WASDA Annual Meeting 2024

Your Voice of the Industry

 

The WASDA Annual Meeting is scheduled for February 17 – 21, 2024. The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is a lush destination, nestled in paradise. Placid charm of beachfront, sapphire seas, and the natural beauty of El Yunque rainforest await you.

Join your industry colleagues and peers this February for an honest-to-goodness, in-person event. To learn about the Schedule, Registration, Accommodations, and more, keep scrolling.

 
Register Today!

 

Important Note: Each member company must pay their 2024 WASDA Membership Dues and any outstanding invoices before registering for the Annual Meeting. There will be a section to renew your WASDA membership once you login to your WASDA account for registration.

 

Access to the Registrant List: Members can access the Registrant List for the WASDA Annual Meeting 2024 by logging into their WASDA account on wasda.com/login. The Registrant List is posted directly on the Member Landing Page once logged in. This list will be updated at the end of each week starting Friday, December 15th. 

 

About the Event

The WASDA Annual Meeting (February 17 – 21, 2024) is the perfect platform for professionals in the water and sewer industries to gather for networking, learn about trends and challenges in the industry, and celebrate our community. Spouses and Guests are invited to attend alongside the industry attendee but are also required to register for badges.

 

Registration Badges

Secure your registration badge today! Please note that all fees are in USD.

Important Note: Each member company must pay their 2024 WASDA Membership Dues before registering for the Annual Meeting. Please make dues payment before registering. Contact WASDA at [email protected] or 630.672.3670 with any questions.

 
Category

Early Bird Rate

Through January 19th

Regular Rate

After January 19th
1st and 2nd Delegates

(Same Company)

 

$850 / per person

 

$950 / per person
3rd and Additional Delegates*

(Same Company)

 

 $750 / per person

 

$850 / per person
Spouse/Guest

 

$600 / per person

 

 $700 / per person
Bernie M. Pipan Memorial 5K Walk/Run

 

$75 / per person

 

$75 / per person

Golf Tournament

Note: Limited Golf Club Rentals are available. 

Please note your rental needs during registration. The Course will contact you accordingly.

 

 

 

$225 / per person

  

 

$225 / per person

   

Please note the following items:
  • The registration fee is per person. The fee per person for the first two registrants is $850.00 / $950.00. The fee per person for any additional registrants is $750.00 / $850.00.
  • The Early Bird rate is automatically applied until Friday, January 19th.
  • *Two (2) Delegates from your company must be registered before selecting the "Third and Additional Delegates" registration type.
  • Spouses/Guests are individuals that do not work in the industry.

 

Register Today!

 

Registration Tips

To register for the WASDA Annual Meeting, you will need your WASDA login credentials.

  • Your username is your email address associated with WASDA.
  • If you do not remember your password, please select "Forgot Password" to reset your password.
  • If you are a new user/member and do not have WASDA login credentials, please contact our office at the below information to set up a profile.

If you experience technical difficulties, please clear your web browser’s cookies, cache, and history in your web browser's "Settings."

Please contact Kaitlin O’Brien, WASDA Association Manager, at [email protected] if you continue to experience technical difficulties during registration.

 

Cancellation & Refunds

Cancellations received by Friday, January 19th, 2024, will receive a full refund. No refunds will be issued after Friday, January 19th. Cancellations must be in writing and sent to [email protected]. Please allow thirty (30) days for the processing of refunds. 

If the event cannot take place due to reasons of Force Majeure, WASDA will provide monetary credits for registrations fees purchased in 2024 for this event. 

 

Payment

Payment is accepted via online payment, a mailed check, or by fax. The following credit cards are accepted by WASDA: VISA, MasterCard, and American Express.

Payments by check can be mailed to WASDA at 800 Roosevelt Road, C-312, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.

 

Safety Guidelines Consent

WASDA is committed to your safety and comfort at the WASDA Annual Meeting (February 17 – 21, 2024) will adhere to the guidelines and restrictions set forth by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, its elected Governor, and the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort at the time of the event. By registering as an attendee, I agree to abide by these guidelines and any restrictions.

 

Photography & Video Recording Consent

Photography and video recording will be used throughout WASDA Annual Meeting 2024 and at related activities. Registration and attendance at and/or participation in Annual Meeting or other activities constitutes an agreement and consent by each registrant or participant for WASDA and/or its licenses to use and distribute (both now and in the future) the image, likeness and voice of each registrant or participant (or family members) in photographs, videotapes, printed material, electronic reproductions, and audio recording that are taken or recorded at such event or related activities.

 

Schedule

Here’s what’s in store for 2024! The sequence of events will look familiar to those who frequent the Annual Meeting. For a quick Snapshot, note the following:

Saturday, February 17th

 

Arrivals

        

Sunday, February 18th

 

Board of Directors Meeting & Working Lunch

 

Committee Forums:

Program (PDC)

Membership & Marketing

Associate Member

Education, Industry & PR

 

Distributor-only pre-Reception* (60 minutes)

Welcome Reception & Dinner Party

    
Monday, February 19th

 

Scholarship Fund Board of Directors Meeting

 

Distributor-only Breakfast*

Associate-only Breakfast

General Business Session

 

 Education:

U.S. Policy Update for Waterworks &

Roundtables – Industry Relations

with Zack Perconti, WASDA Director of Government Affairs 

 

Future Leaders Council (FLC) Meet-up

All attendees are welcome!

 

Networking Reception

 
Tuesday, February 20th

 

The Bernie M. Pipan Memorial 5K Walk/Run

 

Education:

Economic Update with

Christopher Kuehl, PhD, Armada Corporate Intelligence

 

Annual Golf Tournament 

 

Networking Reception

 

 

 
Wednesday, February 21st

 

Board of Directors Meeting & Breakfast

 

 

      

 

 The schedule is subject to change. For a complete Schedule of Events, click below.

Complete Schedule of Events

 

Education

What would an Annual Meeting be without some critical content for running your business and managing your company’s bottom line? There are two key content areas that align with WASDA’s Strategic Planning Initiatives – Government Affairs and Economics. 

Check out the below presenters, hand-picked by the WASDA Professional Development Committee (PDC) and the WASDA Education Committee.

Government Affairs

U.S. Policy Update for Waterworks

Presenter: Zack Perconti, Principal, Government Affairs Solutions, LLC and WASDA Director of Government Affairs

Join us for this update on what is happening on The Hill in Washington, DC! It’s a New Year with a new U.S. Congress in session. A review of current regulatory activity and the impact of U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act on the waterworks industry will be addressed.  

About the Presenter:

Zack Perconti

Zack Perconti, a graduate of the College of William & Mary and the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, has worked on infrastructure and labor issues since 2016. He has deep knowledge of U.S. legislative, budgetary, and regulatory processes and is an expert on grassroots communication. This has translated into high effectiveness in achieving clients’ government-relations objectives. Zack is an accomplished home chef, and he enjoys hiking with his wife, Ariela, and their dog, Sadie.

     

Economics

Economic Update: A Year in Review

Presenter: Chris Kuehl, Ph.D., Armada Corporate Intelligence

A WASDA Favorite is back. You heard Dr. Kuehl offer an industry-tailored assessment of issues, challenges, and strategies to grow your business in Tucson, Arizona last February. He’s back in 2024 to review what has happened in the U.S. during the past 10 to 12 months and how it may impact your business.  

About the Presenter: 

Dr. Christopher Kuehl (PhD)

Chris Kuehl, PhD is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence and one of the co-founders of the company in 1999. He has been Armada’s economic analyst and has worked with a wide variety of private clients and professional associations in the last ten years. He is the Chief Economist for the National Association for Credit Management and is on the Board of Advisors for their global division – Finance, Credit and International Business. He prepares NACM’s monthly Credit Managers Index. He is the Economic Analyst for the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association and writes their bi-weekly publication, Fabrinomics, which details the impact of economic trends on the manufacturer. 

Chris is the chief editor for the Business Intelligence Briefs, distributed all over the world by business organizations and he is one of the primary writers (with Keith Prather) for the Executive Intelligence Briefs. He also makes close to a hundred presentations each year to business and industry associations in the US and overseas. He is on the Board of the Business Information Industry Association in Hong Kong and serves as a resource for the media and for many trade publications.

Chris has a doctorate in Political Economics and advanced degrees in Soviet Studies and Asian Studies and was a professor of international economics and finance for over 15 years prior to starting Armada.

     

Annual Golf Tournament

  • When: Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
  • Tee Off: 1 PM AST
  • Round Fee: $225 inclusive (excludes Golf Club Rentals)

Experience golf with an ocean view at Rio Mar Country Club! The WASDA Annual Golf Tournament is ideal for an afternoon of sharing and networking. 

The Ocean Course was designed by legendary course architects Tom and George Fazio and lies between the mountains of El Yunque rainforest and the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. This 6,716-year course winds among lakes and the natural contours of the land, offering gorgeous and challenging play. Enjoy the magical moment of playing in the ocean breezes with the sound of waves on our signature beachfront par 3, 16th hole. The signature 16th hole, an oceanside par 3, 238 years, always rates among the Caribbean’s best.

 
Golf Club Rentals

Golf Club Rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in 2024. Golfers are responsible for their own golf club rental charges which will be paid on-site. As part of WASDA’s online registration process, golfers will request club rentals (right or left-handed clubs; men’s or women’s clubs). Club rentals are $70 plus taxes and per player. Please plan to pay onsite at the golf course.

It is highly recommended that golfers secure club rentals as soon as possible. WASDA anticipates a higher number of club rentals due to the offshore location of the venue. All club sets are standard length and standard shaft flex. Contact Branden at 787.888.7060 or at [email protected] with any additional questions regarding club rentals.

 
Golf Hole Sponsorships
Are you interested in purchasing a Golf Hole Sponsorship?

All proceeds will go to the WASDA Scholarship Fund!

If yes, your company can purchase a Golf Hole Sponsorship for $1,000.00 during registration. All proceeds will go directly to the WASDA Scholarship Fund.

Please note the below items:

  • Sponsored flags will be placed on the Ocean Course for the WASDA Golf Tournament on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024.
  • Each company will have an exclusive sponsorship of one hole on the golf course. The flag will include the sponsored company's name with the WASDA logo.
  • Participation in the WASDA Golf Tournament is not a requirement.
  • No refunds will be provided once a sponsorship is purchased.
 
Please note that there are only 18 sponsorship opportunities. Only one opportunity per company is permitted.
  

Accommodations

THE WASDA BLOCK IS CLOSED.

Phone: If you need additional assistance, please contact the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort at 1.800.474.6627.

If the group rate is no longer available, prevailing rates may be considered. All reservations must be accompanied by a first night’s room and tax deposit or confirmed via a major credit card. 

The current tax on the guestroom rate is 11 percent. There is a $2.50 housekeeping gratuity per day plus a $7 one-time Porterage fee per person. Both items are taxed at 11.5 percent.

Check-in & Check-out:  is currently at 4:00 Atlantic Standard Time (AST). Check-out is currently at 11:00 AM Atlantic Standard Time (AST).

Cancellation Policy: Guestroom reservations must be cancelled no less than three (3) days or seventy-two (72) hours prior to the arrival date on each reservation to avoid a fee of one night’s room and applicable tax. All no-shows that occur after the group’s reservation cut-off date for the period of main group dates will be charged first night’s room and applicable tax.

*Resort Fee: The Resort fee is 19 percent of the guestroom rate and includes the following items.

  • The Long-distance phone access (toll-free, credit card & collect calls)
  • Unlimited local calls (town of Rio Grande only)
  • Internal Resort shuttle transportation
  • Unlimited use of Fitness Center
  • Daily local English newspaper
  • Use of in-room safe
  • Unlimited driving range golf balls
  • Casino $10 in Match Play Vouchers only**
  • Recreational Amenities, Daily Guest Activities
  • Beach & Pool Towels, Lounge Chairs and Umbrellas
  • Beach Attendant Service
  • 2 Complimentary Bottled Waters in Room with Daily Replenishment
  • In- Room Puerto Rican Coffee and Tea Presentation
  • Luggage Storage for Early Arrivals or Late Departures
  • Use of Computers for Printing Boarding Passes
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access in guestroom
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi access in public areas of the resort

**Casino Match Play Voucher: To receive $10 match play Voucher, Guest must become a member of the Casino Players Club (Casino to require valid driver’s license or passport to open an account), limit to $10 per night. Casino Match Play has no Cash value. Must be 18 years of age or older and must show valid picture ID (Driver’s License or Passport)

  
Reserve Guestroom(s) Here!

 

Off-site Excursions

Looking for outdoor adventure? Puerto Rico has it and more!

Snorkeling, night kayaking, exploring El Yunque Rainforest, horseback riding, strolling in San Juan, tackle fishing… choose your adventure.

Why wait? February is high season in Puerto Rico. You can secure your adventure before arriving on the island. In fact, it is recommended that you book a minimum of 2 – 3 weeks prior to the date of the activity. Tour dates and times fill-up quickly, especially for snorkeling and ATVs.

Make online reservations here: fareharbor.com/gsipuertorico

Did you know that the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar has an on-site tour desk?

The GSI Tour Desk is open daily from 8:00am – 5:00pm. Contact GSI by phone (787.657.1510) or e-mail ([email protected]). For a prompt response, e-mail is recommended.

Booking a group for an excursion? You can do that. Be prepared to provide the following details either via phone or e-mail: Contact Name and Phone Number, Activity/Tour, Date for Activity/Tour, and the number of participants.

Payment by Credit Card is required. 

Travel Information

The Heart & Soul of the Caribbean

Rich history and culture, exceptional food, pristine beaches majestic mountains, relaxation, adventure – all packed into one sun-kissed Caribbean paradise. Puerto Rico is full of people who are welcoming and buena gente (which is Boricua lingo for kind and friendly). Here, you will feel like you are family. There is a celebration of life, a vibrant cultural experience, food for the soul, and captivating rhythm.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. Territory and a self-governing Commonwealth. The chief of state is the President of the United States of America. The head of government in Puerto Rico is an elected Governor. Puerto Rican institutions control internal affairs unless U.S. law is involved, as in matters of public health and pollution.

Currently, a valid U.S. Driver’s license with photo is sufficient for entering Puerto Rico (and returning main side to North America). For further information on Puerto Rico and its relationship with the U.S., click here.

Note that USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) prohibits or restricts the entry of many agricultural products from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands into the U.S. mainland, including most fresh fruits and vegetables, certain types of plants and flowers, and certain pork and pork products.

For further information regarding travel to and from Puerto Rico, review the Traveler’s Guide and Discover Puerto Rico.

  

Regions

Did you know that Puerto Rico is comprised of six regions? The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Puerto Rico Golf & Beach Resort is in the East region that boasts of secluded beaches, tropical cays, and a legendary rainforest – El Yunque. For further information on the East region, click here.

  

Airport

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport (Airport Code: SJU)* is in the Metro region and is approximately 35 to 40 minutes from the resort. Check flight options accordingly. Note that ground travel times will vary pending time of day and traffic patterns between the airport in San Juan and the resort. Please plan accordingly. For a map, click Google Map. *Use Google Translator as required for this Website.

  

Ground Transportation

Visit the Ground Transportation page on the airport website. Here are a few options:

  • Uber operates in Puerto Rico. The estimated fee for one-way rides between SJU and the resort is $75 to $90 US. Advanced reservations with Uber are recommended.
  • The discounted self-parking fee at the resort is $15 / night plus 11 percent tax.
 

Dining Experiences

It is recommended that advanced reservations are made for restaurants at the resort and off-site.

    • Carabalí Bar & Grill                                     2.7 miles
    • Don Pepe                                                    1.9 miles
    • Richie's Restaurant                                    1.3 miles
    • Dos Panza Taqueria y Cantina                  1.8 miles
    • La Parrilla                                                   3.8 miles
    • Terruño                                                       4.8 miles
    • La Estación                                                 at El Conquistador
    • Café Bella Vista                                          at El Conquistador
For additional options in Puerto Rico, click here. For restaurant in the East region, click here.

 

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact WASDA at [email protected] or 630.672.3670.