APWA Merges Sustainability Conference, Public Works Expo

The American Public Works Assn. (APWA) annual Sustainability in Public Works Conference has merged with the 2014 APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition taking place in Toronto, Canada, Aug. 17 to 20, 2014 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. As a result, APWA Congress’ new sustainability track will feature targeted sessions dedicated to educating attendees on the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects in an environmentally and socially responsible way that ensures the best economic choice in the long term.

The APWA International Congress’ sustainability track will feature 45 total education/activities about environment/ sustainability issues:

“The merger of the two APWA conferences allows more public works professionals to have access to important sustainability issues and solutions, and is reflective of the fact that sustainability traverses all areas of public works—water, roads, transportation, parks, asset management and emergency management—and should be presented to the broadest possible audience of public works professionals. These sessions are being presented by a variety of APWA Technical Committees and seasoned professionals from both sides of the border, and they reveal the breadth of the role that sustainability plays in our infrastructure, communities,and in our chosen profession,” said APWA Center for Sustainability Chair, Jennifer Winter, project director, at HR Green Inc.

The new sustainability track will also include a Sustainability Pavilion on the xhibit floor featuring exhibitors’ innovative tools, products and resources in sustainability. Also featured in the sustainability conference track is the Institute of Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) Envision Roundtable Super Session, in which participants will network with Envision users and discuss the applications and uses for the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system.

As building resilience in our cities has become more of an imperative than an option, public works and others involved in planning, building and operating infrastructure and public services must help stake out a vision and plan that prepares their city to adapt and respond to a growing set of challenges. Join the Center for Sustainability leaders and others in the Sustainability Roundtable discussion to identify challenges, solutions and needed resources. Participants will leave the roundtable better informed of best practices in community resiliency, connected to experts and with a greater understanding of the resources available through the APWA Center for Sustainability.

Source: APWA