Get ready to connect and grow at the 2026 NC One Water Spring Conference!

We are excited to welcome you to the 2026 Spring Conference! There are many opportunities to connect with peers, gain insights on the water industry, and learn what NC One Water is all about.

CLICK HERE to view the main conference page for programming.

Students

On TUESDAY 4/28/2026 our conference is open to students in or interested in the water/wastewater industry! 

Registration is required on this event page to attend as a student on the FREE Student Day, or as a full conference attendee at the Student Rate of $175.

Student Verification: If you are registering as a student for the free conference admission, you MUST provide one of the following to verify your student status: a student email address or a PDF of your current enrollment certificate.

If you are a Young Professional (not actively enrolled as a student) who would need financial assistance to attend the conference, please contact Sarah Sterling at ssterling@nconewater.org. 

How to Register as a Student (Step-by-Step)

Please follow these instructions to register.

1. Sign-in, or Set-up a free Customer profile (this profile gives you access to online registration, but does not entitle you to NC AWWA-WEA member benefits).

2. Click the green "Register" button on this page.

3. Fill out all attendee information and include ONE of the Student Verification Requirements.

4. Click "Next."

5. Select the Student Day Registration Ticket ($0) OR the Student Full Conference Registration Ticket ($175)

   • (Optional) If attending the Welcome Social, also select the 4/27/26 GROW Welcome Social

6. Click "Save & Finalize Registration" to complete the process.

Now that you're registered, you'll have a Student Badge at the conference!

You can pick up your badge at the Registration Desk located to the left as you enter the Great Wolf Lodge conference center.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Student Engagement Opportunities

GROW / Welcome Reception

Monday, April 27, 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on the Portico

•  Kick off the NC One Water 2026 Spring Conference at the GROW Welcome Social! Hosted by the Membership Engagement Community, this social is open to Spring Conference attendees & NC One Water members.
  
  Join us at the Great Wolf Lodge to connect with fellow water professionals, network and unwind before the conference officially begins! Conference registration will be be open for attendees to pick up their badge early and beat the Tuesday lines.
  
  Light hors d'oeuvres will be served, and the first 80 attendees will receive a complimentary drink ticket sponsored by Sunstate Equipment Co.

Student & Young Professionals Meet & Greet

Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. in the Oaks Ballroom (Operations & Maintenance Track)

• Join NC One Water's Student & Young Professionals group for a morning meet & greet prior to the start of the conference! Get to know more about our SYP programming, learn tips on how to successfully navigate and get the most out of your conference experience, and meet new peers in the water industry.

Women of Water Meetup

Tuesday, April 28, 5:00 p.m. in the White Pine 2 Ballroom (Special Topics Track)

• Join NC One Water's Women of Water group for a casual meetup during the conference's evening reception.

Join us as we hike the Sal's Branch Trail in Umstead State Park! Please bring water, appropriate footwear and clothing, and anything else you need to feel comfortable on a hike. The trail is a loop approximately 2.5 miles long and relatively flat. Plan on being on the trail for at least an hour.

Event Details

• Date: May 9, 2026

• Schedule: 9:30 AM (Light Snacks) | 10:00 AM (Hike Begins)

• Location: Umstead State Park, Sal's Branch Trail (View on Google Maps)

• RSVP: REQUIRED

Parking & Logistics Parking is available at the Umstead State Park Visitor Center (bathrooms available) and behind the Visitor Center.

• Note: If parking behind the Visitor Center (at the trailhead), continue driving past the Visitor Center and make a sharp right turn onto the gravel road.

• A map of the trailhead location and parking will be provided to all registrants prior to the day of the hike.

Questions? Contact the Event Coordinator:

• Name: Catie Cangemi

• Email: catie.cangemi@aecom.com

• Phone: (770) 262-1918

Join us for hiking and networking! We will meet at the Visitor Center at 9:30 A.M. for introductions before beginning the hike. Map of the park is here - https://www.ncparks.gov/maps/crowders-mountain-state-park-map/open

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026

• Time: 9:30 AM

• Location: Crowders Mountain State Park Visitor Center | 522 Park Office Ln., Kings Mountain, NC 28086

• Cost: FREE

Registration Information

• Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026

Sponsors

A huge thank you to our annual SYP sponsors Dewberry, Freese and Nichols, Hayward Flow Control, and HDR!

Event Coordinator

If you have any questions, please reach out to:

• Event Coordinator: Kathryn Quaid

• Email: quaidkc@cdmsmith.com

• Phone: 352-286-7996