The Water Quality Association is celebrating seven decades of leadership in water quality this year, unveiling a 70-year logo highlighting the organization’s role as the leading voice of the residential, commercial and industrial water treatment industry. The commemorative logo also points to the future with the phrase, “Water quality solutions for 70 years and beyond.”
WQA traces its rich heritage to its two founding organizations, the Water Conditioning Association International (WCAI) and the Water Conditioning Foundation (WCF). In 1949, both organizations had been established and were representing manufacturers, suppliers and water treatment dealers industry-wide. WCAI and WCF later merged to form the Water Quality Association.
Today, WQA has 2,500 members across the globe who work to uphold the highest principles of honesty, integrity, fair dealing and professionalism in the water quality improvement industry. They agree to follow the WQA Code of Ethics, which sets standards of conduct for their dealings with customers, among themselves, with members of related industries and the public at large.
DC Fly-In
Water Quality Association members and staff will gather in Washington, DC, March 5 and 6 for the annual DC Fly-In, a series of strategic meetings on Capitol Hill. For the third consecutive year, WQA is partnering with the Irrigation Association and the National Groundwater Association for a Water Resources Congressional Summit during the Fly-In, so all three associations can hear from Congressional staff and regulators involved with water and the environment.
The Summit begins at 10 a.m. (EST) on March 5 and will be followed by an evening reception. On March 6, WQA members will spend the day in small group Congressional visits, ending around 4 p.m. EST. During the event, WQA will announce the recipients of its Water Quality Association Champion Awards, given to lawmakers for their support of water legislation.
Registration is $200, which includes lunch and the reception. Registration deadline is February 15. A limited number of hotel rooms have been reserved at a special rate; cutoff date is Monday, February 4. More information on both can be found on the WQA website.
The Irrigation Association is a membership organization that includes irrigation companies and professionals in agriculture, landscape and golf. The National Groundwater Association represents US and international groundwater professionals, including water well contractors, scientists and engineers, manufacturers and suppliers.
Speakers announced
Experts in leadership, human resources and business financial planning will share strategic planning ideas and tools in the second annual WQA Business Boot Camp, an intensive one-day workshop in all aspects of running a water treatment business. Aimed primarily at dealers, the event is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26, at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort. (The WQA Annual Convention and Exhibition will take place April 23-26.) Presenters include:
- Mary Lynn Fayoumi, President and CEO of HR Source, on “Achieving Results Through Employee Engagement.”
- Debra Zabloudil, President and CEO of The Learning Studio, Inc., speaking on “Developing the Leaders Within You.”
- Kurt Rickhoff, second-generation owner of accounting firm Rickhoff and Associates, who will share tips on “Planning for Profitability: Business Management.”
- Tim Miles, Founder and CEO of marketing and management consulting firm Tim Miles & Co., who will provide inspirational closing remarks on leadership and management.