Early Bird Sessions

EARLY BIRD A: IS FLORIDA READY FOR POTABLE REUSE?

As Florida’s population grows, the demand for water will also grow – and not just for human consumption. Whether the goal is feeding a hungry nation, or electrifying homes, businesses and our transportation systems, we will continue to need more water. Ensuring a sustainable supply of water is integral to a robust economy and high quality of life. While conservation is an important tool, Florida has long recognized the critical importance of water reuse to meet the needs of thirsty communities and protect against environmental degradation.

Until recent decades, water was used once, minimally treated and then returned to the environment. Scientific advances and innovative technologies now enable us to accelerate the natural purification process to ensure a safe and reliable water supply for a range of uses, including manufacturing, irrigation and energy generation, and Florida has long been a national leader in this trend. But what about drinking water? Other states are already doing it. Will we be left behind?

Join us for an intriguing discussion of the policies needed to advance potable water reuse in the Sunshine State! Come prepared with your questions and interact with our star-studded panel of experts as they highlight successful policies and projects that have led to economic development, sustained agriculture, and environmental restoration. For educational purposes and pure entertainment value, we will break this subject down into four topical areas:

1.     The Lawyer Panel – What are the current rules and regulations that govern the reuse of treated water? Can potable reuse be implemented under current regulations? (Hint: it is, kind of…) What legislation passed, could be passed, or should be passed to expand reuse beyond non-potable water supply?  John Shearer (moderator), Laura Donaldson, Eric Olsen

2.     The Executive Directors Panel – What are the latest trends and recent successes in conservation and alternative water supply? What we will be doing to meet the demands in 5 years? 10 years? 20 years?  Herschel Vinyard (moderator), Brian Armstrong, Ann Shortelle, Drew Bartlett, Hugh Thomas, Brett Cyphers

3.     The Professionals on Potable Reuse – What do the scientists and engineers think about it? If we can remove most contaminants down to the parts per trillion, how hard can this really be?  Jon Arthur (moderator), Anne Murray, Chuck Drake, Bart Weiss

4.     The “Smooth Talkers” Panel – So how do we sell this idea to Floridians? What are the public relations strategies that have been successfully (and unsuccessfully) employed in other states?  Amy Tracy (moderator), Paul Steinbrecher, Lynn Spivey, Kerry Kates

EARLY BIRD B:  THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR THE PRACTICING ENGINEER

This course has been completely redesigned! Come join our panel of experts in a 4-hour interactive, small group setting, as they provide the practicing engineer with the keys to a successful practice, including the essential updates that govern the practice of engineering in the state of Florida and the latest “best practices” to manage professional risk to yourself and your firm. Our experts will help guide you with concrete strategies and tips for managing risks, including work practices, protective contract language, and decipher the complexities of other risk management tools such as insurance and bonding. Additionally, you will receive the latest instruction on any changes to the rules and statutes affecting the engineer, as well as any guidance resulting from individual disciplinary and unlicensed practice cases. Don’t miss this opportunity to tune up your professional practice knowledge, and prepare yourself and your firm to manage professional risk. (As a bonus, you will also be satisfying your biennial Laws, Rules and Ethics continuing education requirements in a far more rewarding way than taking another online quiz!)  Instructors:  Michael Harding, George Powell, Kellie Tomeo