Returning to the UK for the first time in a decade, Global Water Intelligence (GWI)’s 2019 conference will focus on ‘Disruptive Designs’ – addressing the ways the water sector can overcome previously intractable obstacles and accelerate opportunities across the water market.

 

Disruption is being felt everywhere. From global trading rules and internal political systems to old alliances and business models, the established order is being challenged and re-evaluated. Within this context in the global water sector however, the opportunity exists for collaboration and consolidation. Taking place in London, from 8 -10 April 2019, The Global Water Summit will address such trends as part of its ‘Disruptive Designs’ theme, with an Opening Plenary Keynote given by Gillian Tett, US Managing Editor of the Financial Times.

 

The Global Water Summit is a high-level knowledge-sharing platform that gives delegates access to expert contributions, ideas and intelligence – from the speakers that represent the most significant opportunities in the global water sector.

 

The objective of the Global Water Summit is to bring together all of the key stakeholders from the global water market, attracting more top water leaders and business executives than any other water event. It has become vital in shaping the future direction of the water sector and driving business opportunities, presenting delegates with thought-leading content and unrivalled networking opportunities.

 

Disrupting Cities: Catalysing The Future of Water

 

The Summit will also see the Day 2 opening plenary panel, ‘Disrupting Cities: Catalysing The Future of Water’, chaired by Roger Harrabin, Environmental Analyst for the BBC, and featuring Katrin Bruebach, Associate Director, Solutions Development and Innovation for Urban Water for 100 Resilient Cities. 

 

The panel will discuss the ways in which technological advancements and migration from rural to urban environments are making cities a key disruptor for the water sector and asking questions like ‘How will the future of water and sanitation provision in cities play out?’ and ‘How will this disruption spread to the wider water sector?’

 

Other specialist sessions across the two-day agenda

 

Industrial Opportunities in Asia will explore the opportunities for providing water services in Asia due to an increase in stringent wastewater regulations and expanding economies. 

 

Digitial Strategy Part 1: ROI Framework will discuss the key problem for expanding digital involvement in water: the lack of a common framework for evaluating digital solutions. How does the lack of clear understanding about their return on investment impact procurement and the development and implementation of new offerings?

Next Generation Water Future will see a new generation of utility executives present their vision for the future of the water industry. How do these young leaders dream of reshaping the water sector? What are their priorities and how will they remodel how the sector does business?

 

One-to-ones, expert roundtables and breakout sessions 

 

The Global Water Summit 2019 will be held at the Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel from 8–10 April 2019. Featuring over five hours of one-to-one networking sessions and expert-led roundtable discussions, as well as a full two-day agenda with breakout sessions focused on Industry, Desal, Digital, Finance, Technologies, Wastewater, and Leading Utilities of the World.

 

The ‘Disruptive Designs’ theme will be explored further in many of these agenda strands and sessions – for example, ‘The Future of Water Finance’ will discuss the limited supply of attractive new projects for infrastructure investment, inviting key players from the global frontier of water finance to speak about the redefinition of the private water proposition.

 

The Summit will also see new utilities inaugurated into the Leading Utilities of the World –a global network of the world’s most successful and innovative water and wastewater utilities.

 

Global Water Awards 2019

 

The Global Water Awards will also be presented as part of the Global Water Summit 2019 Gala Dinner, on the evening of 9th April 2019 at the Natural History Museum, London.

 

The Global Water Awards recognise the most important achievements in the international water industry within several categories, and reward those initiatives in the water, wastewater and desalination sectors that are moving the industry forward through improved operating performance, innovative technology adoption and sustainable financial models. Nominations are open and will be accepted until 31 January 2019.

 

Earlybird booking for the Summit is now open. Register before 31st January to save £300 / $450 – www.watermeetsmoney.com/2019-booking

 

Find out more about the Global Water Summit 2019 here: www.watermeetsmoney.com

 

Find out more about the Global Water Awards at the dedicated awards website: www.globalwaterawards.com