YP Power Hour
The YP Power Hour is a new session at the 2027 AWWA/WEF YP Summit, featuring short, engaging presentations from young professionals centered on this year’s Summit theme, The Next Move.
YP Summit Power Hour
YP Power Hour: What’s Your Next Move?
Submit Your Abstract by November 6, 2026!
Careers rarely follow a straight path. Sometimes the next move is a calculated decision; other times, it’s a leap, a pivot, a setback, or simply deciding what to do when the original plan falls apart.
We are looking for personal stories about the moment when what came next wasn’t obvious. Share a decision, challenge, or turning point you faced, the choice you made, and what you learned along the way.
Your story might explore:
- A difficult decision when there was no obvious right answer
- A pivot when the original plan wasn’t working
- A risk or leap you chose to take (or chose not to take!)
- A mistake, failure, or setback that changed what you did next
- Speaking up when it would have been easier to stay quiet
- Trying something new, such as an idea, a technology, or an unconventional approach
- A high-pressure moment when the stakes were high and a decision had to be made
- An unexpected path that took your career or work somewhere you hadn’t anticipated
Your next move doesn’t need to be perfect! Some of the most valuable lessons come from choices that led to unexpected outcomes.
NEED LINK
Details
Selected speakers will deliver approximately 10-minute presentations as part of a 60-minute YP Power Hour featuring four to five speakers. Presentations should be story-driven and accessible to a broad YP audience, rather than traditional technical presentations.
A strong submission should briefly tell us:
What situation did you face? What made the next move difficult or uncertain? What did you decide to do? What happened, and what did you learn from the experience?
Submissions from young professionals across all areas of the water sector are encouraged.
Key dates:
Call for Abstracts Opens: October 5, 2026
Submission Deadline: November 6, 2026
Speaker Notifications: Mid-November 2026
After learning about the three C’s of effective presenting, confidence, charisma, and clarity, I found myself volunteering to speak in front of more than 300 peers, a challenge I never would have taken on before. The support and encouragement from other young professionals made the experience both empowering and memorable while reinforcing the value of building connections within the industry. The skills and relationships I developed at the Summit carried beyond the conference, helping me present at a national conference and reconnect with peers who continue to be part of my professional network today.
Lizzy Cavitt
Water/Wastewater Engineer
“As a young professional who is both working full time in the water treatment industry and a student, attending the summit allowed me to make valuable connections between my professional and academic work. During this conference, YPs can expect to build confidence and engage with peers in meaningful conversations about industry issues and discuss innovative solutions.”
Joan Kaiser
Senior Engineering Technician
Attending the YP Summit provided valuable insights and industry knowledge that I could apply and share with my organization. The Summit’s discussions and presentations also provided opportunities to exchange ideas and learn how others are approaching similar challenges within the industry. The knowledge I gained allowed me to bring new ideas back to my team and the connections I made with other young professionals greatly expanded my professional network!
Tim D’Agostino
Project Manager
