Charles Fishman to keynote AWWA’s ACE26 in Washington, D.C.

Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Fishman will deliver the keynote address at the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE26) taking place June 21-24 in Washington, D.C.

Fishman will speak during the Opening General Session on Monday, June 22, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. His keynote will set the tone for ACE26’s “Water Heroes” theme by spotlighting the people behind essential work that often goes unseen.

His recent book, One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon, zooms in on the engineers, technicians and others whose behind-the-scenes work made the Apollo mission possible.

“The people who got us to the moon are just like you,” Fishman said, referring to water professionals. “They have the same commitment and skill. There’s no secret corps of water superheroes. The people doing the work every day are the water superheroes.”

Fishman, a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb Award for business journalism, has written for Fast Company and previously reported for The Washington Post. He is also the author of The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water, which examines how communities think about, manage and value water in an era of growing water challenges.

“Most people go their whole lives and never have a water main failure that takes down the water supply to their house, and that’s because water works,” Fishman said. “It’s designed to work, but as a result, ordinary people have no idea what’s required to get the water to them, or to take the dirty water away.”

In his keynote, Fishman will make the case that water faces its own moonshot moment, requiring investment, support and new ideas – all of which depend on stronger public understanding of water and the work behind it.

ACE26 will bring thousands of water professionals to Washington, D.C., for four days of education, networking and collaboration. The conference will feature more than 440 presenters, 205 educational sessions, 20 professional tracks, 16 Innovation Hub sessions and a 450-booth exposition.

To learn more about the conference agenda and to register, visit the ACE26 webpage.

Media note: Accredited members of the media may attend ACE26 at no charge. However, they are required to register with AWWA Communications. For media registration, please visit the AWWA Press Room or contact Megan McDowell at 920-493-0532.

# # #

Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.