APWA Congress heads to sunny California

The APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition takes place Aug. 26-29 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif. Aptly themed “Walking on Sunshine,” this year’s event promises to provide public works professionals with educational and exhibition offerings that range from high-tech to high-impact.

The expo portion of the event will provide the more than 5,000 attendees with opportunities to view product displays and showcase presentations from more than 400 exhibitors in approximately 90,000 square feet of exhibit floor.

Professional development, education and training for the public works professionals at the congress covers areas including:

Career and personal development

Construction management

Emergency management

Engineering and technology

Environment/sustainability

Facilities

Fleet services

Management

Parks and grounds

Snow and ice

Solid waste

Stormwater

Streets/roads/bridges

Traffic operations

Utilities/right-of-way

Water and wastewater

In addition, there will be live interviews with session speakers throughout the week and chances to connect with colleagues. Organizers promise opportunities for discovery, creativity, learning and illumination of the spirit, as well as fun events.

Some of those events include a first-timers’ meeting on Sunday geared to making the most of the educational sessions and exhibits. A get-acquainted party Sunday evening, hosted by APWA’s Southern California Chapter, with music by Catch a Wave, offers networking and California hospitality as guests are transported to the 1960s for a beach party.

Attendees will have an opportunity to give back Monday and Tuesday with the APWA blood drive for anyone who qualifies.

APWA’s awards and recognition ceremony takes place Monday evening, as well as a young-professionals networking reception. A 5K run, a baseball game, golf and sightseeing tours are among the many recreational options available.

Keynote-speaker lineup

Opening the general session

ABC News broadcast journalist Bob Woodruff is Sunday’s, (Aug. 26) general-session keynote speaker. His topic: “In an Instant.” Woodruff joined ABC News in 1996 and was named co-anchor of ABC’s “World News Tonight” in 2005. While reporting from Iraq in January 2006, he was seriously injured by a roadside bomb.

In 2007, Bob and Lee Woodruff published the account of their lives after his injury: “In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing.” Woodruff will share his recovery story and perspective on the world.

General session Monday

Michio Kaku, theoretical physicist, author and futurist, has titled Monday’s (Aug. 27) general session address “Explorations in Science.” Kaku is a recognized figure in science around the globe. As co-founder of String Field Theory, he holds the Henry Semat chair in theoretical physics at the City University of New York.

How close is the future? Should public works professionals start planning for roadways and traffic devices for cars that will drive themselves? What will be the energy sources of the future — will it be cold fusion or hot fusion or something else? Kaku will discuss those topics and more and will sign books after his presentation.

General session Tuesday

Jamie Clarke, extreme adventurer and master storyteller, will speak to the Tuesday (Aug. 28) general session on the topic “Above All Else: The Power of Passion.” Clarke has twice climbed to the summit of Mount Everest.

Clarke will share the lessons he learned during his extreme adventures and how they apply to organizational challenges, teamwork and leadership.

Closing the general session on Wednesday

Simon T. Bailey wraps up the general session Wednesday (Aug. 29) on a bright note with his topic “Release Your Brilliance — How to Show Up, Be Accountable and Drive Results.” Bailey is founder of the Brilliance Institute and author of “The Vuja de (voo-ja-day) Moment: Shift from Average to Brilliant and Release Your Brilliance.” Bailey believes in immediate action steps and teaches audiences how to creatively release leadership and organizational brilliance.

Learn more
here about the 2012 APWA Congress and Expo.