Meeting Location

AdventHealth Fieldhouse & Conference Center

210 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven, FL

Meeting Sponsors

Thank you to our SPONSORS!

Contact Samuel Palermo at 561-351-5278 to sponsor this meeting. Or, pay your sponsorship online here.

Agenda

Friday, October 13

7:30 am

Registration and Networking Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

Opening Remarks - Allison Lewis, PE, AWRA Florida Section President

8:40 am

Welcoming Remarks – T. Michael Stavres, City Manager, City of Winter Haven

8:50 am

Keynote Address - Melissa Meeker, Chief Executive Officer, The Water Tower

9:20 am

Southwest Florida Water Management District - Southern Water Use Caution Area/Upper Peace River Projects

Randy Smith, PMP, Bureau Chief, Natural Systems & Restoration Bureau

9:50 am

Networking Break

10:20 am

Regional Approach to Watershed Management

Jennifer Hecker, Executive Director

Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership

10:50 am

City of Winter Haven One Water Program - The Local Perspective

Keeli Carlton, Winter Haven Water Program Administrator

Mike Britt, P.E., Sustainable Water Communities

Jon Dinges, P.E., Regional Water Resources Lead, Black & Veatch

Pete Sechler, PLA, AICP, Director, GAI Community Solutions Group

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch (Catered) and Networking

Trail Town Presentation

Andy Palmer, Parks Planning & Strategic Initiatives Manager

1:00 pm

Utility Case Studies Panel Discussion

Moderator:  Gary M. Hubbard, P.E., Director, Winter Haven Water

Ryan R. Popko, P.E., Engineering Manager, JEA

Gabi Sullivan, Water Resources Conservation Coordinator, City of Ocala

Lynn Spivey, Director - Utilities Department, City of Plant City

2:00 pm

Funding Panel Discussion

Moderator:  Keeli Carlton, Winter Haven Water Program Administrator

Tabitha Biehl, Land and Water Natural Areas Manager, Polk County Parks & Natural Resources Division

Lee Hale, P.E., President, Hale Innovation

Katie Britt Williams, CFM, Project Manager/Marine Scientist at Cummins Cederberg

3:00 pm

Networking Break

3:30 pm

Industry & Innovation Panel Discussion

Moderator:  Eric Draper, Water Resource Policy and Finance Advisor

Melissa Meeker, Chief Executive Officer, The Water Tower

Bart Weiss, Chief Officer, Innovation and Resiliency, Hillsborough County

Megan Ross, Vice President, SediVision, LLC

5:00 pm

Closing Remarks - Allison Lewis, PE, AWRA Florida Section President

AWRA Florida Board of Directors Meeting

Thursday 10/12/2023

6:00 - 7:30 pm

Harborside Restaurant

2435 7th St. SW

Winter Haven, FL 33880

All are welcome to attend as the Board of Directors handles the business of the section.

Continuing Education Hours (CEHs)

CEHs will be available for Florida engineers. Certificates of attendance can also be provided for CLEs, CEUs, etc.

Saturday Field Trip

We are happy that you will be in Winter Haven attending the One Water Summit!  We encourage you to stick around after the event and submerge yourself into a true One Water experience by reviewing the importance of local, regional and statewide water management practices with a view from the water.

Tours are given by a local company Living Water Boat Cruises with a passion for the local natural resources.  Please use the link below to register for a 2-hour Chain of Lakes Tour from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, October 14.  

Chain of Lakes Boat Tour