Communicators
In today’s fast-paced news and social media world, water professionals must be top-tier communicators to build trust in their organizations.
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Join Us at ACE!
Whether you are a full-time communications/public affairs pro, a leader who defines and shares your organization’s message, or just the only available voice at a small utility, ACE25 has opportunities to grow your skillset.
Take advantage of sessions or workshops on crafting clear messages on lead service line replacement and PFAS contamination, establishing relationships with media, navigating risk or crisis communications scenarios, designing social media campaigns, and many other communications topics. Share your experiences with fellow water communicators and learn from people who “have been there before.” Build a network of colleagues and friends to help you communicate with confidence in your community.
No matter what kind of water communicator you are, there is something for you at ACE25.
Supersaver registration closes April 18. Register now to receive the best rates.
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Water Communications Meetup
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Monday, June 9
Join us for the Water Communications Meetup! Come network and meet fellow water communicators in an informal setting. This is the perfect event to connect with water communications professionals at ACE.
Session Spotlights
Building a Culture of Communication: Strategies for Transparency and Engagement
Track: Water Utility Management
10:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Tuesday, June 10 | Mile High Ballroom 4cd
Effective communication is the foundation of trust and success in addressing critical water management issues, from lead service line replacements to water reuse projects and major capital investments. This presentation explores strategies to foster a culture of communication within your organization, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and employee engagement. Learn how defining roles and responsibilities can enhance internal collaboration and ensure consistent messaging to stakeholders.
Power Up Your Impact: Connecting Through Creativity and Storytelling
Track: Water Utility Management
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.| Wednesday, June 11 | Room 607
Building support for infrastructure projects and budget priorities requires more than data—it demands impactful messaging that resonates with the audience. This presentation provides actionable strategies for crafting creative, audience-focused communications that engages elected officials, decision-makers, and the public.
Understanding Risk Communication and PFAS: What We Know and What Remains Unexplored
Track: A Focus on PFAS
3:00 – 4:30 p.m.| Wednesday, June 10 | Room 401 – 402
A panel of expert researchers and practitioners in risk communication will present an overview of existing communication tools, tactics, templates, and current resources and research surrounding PFAS risk communication. The discussion will cover themes such as managing uncertainty, affective responses, and beliefs about personal risk. Additionally, the panel will engage the audience to examine challenges faced in communicating about PFAS and identify further tools, resources, and research needed to enhance communication strategies regarding this pressing environmental issue.
Pre-Conference Workshop
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. | Sunday, June 8
Workshops are an additional fee, and seating is limited – register early!
The water sector is dealing with significant new regulatory demands relating to lead and PFAS. Utilities are currently navigating the economic and technical difficulties involved in completing Lead Service Line Replacement and implementing appropriate treatment for PFAS. This hands-on workshop focuses on bridging the gap between complex water quality issues related to lead, PFAS and public understanding to improve public outreach and customer engagement strategies.
Supersaver Rates: Member: $150 / Nonmember: $250 / Student: $70
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Track Spotlights for Communicators
Water Utility Management
Water providers have a key role in support of the public and the communities they serve. They manage a crucial natural resource that is essential to people’s health, community economies and the fabric of social stability. Water quality and reliability are not solely technical — they are also critical health, lifestyle, economic, social and political issues. Water utility managers can leverage their existing role by adopting a broader community stewardship role as an integral part of their water service mission. Community stewardship simply means leveraging the utility’s assets and operations to benefit the larger community, lessen utility impacts and provide service equitably across the service area, particularly for traditionally underserved neighborhoods.
Water Education & Workforce
This track focuses on developing a skilled and diverse workforce capable of addressing complex issues such as aging infrastructure, emerging technologies, and sustainability. Training and education programs play a pivotal role in equipping professionals with the necessary expertise to navigate the modern water landscape. By fostering innovation, promoting inclusivity, and investing in continuous learning, the water workforce transformation aims to create a resilient and forward-thinking community capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing water sector.
The Future of Water | Roundtable Sessions
Water systems face growing challenges due to climate change. Sessions cover a spectrum of topics, including funding sources, treatment processes, storage solutions, distribution systems, and operational and management needs. By focusing on these key aspects, the sessions aim to enhance the resilience and sustainability of water services as we look to the future.
