All conference participants must register. Full registration includes all training sessions (Mon-Wed), admission to all three lunches, the Exhibit Hall, the Monday Welcome Reception and Tuesday Awards and Raffle Drawing Reception. Register early (before January 18th) using the Super Saver Full Registration option to receive a full registration discounted fee. If written/faxed notice of cancellation is received by January 18, 2026, you will receive a full refund minus a $75.00 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after Sunday, January 18, 2026. Pre-Registration Required. On-site registrations not an option.

Rooms have been reserved at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown in Des Moines, Iowa. Your reservations can be made by calling (515) 241-1456. Please DO NOT reserve more rooms than you will need as you will be charged a cancellation fee. Simply mention that you are with the IRWA Annual Conference to receive the special conference rate of $151.00. Hilton Group Code is 96N should you need it.
To make a reservation online, visit HERE. 
Deadline for Hilton Des Moines reservations is Sunday, January 18, 2026.

We also have a room block at Embassy Suites by Hilton | Downtown Des Moines
• Group Name: IRWA COURTESY BLOCK | Room Rate: $139.00/night
• Phone Reservations: 1800-EMBASSY
• Booking Link: IRWA COURTESY BLOCK
Deadline for Embassy Suites reservations is Saturday, January 10, 2026. 

Self-parking is available for overnight guests of the Hilton Des Moines Downtown hotel at a rate of $28.00/day. Hilton guests can also park at the 5th and Keo Parking garage connected via skywalk at a rate of 10.00 per night. Parking is also available at the Iowa Events Center for an entrance fee of $13.00.

Up to 16 CEU credits hours can be received for water treatment, water distribution or wastewater if you attend the entire annual conference. These may be split depending on which sessions you attend. Monday equals 6 CEUs, Tuesday equals 5 CEUs and Wednesday equals 5 CEUs. CEUs earned will be reported to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources using our online CEU form. If you are a one-day registration, before you leave the conference, see an IRWA Staff person to obtain a link to the online form. At the end of the three-day conference on Wednesday, February 12th we will provide the CEU Online Form link for your completion. The online CEU form must be completed before the end of the week on Friday, February 13th. Before you leave the conference, see an IRWA Staff person to obtain a link to the online form.

Join us first thing Monday morning in Grand Ballroom B for a Breakfast Buffet. Following breakfast, we will have a presentation given by Dr. Carl Lee Tolbert with Malloy Electric. This presentation will be good for one CEU hour. “AI: Separating Tomorrow’s Reality from Today’s Hype” Session Overview: This engaging 45-minute keynote demystifies artificial intelligence through storytelling, myth-busting, and practical insights relevant to every attendee, regardless of technical background. Rural water systems are at a crossroads. This keynote ensures you can navigate AI conversations with vendors, boards, and communities from a position of knowledge, not fear.

The opportunity to purchase raffle tickets will be on Monday Afternoon and Evening and Tuesday Morning/Afternoon of the conference. Proceeds benefit the IRWA Equipment Loan Program. Tuesday, February 10th from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM join us at the Awards and Raffle Drawing Reception in Ballroom B for beverages and snacks and the announcement of all award and raffle winners. We have some really great items on the raffle this year including a puppy! Thank you in advance for your support of IRWA’s efforts for Iowa utilities. Please note…again this year EVERY attendee gets one free raffle ticket to place in one of the Sportsman Raffle boxes. Take this opportunity to be a part of the fun and try your luck!

Be sure to join us for the Monday Night Welcome Reception from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall at the conference center. Don’t miss this chance to relax and visit with our vendors. In addition, games and prize drawings will be held, including our drawings for FIVE $100.00 cash giveaways throughout the night. 

The Exhibit Hall will be open ALL DAY on Tuesday. Our vendors are always excited to have an opportunity to say Hello. Take this opportunity to thank them for being here. Their contributions are what make this the largest Industry Event in Iowa. And remember, we will continue to hand out conference t-shirts, draw names for the Cash Wheel, offer time to chat with vendors and get your gaming bookmark from them for a chance to win a cash prize.

Find your favorite Exhibitor HERE.

On Tuesday, starting at 12:00 PM, you are invited to join IRWA Board Members and Staff at our 3rd Annual Women in Water luncheon held at the Hilton Des Moines Downtown in the Matrix Room. Our sponsors are CoBank, Garden & Associates, and Metron. The luncheon is an opportunity for us to honor and support women in the water industry and provide a place for networking. We have invited guest speaker Shannon Rasmussen of the Rural Water Association of Utah. Shannon is the Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer for the Utah Association. She has over two decades of experience in association management and organizational leadership. Shannon brings a deep well of expertise in finance, logistics, event planning, human resources, and strategic operations. Women in Water: The Force is With You Star Wars? Inner Peace? What is your force? And how do you harness it? Come explore practical, real-life lessons for navigating leadership, balance, and growth in a demanding industry. Through relatable stories and grounded perspectives, participants will learn to challenge the status quo, recognize their value, and adopt a growth mindset while collaborating effectively and seeking support when needed. Attendees will take away strategies for managing capacity, giving and receiving meaningful feedback, practicing gratitude, and caring for themselves and others—because what we carry inside shapes what we bring to the table.

The IRWA Awards Winners will be announced and honored at the Tuesday afternoon reception in Ballroom B starting at 3:30 PM. This reception is included with a Full Registration and will offer hors d’oeuvres and beverages. This is an opportunity to honor key system and community leaders for their commitment to the industry. Awards will be announced and then immediately following will be the Sportsman Raffle Drawings. This reception is also a chance to have time to socialize with your peers in a casual setting.

To view all IRWA Speaker biographies, visit HERE.