May 12–13, 2026
10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. CT
$75 for members; $125 for nonmembers
Public works agencies are operating in an environment that is evolving faster than traditional systems and practices were designed to support. Today’s organizations are responsible not only for maintaining physical infrastructure, but for managing complex, interconnected systems shaped by advancing technology, workforce changes, and rising public expectations.
ɫAV's Integrated Strategy Committees, which include Asset Management, Leadership and Management, Sustainability and Resiliency, Technology, and Workforce Development have collaborated to present this live, virtual two-day educational series focused on the themes of adaptability and "challenging the process." Through lessons learned from both technological and human-centered innovation, this program will explore how public works professionals can respond effectively to emerging challenges and lead meaningful organizational change.
Participants will gain insights and practical strategies to help their agencies adapt, innovate, and prepare for the future. Each day will conclude with facilitated discussions, providing opportunities to exchange ideas, network with peers, and engage more deeply with these complex and timely topics.
Why You Should Attend
The Future Ready program offers 0.4 CEU credits.
Learn practical strategies for leading and implementing meaningful change.
Understand how adaptability and “challenging the process” supports innovation and organizational resilience.
Assess how technological advancements and workforce changes are influencing priorities and decision-making within public works agencies.
Agenda
Day 1
session 1
From Ideas to Impact: Building a Strategic Innovation Program
Water Utilities are rapidly evolving with new technologies and smarter systems, but innovation often remains informal and dependent on individual champions. This session aims to help utilities shift to a structured, organization-wide innovation program that empowers staff, supports clear strategy, and drives measurable impact.
- Identify the key elements of a structured innovation program and explain how formalizing innovation supports long-term utility performance and organizational goals.
- Describe strategies to engage employees at all levels in continuous improvement.
- Apply practical steps and tools to transition from informal innovation activities to a coordinated, organization-wide approach.
session 2
Building Asset Excellence Through Technology, Process, and People
This presentation explains how public works organizations can strengthen asset management by balancing technology, process, and people. It shows how digital tools, efficient workflows, and an empowered workforce together create a practical framework for future-ready resilient operations.
- List use cases for foundational and advanced technologies for asset management, as well as the pros and cons for each, along with the importance of best practices and data governance.
- Explain how aligned asset management processes enable integrating lifecycle thinking, risk-based approaches, governance, resilience planning, and continuous improvement for future-ready public works.
- Describe how organizational culture, staff engagement, leadership support, and continuous feedback systems drive successful adoption, sustained system use, and long-term asset management performance.
Facilitated Discussion in the Virtual Lounge
Integrated Strategy Committee members and or/knowledge team members will lead discussions related to the day’s presentations. Participants will have the opportunity to network, exchange insights, and collaborate, shaping a stronger future for public works.
Day 2
session 1
Leadership and Management Aspects of Being Future-Ready
This session empowers emerging public works leaders to shift from reactive operations to proactive, future-focused leadership by integrating key change-management principles into everyday practice.
- Identify leadership concepts focused on change management that can be integrated into day-to-day operations.
- Analyze strategies necessary to pivot organizational focus to the future.
- Design steps required to shift a team from a reactive “crisis mode” to a proactive mindset.
session 2
Challenge the Process, Strengthen Your Workforce
This session equips public works leaders with strategies to attract and retain talent by identifying hidden barriers in hiring processes, using employee insights to address inefficiencies, and evaluating whether current job requirements and workflows support or limit effective recruitment.
- Recognize how “challenging the process” supports modern public works workforce strategies and connect the leadership practice to effective recruitment, retention, and internal culture-building.
- Evaluate and refine job descriptions and hiring criteria. Learn how to incorporate employee-generated insights to identify unnecessary barriers to entry.
- Identify opportunities to streamline recruiting processes and expand talent pipelines.
Facilitated Discussion in the Virtual Lounge
Integrated Strategy Committee members and or/knowledge team members will lead discussions related to the day’s presentations. Participants will have the opportunity to network, exchange insights, and collaborate, shaping a stronger future for public works.