on its commitment to sustainable practices at the upcoming Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE25) June 8-11 in AWWA’s headquarters city, Denver, Colorado.

In 2023, AWWA launched a dedicated effort to integrate sustainability and social responsibility into its events, starting with ACE24 in Anaheim, California. Guided by the Events Industry Council (EIC) framework and in partnership with Colorado-based sustainability consultant Honeycomb Strategies (HCS), AWWA established comprehensive sustainability policies and plans, earning the EIC Foundations Level Certificate in August last year.

“AWWA’s ACE sustainability initiative reflects our dedication to the future of water,” said AWWA CEO David LaFrance. “This effort is interwoven within our organization’s long-term vision for a sustainable water future, as embodied in the Water 2050 initiative – it is a collaborative effort to envision and create a future where water is sustainable, secure, affordable and resilient.”

The global business events sector is a substantial economic driver, generating more than $1.15 trillion in direct spending and supporting 10.9 million jobs.

By implementing sustainable practices at ACE25, AWWA is demonstrating its commitment to the Water 2050 goals and inspiring the water community to take collective action.

Some of the ways ACE25 is reducing its environmental footprint include:

• Waste reduction: Building on ACE24’s success in diverting 21% of waste from landfills, ACE25 aims to increase this rate through comprehensive waste management strategies, including promoting reusable and recyclable materials and partnering with local organizations for material donation and composting programs.
• Energy efficiency: ACE25 will prioritize energy-efficient practices to minimize its carbon footprint. Collaborating with the Colorado Convention Center and local partners, AWWA will utilize renewable energy sources and implement energy-saving measures.
• Water conservation: As a leading organization in the water sector, AWWA recognizes the critical importance of water conservation. ACE25 will continue to implement water-efficient practices throughout the event, including promoting the use of reusable water bottles, encouraging use of permanent fill-and-go stations, and educating attendees and exhibitors about water conservation.
• Sustainable sourcing: From conference materials to booths, ACE25 will improve its sustainable sourcing practices, procuring materials made from recycled and renewable resources whenever possible. AWWA will prioritize vendors and suppliers who share the Association’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that the event’s supply chain reflects its environmental values.
• Community engagement: ACE25 aims to positively impact the local Denver community, engaging with local organizations and businesses to support their sustainable programs and the nearby workforce.

AWWA recognizes that sustainability is a collective effort, and ACE25 will actively engage attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, partners and the broader water community in its efforts. Conference attendees can expect sustainable practices embedded in their ACE25 experience, including:

• Carbon footprint offset program: Attendees can offset their travel-related carbon emissions through the Voluntary Carbon Offset Dashboard.
• Public transportation and ridesharing: AWWA encourages the use of public transportation and ridesharing options to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.
• Sustainable food and beverage options: ACE25 will spotlight smart sourcing within the menus, minimizing transportation and supporting local businesses.

Exhibitors at ACE25 are also encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability by taking the AWWA ACE Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. This pledge outlines specific actions exhibitors can take to reduce their environmental impact, such as:

• Using reusable or recyclable booth materials
• Reducing paper consumption and opting for digital alternatives
• Creating sustainable promotional items
• Minimizing waste generation and properly disposing of materials
• Prioritizing energy efficiency in booth design and operation

By taking the pledge, exhibitors not only document their contributions to the overall sustainability of ACE25 but also showcase their leadership in environmental responsibility.

With the Foundations Level Certificate under its belt, AWWA will work closely with EIC, third-party auditor Alliance for Audited Media (AAM), and Honeycomb Strategies (HCS), to conduct a full logistics audit on the ACE25. AWWA aims for ACE25 to achieve a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum certification level award within the EIC Sustainable Event Standards (SES) framework.

“Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, it is a responsibility – especially for industries with a large footprint like the business events sector,” said AWWA Director of Conferences and Events Joanne Gaglia. “AWWA is committed to leading by example, and this effort is one of the ways we’re walking the walk.”

To learn more about ACE25 and to register for the conference, visit ace.awwa.org. Attendees are encouraged to register before April 18, 2025, to take advantage of early bird registration rates. For more information about the ACE25 sustainability initiative, visit https://ace.awwa.org/Attend/Sustainability-Impact.