KRWA Conference 2001

Fulfilling the Mission

March 27-29, 2001

Century II Convention Center, Wichita

If you missed the 34th Annual Conference & Exhibition of the Kansas Rural Water Association, we hope you're kicking yourself. Sponsored in cooperation with water-related state and federal agencies, KRWA's conference is always the best-attended, friendliest and best buy in a water and wastewater conference in the Midwest. Here's what you missed in '01 if you weren't there:

Six preconference sessions on Tuesday, March 27 – "Distribution System Components & Their Uses," "Teamwork For Effective Cities," "Rural Water Director Primer,""Operating & Maintaining Lift Stations," "Small Surface Water Treatment Plant O & M," "Water & Sewer Rate Reviews & Other Important Issues." These sessions were attended by more than 800 people. 2001:A Space Odyssey Party, Barbecue & Social on Tuesday evening – aliens beamed KRWA Board President David Mueller, administrative assistant Carol Steinlage and KRWA tech Greg Duryea up to the mother ship, interrrogated them . . . and, well, the world was saved only because the aliens from Plutonia were granted fresh, clear water from earth. That was a lead-in to more than an hour of rockin' music by the incomparable New Odyssey band from Chicago. More than 1,500 people were on hand for the invasion. "Civility," Wednesday's keynote address by Ken Lerman. We can all use more civility. The largest exhibition for the water and wastewater industry in the Midwest. In 2001, there were 251 exhibit spaces – and people loved it!		David Waldo of KDHE (left), Gary Smith of Rural Development, Ned Webb of KDOCH and Dennis Schwartz, director of KRWA and president of NRWA, judge the first annual water tasting contest.
The 32 concurrent sessions on a wide range of topics were filled with people. Attorneys Forum – attended by 20 attorney, who received CLE credits (and learned about issues affecting water and wastewater utilities). Operators' certification exam (in '02, we'll try to hold the beginning in the morning). Awards banquet with award-winning entertainment: the '60s musical Beehive Water tasting contest! The winner – Jefferson RWD No. 14 – goes on to the National Rural Water Association contest in May in Washington. Second annual Consumer Confidence Report contest. First place winners were Ellsworth RWD 1 (Post Rock), City of Longton, City of Winfield and the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utiliities.

Hotels are filling up for 2002!

The conference is such a hit every year that rooms at the Hyatt are already being booked for next year's meeting, scheduled for March 26-28 – and KRWA blocks have been opened there and at the Broadview. (Incidentally, the Broadview will be totally refurbished by the time we all return to Wichita.) The Hyatt's direct number is 316-293-1234, and rooms are $98 plus tax. The Broadview is 316-262-5000. When you call, ask for the Kansas Rural Water block, then get a confirmation number and file it away. We'll open blocks at these other hotels later.

Hotel at Old Town	316-67-4800	$95 flat rate
Broadview Hotel	316-262-5000	$77 flat
Wyndham Garden Hotel (formerly Club House Inn)	316-684-1111	$76
Fairfield Inn by Marriott	316-685-3777	$62 flat
Inn at the Park	316-652-0500	$89 flat (only 12 rooms, exquisite)
Cambridge Suites	316-263-1061	$99 (executive suites)
Quality Inn Airport	316-722-8730	$49.95
The Williamsburg Inn	316-684-0541	$32 single, $36 double
Holiday Inn Select (formerly Four Point Sheraton)	888-558-5113	$75 flat rate
Hampton Inn	316-945-4100	$87 flat; ask for confirmation No. 81281972
The Kansas Inn	316-269-9999	$45

Whether or not you were in Wichita this year, you really need to be there in '02. So plan now to attend the next KRWA conference. For the latest information, watch this space, read your copy of the Kansas Lifeline and check out your mailbox at the time gets closer.

Highlights of Previous Years

2001

2000

1999

1998

1997