The Aquatech Innovation Forum will take place on Monday 4th November 2019 as part of the Amsterdam International Water Week (5-8 November 2019).
Netherlands: The first Aquatech Innovation Forum set for Monday 4 November nears completion. Around 30 speakers, including 15 water utilities, have confirmed to speak. Two ‘Unconferenced’ sessions where the agenda and speakers rise from the audience, guarantee disruption and the Spanish company GoAigua signed as ‘Headline Sponsor’.
With more than four months to go until its inaugural event, Aquatech is pleased to announce that 80 percent of the Conference Programme for the Innovation Forum is now complete.
A new addition to the Aquatech Global Events brand, the one-day forum now has 30 speakers confirmed, including 15 utilities, from over 15 countries globally. Water utilities confirmed to speak include: Aarhus Vand (Denmark); Anglian Water (UK); Emschergenossenschaft (Germany); Gothenborg City (Sweden); Washington Suburban Sanitary Comission (US); Vitens (Netherlands) & Coliban Water (Australia).
Taking place on Monday November 4, ahead of the well-established Aquatech Amsterdam exhibition, the tagline for the Innovation Forum is: Mastering Water’s Digital Transformation. The ambition is to showcase examples of digitalization in the global water market and create a platform where the entire water cycle can openly share examples. Topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous water treatment, solution interoperability, and smart cities and the role of Water 4.0 will be discussed throughout the day.
Leading with Unconferenced Content
Setting out to disrupt the traditional conference model, the Innovation Forum will include two ‘Unconferenced’ sessions, with no planned agenda or speaker list. The idea is that the conference agenda is put into the hands of the audience in a free-flowing, impromptu discussion. Two leading moderators have been secured to host these sessions: Will Sarni, founder and CEO of Water Foundry and Andrew Walker, CEO of BlueGold Marketing. The first Unconferenced session, led by Walker, will focus on broader innovation across the water and wastewater industries. This will then be followed by a second unplanned session, led by Sarni and which will delve deeper into the digital world. Another notable development is an afternoon ‘Data Dive’ workshop, led by data scientist Peter Prevos from utility Coliban Water in Australia.
Partner and Sponsor Support
As well as the conference development, Aquatech is pleased to confirm that five organizations have been secured as supporting partners: International Water Association (IWA), ICT4Water, Bluefield Research, Water Alliance and the Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN).
So far four companies have also confirmed sponsorship of the event, including Sensus as the ‘Great Wall’ sponsor, Acciona Agua as the ‘Breakfast Sponsor’ and DuPont Water Solutions as the ‘Wi-Fi sponsor’.
Spanish solutions provider GoAigua has also been confirmed as the ‘Headline Sponsor’, with the theme of digitalization fitting perfectly within the company’s activities.
Jaime Barba Sevillano, CEO of GoAigua, said: “We’re pleased to be the headline sponsor of the inaugural Innovation Forum. This type of event is exactly what the industry needs to bring together some of the world’s top water utilities. GoAigua has been delivering smart water solutions for over a decade to water utilities globally. We’re looking forward to taking part in the open discussions about digitalization and the future of water supply.”
Quenching the Digital Appetite
The Innovation Forum will be the third piece of the Aquatech puzzle and completes the trifecta of events taking place in the same week: the Aquatech Innovation Forum, Aquatech Innovation Award ceremony and large scale, water focused exhibition with over 25,000 water professionals expected.
Tom Freyberg, content director of Aquatech Global Events, said: “The progress we’ve made so far with the event proves that the focus of innovation, specifically in regards to digitalization in the water market, is really on point. There’s a real appetite among the water sector for more information and practical examples where data-driven solutions can improve water supply. “We really want to shake things up with the Forum, giving people an open, engaging platform where the speakers and audience change places fluidly. We want to create a carnival-type atmosphere and experience for water professionals.”
The Aquatech Innovation Forum will take place on Monday November 4th 2019 as part of the Amsterdam International Water Week.
The Amsterdam International Water Week offers an exclusive range of events to ensure everyone involved in water has a solid reason to be in Amsterdam. The Week connects the golden triangle: government, science and business. Every water related subject is on the table, every expertise is in the house. All taking shape in knowledge exchange, networking and business: from futuristic idea to practical, life size solutions.
Established in 1964 by RAI Amsterdam, Aquatech Global Events organises the world’s leading trade events in the process, drinking and waste water technology sectors in Europe, China and Mexico. The well-established format covers the following segments: Transport and Storage, Water Treatment, Point of Use, Process Control and Technology & Process Automation. Aquatech Global Events are visited by professionals from all parts of the water industry and attract policy-makers, top-level businesses, specialists, and those who apply the technology in practice.
Aquatech events are organized by RAI Amsterdam. RAI Amsterdam believes in the power of connecting. Since 1893, it has been bringing different worlds, people and markets together, at home in the RAI Convention Centre and abroad. The RAI is an international exhibition company and operates the RAI Convention Centre in the business district of Amsterdam. The RAI welcomes around 1.5 million visitors a year to approximately 500 events such as exhibitions, conventions and corporate events.
Upcoming Events Schedule
Aquatech Mexico: 3-4-5 September 2019
Aquatech Innovation Forum: 4 November 2019
Aquatech Amsterdam: 5-6-7-8 November 2019
Aquatech China: 3-4-5 June 2020
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