2026 Spring Conference
Theme: Navigating Change, Shaping the Future
UWI 2026 Spring Conference
Join us February 25-27, 2026 at the Urban Water Institute’s 2026 Spring Conference in Indian Wells, California. Our Spring Conference Agenda will deliver timely topics and dynamic sessions you won't want to miss!
Leading experts will deliver presentations on today’s most pressing water management issues, representing a broad range of expertise and non-partisan perspectives. Conference highlights include enhanced networking opportunities, access to keynote speakers, meals and happy hours included with your Conference registration.
UWI Conferences bring together elite water leaders from throughout California representing public, private, nonprofit and academic organizations. This conference is sure to be one of the best water conferences of the year!
“UWI is the Goldilocks of water conferences…just the right balance of topical presentations and interactive sessions sprinkled with opportunities to make meaningful connections!”
- Jennifer Persike, Former Deputy Executive Director for the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA), Former Executive Director of Leadership California (LC), and President of Jennifer Persike & Co.
Spring Conference Registration
Online registration is now open for UWI's 2026 Spring Conference.
Please note: You will need a user account to begin the registration process. If you are registering multiple attendees, each attendee will need a profile with a unique email address. You can create additional user profiles in your Member Compass under the People tab. Please contact us if you do not see this tab so that we can give you management access on your account.
A printed registration form is also available (upon request) if you are unable to register online.
Cancellation Policy: Event registration cancellations will be accepted until 2/13/25 and will be subject to a $50 processing fee. Cancellations received after 2/13/25 are not eligible for refund.
Spring Conference Agenda
The 2026 Spring Conference Agenda will be available soon through the Agenda tab above. If you have suggestions for future conference speakers or topics, please use the Speaker & Topic Suggestion Form form to submit your ideas.
“UWI conferences provide a forum for frank discussions around the most pressing issues affecting the water sector. We don’t shy away from controversial topics – rather we tackle them head on and look for solutions. I’ve attended more than 20 UWI conferences and always look forward to the next one because of the unique expertise they bring to the table for the benefit of the group.”
– David Pedersen, General Manager of Las Virgenes Municipal Water District
Spring Conference Date & Time
The UWI 2026 Spring Conference dates and times are as follows:
- Conference begins: Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 1:00 PM
- Conference ends: Friday, February 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Annual Conference Location
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
44400 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 773-4444
UWI Hotel Room Block - Coming soon!
A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available to UWI Conference attendees. We recommend booking your room early to access the group block. If you have any issues booking your hotel room, please contact our Events Director, Paula Currie: events@urbanwater.com.
Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorships and exhibitor opportunities are now available for our 2026 Spring Conference. Please visit our Sponsorship page for more information. Thank you to our 2025 sponsors!
Registration Options
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Registration Options
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Price |
|---|---|
|
Early Bird Registration (UWI Member)
|
$595.00 |
|
Early Bird Registration (Non-Member)
|
$795.00 |
|
Wednesday Registration (One-Day Only)
|
$250.00 |
|
Thursday Registration (One-Day Only)
|
$400.00 |
|
Friday Registration (One-Day Only)
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$250.00 |
|
Student/Educator Registration
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$300.00 |
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Spouse Registration
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$250.00 |
|
Speaker Registration- Full Conference
If you are a confirmed conference speaker wishing to access this registration level, please contact admin@urbanwater.com. |
$525.00 |
|
Speaker Registration- One Day
If you are a confirmed speaker, our administrative team will register you. For questions, please contact admin@urbanwater.com. |
FREE |
Agenda
| February 25 | |
| 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM | Conference Welcome |
| 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM |
Opening Keynote: Abundance
Abundance Author Ezra Klein (Invited) |
| 2:15 PM - 3:30 PM |
Change is Here: A Peek into SGMA’s Impact on the Central Valley
This panel will discuss actual economic and social impacts on the Central Valley that are a direct result of SGMA implementation and water restrictions, including land retirement, food security/scarcity, farming families’ succession, farming operation financing, regional economics, emergency services, and more. |
| 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Change Makers
Leadership across utilities, consulting firms, and regulatory agencies is changing. They are younger, more diverse, and come from a variety of education, experience and backgrounds. Meet the newest leaders taking charge. |
| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Opening Reception
Conference registrants enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during a hosted onsite reception. |
| February 26 | |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM |
Breakfast Buffet
Conference registrants enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet onsite at the hotel. |
| 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM |
Changing Affordability Metrics
Are water and wastewater rates affordable? Can families keep up with rising costs, and is that sustainable? Given the rate constraints utilities face, how are the taps staying on and the sewage still flowing? What are utilities doing to keep water affordable? |
| 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM |
How to Change Public Perception
A 2024 AWWA Survey noted that public trust in tap water had declined by 9% since 2020. Groups like Environmental Working Group consistently put out content alarming the public that their tap water is not safe. How do you change the public’s perception on the value you provide, trust their tap water, and trust their utility? |
| 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM |
Luncheon
Conference registrants enjoy a complimentary plated lunch onsite at the hotel. |
| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM |
Understanding Changing Generational Needs, Wants and Expectations (Audience Interactive Session)
A multi-generational panel of water professionals from Gen X, Millenials & Gen Z answers the questions we all need to know! |
| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM |
The Changing Faces of Associations – The Battle of the Best
Once dominated solely by American Water Works Association, the Water Environment Association and the Association of California Water Agencies, today’s water associations are diversified and changing. New leaders are emerging and meeting the water industries needs in a variety of ways and places. Do you know who the new players are? How well do they know their stuff? Join us as Association Executive Directors face the UWI audience and vie for bragging rights. Who are you cheering for? |
| 3:45 PM - 5:00 PM |
Changing Commodity Markets: California’s (Wine) Grapes of Wrath
–With wine sales decreasing, large California wineries import bulk foreign grape juice, or concentrate, blend it with California fruit then sell the result under labels that say “California.” With excess foreign supply, demand and prices fall leaving growers in the dust. Meanwhile consumers are none-the wiser. Hear from California wine grape growers across the state as well as Gallo the challenges the wine industry is facing in the field and in the bottle. |
| 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM |
Board Chair's Reception
Conference registrants enjoy complimentary cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during a hosted onsite reception. |
| February 27 | |
| 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM |
Breakfast
Conference registrants enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet onsite at the hotel. |
| 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | A Changing Colorado River |
The UWI 2026 Spring Conference will take place at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California.
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa
44400 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
(760) 773-4444
UWI Room Block Reservation Link
A limited number of discounted hotel rooms are available to UWI Conference attendees. We recommend booking your room early to access the group block. If you have any issues booking your hotel room, please contact our Events Director, Paula Currie: events@urbanwater.com.
IMPORTANT:
In order to register attendees for the upcoming UWI Conference, each attendee must have a user profile (with unique email address).
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