With a theme focusing on “Wave of Change: Breaking the Status Quo,” the Water Education Foundation’s 34th annual Executive Briefing was held March 23 in Sacramento. The event examined new approaches to water management, tools to extend supplies, plans to prepare for drought, and the intersection between politics and policy.

This premiere water conference offered participants the opportunity to hear from top policymakers and leading stakeholders on key water topics:

• Record Rain, Reservoirs and Flood Management
• Tapping New Sources: Water for the 21st Century
• Getting Smarter About Water: Putting Data to Work
• Lifeline of the Southwest: Working to Avoid a Colorado River Shortage
• How the Water Flows: Update on the Proposed Delta Water Quality Plan

Sen. Robert Hertzberg, D-Van Nuys and chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, gave the keynote lunch address on developments following the Oroville Dam Spillway incident and other water-related legislation.

Frances Spivy-Weber, Vice Chair of the California State Water Resources Control Board, kicked off the festivities as the opening keynote, looking back at her 30-year career protecting the state’s most precious natural resource.

Scroll down to check out the agenda under “related links” at the bottom of this page.

This is the go-to conference for water district managers and board members, state and federal agency officials, city and county government officials, farmers, environmentalists, attorneys, consultants, engineers, business executives and public interest groups.

In addition, we hosted a networking reception and a silent auction to benefit our Water Leaders program. Items up for bid often include lunches with key people in the water world,  outdoor adventures, wine and food baskets and more.

The briefing was held at the Hilton Sacramento Arden West hotel, 2200 Harvard St. On site registration and check-in began at 8:15 a.m., with an opening welcome by Executive Director Jennifer Bowles at 8:45 a.m. followed by Fran Spivy-Weber’s opening keynote at 9 a.m. The event adjourned at 5 p.m. to a hosted networking reception.

Sponsorships and Exhibitor opportunities were available! McGeorge School of Law was an exhibitor.

Registration was $250 for major contributors to the Foundation; $350 for non-contributors. New for 2017: a special $175 rate for NGOs and university professors/students. The event was eligible for six MCLE credits.