NC One Water
2026 One Water Annual Conference
Date/Time
11/2/2026 - 11/4/2026
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Eastern
Event Description
NC One Water Annual Conference - November 2-4, Raleigh, NC - Every Drop Counts

The NC One Water Annual Conference brings together members and non-members from across the water and wastewater industries. It is an engagement-first experience built around continuing education, live competitions, and exhibitors, with real opportunities to learn, lead, and connect.

When
Monday, November 2 through
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
  
Where
Raleigh Convention Center
500 S Salisbury St.
Raleigh, NC 27601
  
Contact
Shelby Kea handles registration questions.
skea@nconewater.org
Program
Tentative schedule and speaker list as of October 6, 2026. Sessions, speakers, times, and room assignments are still being confirmed and are subject to change. This page will be updated as the program is finalized.
Schedule at a Glance
Forum: The Annual Conference Forum has moved to Monday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. in Room 306 ABC, leading into the Opening Session.
 
Six Technical Tracks: Water Resources, Wastewater Treatment, Collection & Distribution, Policy & Management, Special Topics, and Students and Young Professionals. Tracks run concurrently Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
Staggered Lunch: On Tuesday and Wednesday, lunch runs from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the technical tracks break in two waves so sessions keep running. Check your track in the detailed program below.
 
Ethics: A one-hour Ethics Session, The Ethics Gap in Water's AI Revolution, will be held Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Policy & Management room.
Monday, November 2
12:00 – 4:30 p.m. Early Badge Pickup Open
300 Level
1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Conference Forum
Room 306 ABC
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Workshop: Tackling the Water Workforce Challenge: Quick Wins
Christy Ihlo, Deputy Director, Environmental Finance Center, UNC School of Government • Room 305AB
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Opening Session
Keynote by Jared Bowden, Director of the State Climate Office of North Carolina • Room 306 ABC
4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Welcome Social
Exhibit Hall, Reception Lounge
5:45 – 6:15 p.m. 5S Inductions & Awards
Exhibit Hall, Main Stage
Tuesday, November 3
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Badge Pickup & Help Desk Open
Exhibit Hall, Registration Hub
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Good Morning Kick Off
Exhibit Hall, Reception Lounge
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Student Posters on Display
8:00 – 11:45 a.m. Technical Sessions, All Tracks
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Competition: Hydrant Hysteria
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Morning Break & Exhibitor Networking
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Tracks continue on a staggered schedule at 12:00 and 12:45
12:00 – 1:15 p.m. SYP Lunch & Panel
Room 305AB
12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Operations Challenge: Process Control, Maintenance, and Lab Events
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
1:30 – 5:15 p.m. Technical Sessions, All Tracks
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Competition: Pipe Tapping Prelims
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. Competition: Pipe Tapping Finals
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Break & Exhibitor Networking
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Student Poster Judging
Exhibit Hall, Main Stage
4:00 – 5:15 p.m. Women of Water Networking Event
Room 301AB
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Competitions Q&A
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
5:15 – 6:30 p.m. Exhibitor Happy Hour & Door Prizes
Exhibit Hall, Reception Lounge
Wednesday, November 4
7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Badge Pickup & Help Desk Open
Exhibit Hall, Registration Hub
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Good Morning Kick Off
Exhibit Hall, Reception Lounge
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. AWWA Community Session
Room 305AB
8:00 – 11:45 a.m. Technical Sessions, All Tracks
9:15 – 10:30 a.m. NC One Water Specialties Community Session
Room 305AB
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Competition: Meter Madness
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Morning Break & Exhibitor Networking
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Operations Challenge: Safety and Collections Events
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
10:45 – 11:45 a.m. WEF Community Session
Room 305AB
11:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch in the Exhibit Hall
Tracks continue on a staggered schedule at 12:00 and 12:45
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Best Tasting Water Contest
Exhibit Hall, Main Stage
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 5S Lunch
Room 305AB
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Competition: Relay Race
Exhibit Hall, Competition Area
1:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Closes
1:30 – 5:15 p.m. Technical Sessions, All Tracks
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Ethics Session
Policy & Management Room, 306ABC
1:30 – 5:00 p.m. Late Badge Pickup & Help Desk Open
300 Level
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Panel 1: Utility Executive Perspectives: Leadership Influence and Team Development
Room 305AB
3:30 – 4:00 p.m. Afternoon Break
300 Level
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Panel 2: Building Future Ready Utilities: Executive Perspectives on Key Investments
Room 305AB
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Happy Hour Social
Ballroom C Lobby
6:30 – 9:00 p.m. Awards Ceremony
Ballroom C
Continuing Education Credits: Technical Sessions will be approved for Water and/or Wastewater Continuing Education Credit. Any course approved for Water or Wastewater Credit is also approved for PE PDHs. Based on the current draft program, attendees can earn up to 2.5 hours on Monday, 5.5 on Tuesday, and 5.5 on Wednesday.
Technical Session Rooms
Track Tuesday Wednesday
Water Resources Exhibit Hall Exhibit Hall (a.m.), 304 (p.m.)
Wastewater Treatment 302ABC 302ABC
Collection & Distribution Exhibit Hall Exhibit Hall (a.m.), 301AB (p.m.)
Policy & Management 306ABC 306ABC
Special Topics 303 303
Students & Young Professionals 305AB n/a
Community Sessions & Panels n/a 305AB
Detailed Technical Program

The full session list for Tuesday and Wednesday, with titles, speakers, and rooms for all six tracks, is posted on its own page so it stays easy to scan on a phone.

Program subject to change. Last updated October 6, 2026.

Registration
Registration Rates & Deadlines
Early registration has closed. Standard rates are in effect through Tuesday, October 20. Late rates begin Wednesday, October 21.
Standard • Now through October 20  
Ticket Member Utility Member Non-Member
Full $600.00 $622.50 $645.00
Monday $150.00 $172.50 $195.00
Tuesday $333.00 $355.50 $378.00
Wednesday $333.00 $355.50 $378.00
Retired $175.00 n/a n/a
Late • Beginning October 21
Ticket Member Utility Member Non-Member
Full $645.00 $667.50 $690.00
Monday $195.00 $217.50 $240.00
Tuesday $378.00 $400.50 $423.00
Wednesday $378.00 $400.50 $423.00
Retired $175.00 n/a n/a
Events & Networking
For registered attendees only. Conference events, sessions, and networking activities are available only to registered conference attendees. Be sure to register for the conference to take part.
Pre-Conference
Annual Timmons Group Pre-Conference Clay Shoot. Kick off conference week with a friendly clay shoot, sponsored by Timmons Group. 
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE CLAY SHOOT 
Networking

Monday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. • First Time Attendee & New Member Networking Luncheon. New to the conference or to NC One Water? Start your week with lunch and introductions at Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing, 201 S Boylan Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE NETWORKING LUNCHEON

Monday, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. • Exhibit Hall Welcome Social. Kick off your conference week with us. Catch up with colleagues and make new connections.

Monday, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. • 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament. Join us for a friendly fundraising competition. Hosted by the NC One Water Membership Engagement Community and the Students and Young Professionals Network during the Welcome Social.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

Monday, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. • Pre-Conference SYP Happy Hour. Students and young professionals, keep the evening going at Boxcar Bar and Arcade, 330 W Davie St., Raleigh, NC 27601.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SYP HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday & Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. • Good Morning Kick Off. Start each day in the Engagement Lounge with coffee and conversation before sessions begin.

Tuesday, 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. • SYP Lunch & Panel. Connect with peers and learn from seasoned experts. 

Tuesday, 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. • Women of Water Networking Event. A casual afternoon networking event for women in the industry. No pre-registration necessary.

Tuesday, 5:15 – 6:30 p.m. • Exhibitor Happy Hour & Door Prizes. Mix and mingle with our top-tier industry exhibitors in the exhibit hall.

Wednesday, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. • AWWA Community Session. Connect with your local and national AWWA community.

Wednesday, 9:15 – 10:30 a.m. • NC One Water Specialties Community Session. Hear what is ahead for the association and get involved.

Wednesday, 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. • WEF Community Session. Connect with your local and national WEF community.

Wednesday, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. • Executive Panels. Two panel sessions in Room 305AB: Utility Executive Perspectives: Leadership Influence and Team Development and Building Future Ready Utilities: Executive Perspectives on Key Investments.

Competitions & Contests

Best Tasting Water Contest. Prove your system has the best tasting water in North Carolina.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON BEST TASTING WATER

Student Poster Contest. Hosted by the Students and Young Professionals Network. Judging takes place Tuesday from 3:30 to 4:00 p.m. on the Exhibit Hall Main Stage.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE STUDENT POSTER CONTEST 

Annual Photo Contest. Share your best water-themed photography and compete for top honors.

Annual Conference Competitions. Watch the action all week in the Exhibit Hall Competition Area.CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON COMPETITIONS

Pipe Tapping
Tuesday, prelims 2:00 p.m. and finals 3:15 p.m.		   Operations Challenge
Tuesday 12:00 p.m. and Wednesday 10:30 a.m.		   Hydrant Hysteria
Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.		   Meter Madness
Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.

Also on the schedule: A Relay Race on Wednesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and a Competitions Q&A on Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. for anyone thinking about fielding a team next year.

Students and Young Professionals

Monday, November 2 • 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.  Get a head start on networking at the Pre-Conference SYP Happy Hour at Boxcar Bar and Arcade, 330 W Davie St., Raleigh.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE SYP HAPPY HOUR

Tuesday, November 3  Launch your career in the water industry and sharpen those networking skills! On Tuesday, we have a dedicated track just for students and new industry professionals in Room 305AB, as well as an SYP Lunch & Panel from 12:00 to 1:15 p.m. All current high school and college students can attend Student Day free of charge.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON THE FREE STUDENT DAY
RSVP Required
Brilliance in Every Drop Awards Celebration
Wednesday, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in Ballroom C

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we dine and celebrate the shining stars of North Carolina's water industry. National, Local, and Conference Awards will all be presented. A Happy Hour Social begins at 5:15 p.m. in the Ballroom C Lobby, and doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Check your conference registration confirmation email for RSVP instructions. If you did not receive a confirmation email, or you are attending as part of a sponsorship, reach out to Mallory Burch at MBurch@nconewater.org to RSVP. Space is limited.

Volunteering

This conference would not be possible without the help of our volunteers. Setup, registration, badge scanning, and more: every volunteer makes an impact, and every drop counts!

Log in to your NC One Water profile (or create a new profile) to view all of our volunteer opportunities.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer Recognition Giveaway. By volunteering, you are entered into our volunteer recognition giveaway! Winners will be drawn at random on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 9:00 a.m. and contacted by text. Winners have one hour to claim their prize before a new winner is drawn. Prizes must be picked up between 1:30 and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the Registration Table on the 300 Level.

Opportunities to win:
• A set of two Adirondack chairs and a side table (two winners chosen)
• A $50 Amazon gift card (two winners chosen)
Hotel & Venue
Official Conference Hotels
Beware of scammers. These are the only room blocks sanctioned by NC One Water.
Residence Inn by Marriott
Raleigh Downtown
616 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Check-in Monday 11/2 - Check-out Thursday 11/5
Book Your Room

$275.00 USD per night
Last day to book: Monday, October 12, 2026 by 5PM
Raleigh Marriott City Center
500 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601
SOLD OUT
  
Sheraton Raleigh Hotel
421 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
SOLD OUT
Venue & Parking

The conference is held at the Raleigh Convention Center. For parking options and directions, view the Raleigh Convention Center parking map.

Exhibitors & Sponsors
Sponsorships
Now Open for Purchase
  
Exhibits
Now Open for Purchase

Sponsorships and exhibit booths are now open for purchase. Reserve yours below.

Exhibit Hall Hours
Monday, Nov. 2 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 7:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Interested in exhibiting or sponsoring? Explore the full lineup of opportunities in our sponsorship guide, or reach out to Mallory Burch at mburch@nconewater.org to learn more.

NC Water For People. Stop by the NC Water For People tables to take part in meaningful fundraising activities, including the Silent Auction and College Flag Competition.
Event Registration
Register for this Event
Event Type(s)
Conferences
Location
Raleigh Convention Center
500 S Salisbury St
Raleigh, NC 27601
UNITED STATES

Click here for Google Maps
Contact Person
Shelby Kea
(phone: (919) 784-9030)
Volunteering Session(s)
Click the links below to sign up to volunteer.

2026 One Water Annual Conference Volunteers (11/2/2026)
2026 Conference Workgroup Booth Volunteers (11/2/2026)
Outlook/vCalendar/Google
Click on the icon next to the date(s) to add to your calendar:
11/2/2026 - 11/4/2026   Outlook Calendar Apple Calendar Google Calendar
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