2023 Annual Conference - February 20-22, 2023
Downloadable Brochure and Registration Form (PDF)
Theme is: 47th Annual Conference – “Conference of Connections”
Guiding Your Water Journey
General Information
Location:
Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention
Center
730 Third Street
Des Moines, Iowa
Registration/Cancellation Policy:
All conference participants must
register. A full registration includes all training sessions (Mon-Wed),
admission to the Exhibit Hall, Monday Awards Luncheon, Monday Welcome
Reception and Tuesday and Wednesday Lunch. Register early (before January
26th) using the Super Saver Full Registration option to receive a full
registration discounted fee.
If written/faxed notice of cancellation is received by January 26, 2023, you
will receive a full refund minus a $75.00 administrative fee. No refunds
will be issued after Thursday, January 26, 2023. On-site registrations not
available.
If you have special physical or dietary needs, please indicate so on the registration form.
Hotel Information
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 $135.00. Deadline for Hilton Des Moines reservations is Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Parking
Self-parking is available for overnight guests of the Hilton Des Moines Downtown hotel at a rate of $18.00/day. Valet parking is also an option at $25.00/day. Parking is also available at the Iowa Events Center for an entrance fee of $10.00.
CEU Information
Up to 1.5 CEU credits (15 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 0.5 CEUs, Tuesday equals 0.5 CEUs and Wednesday equals 0.5 CEUs. CEU forms must be completed before you leave (if you leave before Wednesday) or at the end of the conference on Wednesday, February 22nd.
Registration Desk OPEN - the IRWA registration is open continuously during the conference. Starting first thing Monday morning, you are welcome to come and get checked in at any time during the day. We will also hand out packets during the evening Welcome Reception. So come and join us whenever you arrive.
Activities
Opening Session/Breakfast – Guest Speaker Charles Marshall
Start your Monday morning off right with a full
breakfast, a chance to win the first of three $500.00 cash giveaways and a
great motivational speaker. Charles Marshall is one of the most popular
humorous motivational speakers speaking today and has over 20 years
experience speaking to audiences all over the United States. Each year,
Charles travels 100,000 miles to perform in over 100 corporate and civic
venues from New York to California. His animated delivery and original
observations have captivated over 1,000 audiences over the past two decades,
including many Fortune 500 companies.
He is the author of several books including: The Seven Powers of Success and
I’m Not Crazy But I Might Be A Carrier. He also has produced and performed
two full-length comedy videos, Fully Animated and I’m Just Sayin’!
Sportsman Raffle
The opportunity to purchase raffle tickets will be on
Monday Evening and Tuesday Morning/Afternoon of the conference. Proceeds
benefit the IRWA Equipment Loan Program. Tuesday from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM in
the Exhibit Hall, join us for beverages and snacks and the announcement of
all raffle winners. 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!
Seek and Find Game
The IRWA Exhibit Hall “Seek and Find” game is coming
back for a 5th year. You can find your “Seek and Find” game card with your
registration packet. Find all twelve items in the exhibit hall, put your
name on the game card and turn in your form at the IRWA Registration Desk in
exchange for a small prize. In addition, your completed card will be placed
in a drawing for a chance to win $200.00 cash.
Awards Luncheon
The IRWA Awards Luncheon will be held Monday at 11:00 AM
in Grand Ballroom B and is included with a Full Registration. Our luncheon
is an opportunity to honor key system and community leaders for their
commitment to the industry. Awards will be announced before the lunch begins
to honor our recipients. Following the awards, we will have a casual dining
experience with time to socialize with your peers.
Welcome Reception
Be sure to join us for the Monday Night Welcome
Reception from 4:30 PM to 6:00 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 2nd drawing
for $500.00 CASH.
Tuesday Exhibit Hall
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. Our 3rd and final $500.00 Cash
Giveaway will be drawn between 1:00 PM and 1:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall. And
remember, we will continue to hand out conference t-shirts, draw names for
the Cash Wheel and offer time to hunt for the “Seek and Find” game images.
The winner of the “Seek and Find” game will be announced at the Tuesday
Afternoon break in the Exhibit Hall. The Exhibit Hall is not available on
Wednesday of the conference.
IRWA Membership Breakfast
Join us for breakfast on February 21 at 7:00
a.m. to hear top political experts talk about the 2023 legislative session.
This is an opportunity to hear their perspectives about the key issues
facing legislators and to ask questions about the issues important to you.
This event helps raise funds for the IRWA political action committee, a
committee governed by six elected members who oversee contributions to those
legislators who support issues important to communities and rural water
systems. Contribution expected (not included in registration).
Conference at a Glance
****The Conference Schedule has changed from past years so please read carefully****
Monday, February 20, 2023 - See Full Schedule
8:00 AM Registration Opens/Breakfast Service Begins
9:00 AM Opening Session/Motivational Speaker
*$500 Cash Giveaway*
10:00 - 11:00 AM Concurrent Sessions
11:00 - 11:30 AM Awards Announcements
11:30 - 12:30 PM Awards Luncheon
12:30 - 4:30 PM Concurrent Sessions
4:30 - 6:00 PM Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall *$500 Cash Giveaway*
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 - See Full Schedule
7:00 - 8:00 AM Registration Desk Opens/Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
7:00 - 8:30 AM IRWA Membership Breakfast (Hilton) - Guest Speaker
8:00 - 8:30 AM Daily Announcement Session
8:30 - 9:30 AM Concurrent Sessions
9:30 - 10:00 AM Break in Exhibit Hall
10:00 - 12:00 PM Concurrent Sessions
10:00 - 12:00 PM IRWA Membership Meeting
12:00 - 1:00 PM Tuesday Luncheon
1:00 - 1:30 PM Exhibit Hall *$500 Cash Giveaway*
1:30 - 3:30 PM Concurrent Sessions
3:30 - 4:30 PM Break in Exhibit Hall/Raffle Drawings
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - See Full Schedule
7:15 - 8:30 AM Registration/Full Breakfast
8:00 - 10:00 AM Concurrent Sessions
10:00 - 10:15 AM Break
10:15 - 11:15 AM Concurrent Sessions
11:15 - 12:00 PM Lunch
12:00 - 2:00 PM Concurrent Sessions
2:00 PM CEUs
Questions about our conference?
Contact Cathy at 641-787-0330 or claw@iowaruralwater.org