494 Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 2

A strong convention outcome starts before the first session and continues long after the exhibit hall closes. Association of Water Technologies Executive Director Matt Coffindaffer explains how deliberate preparation, wider professional relationships, and volunteer service can turn AWT 2026 into practical value for an industrial water treatment career or business.   Find the Right Place to Volunteer AWT offers yearlong committee service, shorter task-force assignments, and opportunities across technical research, marketing, membership, regulatory affairs, business resources, young professionals, Women of Water, legislative work, and charity. Matt emphasizes that there is no single ideal volunteer: owners, technical directors, sales and service professionals, field technicians, suppliers, and newcomers can contribute according to their time, experience, and interests.   For business owners, committee work can strengthen peer relationships and provide access to practical operating resources. Newer professionals can also use the Young Professionals Committee to understand the organization, explore career paths, and learn about different specialties within industrial water treatment.   Turn Convention Attendance into Business Value AWT 2026 in Oklahoma City brings together more than 1,000 industry peers and about 130 exhibitors. The program prioritizes technical content, while the September 15 Business Owners Meeting gives owners and management-team members a focused setting for business education, networking, and market insights from AWT's benchmarking survey. Matt frames the convention's value in operational terms: practitioners share lessons shaped by field experience, suppliers can support the full water treatment service chain, and one useful insight or connection may help a company solve problems more efficiently. The strongest return comes from engaging beyond familiar contacts.   Prepare, Connect, and Divide the Learning Before arriving, review the schedule, select sessions, read available papers, and prepare questions. Because several technical tracks run simultaneously, coordinate with peers, attend different presentations, and compare notes afterward. First-time attendees can use the first-timer ribbon—and the Scaling UP! H2O "magic button"—to begin conversations more naturally. Trace adds a practical exhibit-hall strategy: review the exhibitor list and map, note vendors connected to specific questions, walk the full floor once for orientation, then return for focused conversations. If attending alone, approach the event as a "faithful translator" responsible for bringing useful information back to the team. Strong professional communities grow when people contribute, remain curious, and share what they learn. AWT 2026 offers a concentrated opportunity to strengthen all three habits. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!   Timestamps 05:00 — Trace introduces the Scaling UP! H2O "magic button" as a simple icebreaker for starting conversations and expanding a professional network. 09:50 — Matt outlines AWT's committee and task-force opportunities, showing how members can contribute through technical, business, membership, regulatory, and community-focused work. 11:40 — Matt explains why AWT does not have one ideal volunteer and why bringing your complete experience and perspective strengthens the organization. 13:20 — Business owners, sales and service professionals, suppliers, field technicians, and industry newcomers learn how volunteering can expand their knowledge and professional relationships. 19:00 — Matt provides clear next steps for getting involved by contacting a committee chair, the AWT president, Matt, or an AWT staff member. 19:30 — The AWT Annual Convention preview covers Oklahoma City, technical education, networking opportunities, suppliers, and activities planned for attendees. 23:10 — Matt explains what business owners can expect from the September 15 meeting, including benchmarking insights and structured peer collaboration. 26:40 — Matt describes why the convention attracts highly invested practitioners and gives attendees access to experienced peers and about 130 exhibitor