ACE06 Offers Broad International Focus
The American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE), currently underway in San Antonio, Texas, has drawn attendees from more than 60 countries. Many will participate in the International Buyer Program (IBP), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
"The International Buyers Program has been extremely successful in years past, and we are pleased to work with the U.S. Department of Commerce again to promote international trade through ACE06," said AWWA Executive Director Jack Hoffbuhr. "By helping U.S. suppliers in the water industry connect with global firms that can use their services, ACE06 truly is the World's Water Event."
A joint government-industry effort, the IBP promotes U.S. exports by increasing the number of foreign buyers visiting major U.S. trade exhibitions, matching international buyers with domestic companies, and offering onsite assistance. An international business center is featured at each IBP trade show and staffed by trade specialists form the Department of Commerce. Services available at the center include export counseling, as well as interpreters and conference rooms for business negotiations. An online system has been set up to match international firms with U.S. companies that best meet their needs.
The World's Water Event will feature several additional opportunities specifically aimed at the international audience:
- The International Resource Center will feature an international attendee lounge, rosters of attendees by country, information regarding companies interested in doing business in certain areas of the world, and information on all ACE programs and events.
- The International Reception offers opportunities for international attendees to socialize with colleagues from around the world and discuss international issues with those colleagues, as well as AWWA leadership and International Council members.
- The International Council is sponsoring an International Advisory Forum, an informal meeting of country associations to allow the leaders to sit down and exchange ideas on roles and activities of their associations.
- Professional sessions of international interest include Responding to Fast Growth, Alternatives to Conventional Water Resource Development, Desalination: Global Case Studies, and Point of Use Systems.