Ignite the future of water
At the 2027 WQA Convention, we are not just discussing the future of water, we are activating it. “Ignite” is a call to move beyond ideas and into action.
The water quality industry thrives because professionals like you share hard-won insights and innovative solutions. We are assembling a program of bold thinkers and problem-solvers ready to share what works and what doesn’t – and what comes next.
If you have insights that can change how this industry operates, communicates or delivers results, this is your stage.
Proposals must align with at least one of the following:
- Water Treatment & Contaminants: Break down complexity. Unlock solutions.
Advance understanding of contaminants, treatment technologies and practical applications that improve water quality outcomes. - Field Mastery: Sharpen your edge.
Elevate installation, service and troubleshooting excellence through real-world techniques and best practices. - Market Development & Customer Education: Win the trust that drives decisions.
Strengthen how our industry communicates value, educates consumers, and builds lasting credibility. - Business Growth & Strategy: Grow with intention, not chaos.
Explore scalable strategies, operational discipline and smart decision-making for sustainable growth. - Workforce, Leadership & Culture: Build the team that builds your future.
Address talent development, leadership evolution and culture as critical drivers of success.
Want more details? Review WQA’s Convention content document for a deeper understanding of our targeted content areas and target audiences.
We strongly encourage proposals that move beyond lecture-based delivery:
- Case studies – challenges, missteps, and lessons learned
- Field-driven operational insights
- Research and statistical insights
- Interactive, hands-on sessions
- Ignite Talks – 5 minutes to deliver a big idea with clarity and energy, with 20 slides auto advancing every 15 seconds (An example: WQA’s Tanya Lubner speaking at the 2025 Private Well Conference)
To maintain the integrity and credibility of the program:
- Sales pitches and product-focused presentations will not be considered
- Content must be educational, unbiased and broadly applicable
- Sessions should prioritize insight over promotion and impact over exposure
Sessions that get selected:
- Translate expertise into clear, actionable insight
- Demonstrate real-world applications, not theory alone
- Share authentic lessons, including failures and pivots
- Engage audiences through interaction, not just presentation
- Deliver content that sparks immediate action and long-term impact
Sessions that get rejected:
- Are sales pitches or product promotion
- Focus on a single company rather than industry insight
- Offer high-level concepts without practical application
- Have descriptions that don’t explain what will be covered
- Have been presented repeatedly without updates or new insights
continuing professional development (cPD) credit eligibility guidelines
NOTE: Not all sessions are expected to qualify for CPDs, as we value a diverse program that includes both technical education and broader business, leadership and market insights.
To be considered for CPD credit, the entirety of the delivery must be educational, non-promotional or sales-driven content that strengthens the technical knowledge and capabilities of water quality professionals. CPD eligibility is determined through content review and alignment with WQA standards. Session topics that qualify for CPD:
- Technical Field Issues and Treatment Solutions
- Water Chemistry
- Contaminants
- Regulations and Codes
what you’ll submit
WQA’s Call for Proposals form will ask you to provide:
Speaker Information
- Name, title, organization
- Contact details
- Agreement to Speaker Terms
Session overview
- Title
- Description (150 words max)
- Biography (150 words max)
- Learning Objectives (1-3)
Session Design
- Length (45 minutes, or a 5-minute Ignite session)
- Format (lecture, panel, interactive, roundtable facilitation, others)
- Learning technique (How you will actively engage participants, such as with case studies, photos, sharing research or statistics)
strategic alignment
- Primary content strategy area
- Target audience (owner/executive, installer/technician, sales, marketing)
- Application focus (residential, commercial, small public water system)
additional context
- Prior presentations of this content (Has this presentation been shared at any other events? If so, where and when?)
- Interest in additional WQA education opportunities (if your session is not selected for this event, please indicate whether you would like to be considered for other educational opportunities)
key dates
- Submission Deadline: Sept. 8, 2026
- Acceptance Notifications: November 2026