About
The role of public clean water utilities in their communities as anchor institutions – economically, socially, environmentally, and as stewards of public health – has never been more important. This is especially true as utilities take on a more proactive role to tell their own stories about what they do and why it matters so much. But the ability of utilities to communicate effectively about their critical role to their customers, their political leaders and the media has also never been more challenging – especially given the increasingly chaotic and polarizing daily news environment that is competing for peoples’ attention.
StratComm: H2O promises to deliver an informative and compelling program that will help clean water utility leaders and communications professionals alike cut through all the noise to develop and implement effective communications outreach that benefits their utilities and ratepayers. Topics will include how to address concerns around emerging contaminants like PFAS, the best way to handle crisis communications, the appropriate role of social media, protectively telling your utility’s positive story, developing and maintain relationships with key community constituencies, and effectively communicating internally with your utility staff – just to name a few!
Similar to last year, StratComm: H2O will have two full days of programming! This means even more time for both traditional, panel-style presentations as well as opportunities for more interactive breakout sessions, workshops on specific discussion topic, and networking.
So don’t miss this opportunity to gather with your clean water colleagues from around the country and engage in invaluable peer-to-peer learning at the only national workshop of its kind to focus on communications issues for the public clean water sector. See you in Virginia Beach!
Schedule at a Glance
Why Attend?
- Interact and learn from some of the best clean water communicators in the country.
- Experience a high-powered agenda designed to address the internal and external communications issues that face today’s clean water utilities.
- Explore how the latest developments and issues that have impacted successful utility communications and how to adapt to new and emerging challenges.
- Engage with a nationwide network of water sector communicators.
- Words from Past Attendees-
“Love the topics in the large sessions, as well as the break outs. I thought the topics were diverse and touched on what we face every day in the industry.”
“I found that StratComm (2022 and 2023) is by FAR the most valuable educational experience for my role in this industry. I'd recommend attending for any water communications professional, whether a seasoned pro or a newbie to the field or industry.”
"These are my people! It's the only major national conference for water utility communicators.”
“I walked away with a lot of ideas from this conference and appreciate all the hard work that went into planning the sessions.”
Register Now
Public Agency/ Supporting Affiliate
Corporate or Legal
Federal/State Representative*
*Please note this registration fee is for federal government agencies (e.g., EPA) and state department agencies (e.g., state permitting or regulatory departments) only.
Registration Information
Advance registrations must be received by Thursday, May 9, 2024. Advance registrants will receive confirmation via e-mail. Faxed and online registrations will be accepted after the deadline, but attendees may not be listed in the Participant List. If you have not received a confirmation within 5 business days after registering, please contact NACWA at registration@nacwa.org.
Full workshop registration fee includes access to all activities Tuesday through Wednesday, including but not limited to: plenary sessions and the evening social event. Meals included are: a plated lunch on Tuesday; and light food and beverage at the Tuesday evening reception. There will also be morning and afternoon beverage service Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.
Stay Connected
Use #StratComm24 to keep track of event chatter!
All-Conference Sponsors
Clean Water Champions
Clean Water Stewards
Clean Water Protectors
Clean Water Allies
