Virtual Conference Navigation

We’re so glad you’re joining us for this very special Texas Water experience. We know that this year has us all facing very unique and uncertain circumstances, but we’re incredibly excited to be able to transition our Conference to this virtual platform!

As an attendee, you should have received an email with your login information and the link to access the Virtual Conference. If you did not receive your login information, please send an email to texwater@texas.net.

Here’s some information on navigating the conference platform and tips to help ensure your conference experience is a success! We’ve also put together a demo video to show you how to navigate the platform: https://vimeopro. com/texasawwa/texas-water-2021-virtual-instructions-1.

For the best experience, it is recommended that you use Google Chrome (preferred) or Firefox. We also recommend making sure you are using the latest versions so check your system for updates. Safari and Edge are also supported; IE is not recommended. The Help Desk in the Conference also provides some additional technical information.

Once you log into the virtual platform, you’ll be taken to the:

LOBBY: The lobby will be the first place you visit during the virtual conference, featuring our top sponsors.

EXPO HALL: Click on EXPO Hall to visit with our exhibitors! Make sure and spend some time visiting the “eBooths” that our vendors have set up to display their products and services. Best of all, you’ll be able to chat directly with exhibitors and even compete to win great prizes in our virtual game (read more on page 20)! The Directory dropdown menu option will let you search for specific companies. At each booth, you can chat one-on-one with Booth Staff, Scan your Badge, Gain Points in the Virtual Game and check out all of the vendor’s videos, documents, social media links and websites.

ON DEMAND EVENTS: Find our On Demand content, such as the Curtis Smalley Environmental Event, Virtual Tours, TAWWA and WEAT Award Ceremonies and the Student Design videos here, available for viewing at your convenience. Recordings of the Live Events, such as the YP Panel and Watermarks Award ceremonies will also be displayed here after their scheduled event times.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS: All of the exemplary program of technical sessions can be viewed here. The AUDITORIUM link in the Lobby takes you here, as well as clicking on Technical Sessions in the top menu. • You can preview the schedule (Pages 26-37) and add sessions to your agenda (Do not be concerned if you see a blue icon “Registered” instead of “Add to My

Agenda”. That is an automated feature that doesn’t apply to our conference). All sessions will be available to all registrants. Sessions will become available at

their scheduled times in the program, then

available for on demand viewing after.

• Clicking on a session name, will display the session’s information, speakers, and any handouts. Important!

You must click on the session title in the left panel for the correct information (description, presenters, handouts, etc) to display on the right panel. • For those seeking TCEQ Operator Hours: Credit hours will be available for viewing most virtual technical sessions. o You will be given a PASSWORD at the end

of the session. Do not exit the session without making note of the password!

o You will submit the password in the testing area of the platform, located in the Attendee Lounge. See the Attendee Lounge portion of these instructions for more details. o The code next to the session title will tell you which license the session credit counts toward (water, wastewater, or both.) Please note: Sessions are only worth .5 hours of operator credit even if they are longer than 30 minutes.

• Q&A Discussion Groups for Technical

Sessions: Be sure to participate in our Q&A discussions with our presenters. The Discussion

Groups will be active after each block of sessions (see pages 26-37) and can be accessed by visiting

Lounge → Attendee Lounge → Chat and Discussion Groups. • This opens up the Unified Communication Platform.

Clicking the Plus icon next to Discussion

groups will pull up the list of available groups.

• Click Join next to the Discussion Group that corresponds with the session track to enter that discussion.

POSTERS: Stop by our Poster Presentations page to view the amazing work of so many talented industry Professionals. • You’ll need to click the

VIEW button to view the Poster (clicking the header image will not display the poster). • Make sure to hit “Show

More” at the bottom of the page to see everyone’s incredible efforts.

LIVE EVENTS: Join us for live virtual receptions that include networking with other attendees! • These live receptions will be hosted for the Opening

Session on Monday (3/29) at 11 am, the Women in

Water Panel on Wednesday (3/31) at 12 pm, and the

Conference Entertainment Event on Wednesday (3/31) at 5 pm. • You can select a “seat” at a table and join into live chats (or even video chats) with other attendees during the event. You’ll need to select a “seat” to attend these events from the Live Events tab. The interactive portion of the receptions are limited to the first 200 attendees and will be on a first come, first serve basis so head over and pick your seat for the events you wish to attend. • After the 200 seats are taken, you can still view the live event broadcasts (you just won’t be able to join the interactive, networking part of the event). This brief video tutorial will explain how the interactive portion of the events will work to help you understand ahead of time: https://vimeo.com/515592157

ATTENDEE LOUNGE: This is where you can chat with other attendees, exhibitors or speakers as well as handle any TCEQ operator hours certification. The NETWORKING link in the Lobby takes you here, as well as clicking on Attendee Lounge in the dropdown menu under Lounge in the top menu. If you need to search for anything within the virtual conference, you can click on the Keyword Search button.

TEXAS WATER CONFERENCE Night Out

WEDNESDAY  MARCH 31  5:30-6:45PM CT eShow (client platform)

MATT

SLUSHER

Matt Slusher grew up on the border, in McAllen Texas but over time was called to live in two of America’s cradles of musical creativity, New Orleans and Austin, TX. Matt has played lead guitarist in many bands such as Rodney Hayden Band and Gal Holiday in New Orleans. As a singer, songwriter and mandolinist, he was a founding member of both the South Austin Jug Band and Wood & Wire. Most recently, Matt has returned to the music of his youth, releasing a surf rock album in August 2019. Today you can find him writing songs and performing in Austin’s vibrant music scene.

VICTOR

LIVINGSTON

As a songwriter first then a producer Victor Livingston is able to invent his own sound; warping country feel with modern production. Livingston released his debut album, Lonely Chugger, last November. A modern take on classic song writing and styles. He is gearing up to release his explosive sophomore album by the end of 2020.

Sponsored by

AMERICAN DREAMER

AMERICAN DREAMER is four gifted musicians who bring a heavy dose of strings to their unique blend of Indie-Folk. Each member – Courtney Castaneda, Dana Marie, Camille Schiess, and Sasha KlareAyvazian – contributes something distinctive to their rich and remarkable sound. The quartet’s music builds on relatable Folk songs, transformed through bold string arrangements (violin, cello, bass) and resplendent three-part harmony.

In support of

A non-profit focused on funding the creation and performance of new music by local musicians.

• Clicking on Chat & Discussion Groups will take you to the Unified Communication Platform. This is your main hub for all attendee and exhibitor conference chats, video chats, and also where you will access the

Q&A Discussion Groups for the Technical Sessions.

Note: you will need to click on the “plus sign” on the left-hand side menu to join a booth chat or Discussion

Group.

o You can search for a specific attendee by clicking on the magnifying glass next to

Private Chats. Click on the speech bubble icon next to their name to enter into a private chat with the person.

o You can also request to join a live video chat with an attendee. The red dot next to a name means that person is not in the virtual conference at the moment, while a green dot means that they are online. The notification bell at the top will alert you to new activity or chat requests.

• Networking Appointments will allow you to search and schedule appointments with other attendees and will allow booth staff to host one-on-one chat appointments. You can set the times you are available for appointments and you will receive an email notification when someone requests an appointment, which you can accept or reject. • Session Evaluations & Testing is where you need to go for TCEQ operator credit hours. TCEQ has approved the conference for up to 30 operator hours. o Once you click on Session Evaluations & Testing, find the evaluation for the session you have viewed. Complete the brief evaluation of the session. A link that says “Start Test” will appear next to the evaluation once it’s been completed. Take the one-question test to select the password you received during the session. o Once you pass the test, a link to a PDF of the individual session certificate should appear on the page (you may need to close the window and reopen it). A certificate showing all of your passed sessions is available at the Conference Certificate link in the left-hand menu. o Turning in your hours: We need to know when you’re done and want us to turn in your hours to TCEQ. When you are completely finished with your training and are ready to have us report your hours, click on Session Evaluations & Testing in the Attendee Lounge, then the link to the TCEQ hour submission form and complete it. You only need to submit this form one time. We’ll need your contact info, license number(s) and the total number of hours you are seeking. Completing this form is your way of “turning in” your hours. Based on your Certificate, we will report the completed sessions and total hours to TCEQ. See Page 11 for additional information on TCEQ credit hours.

GAME ROOM: Check out the game details, prizes and the leaderboard here. Don’t forget to collect points at exhibitor booths! (this will be live at noon on Monday, March 29)

EBAG: This for all the awesome things you “digitally” collect at the Conference. • Your eBag will be preloaded with all your Texas Water

Registration Virtual Giveaways (promotions and discounts to Austin establishments such as Chuy’s,

Tiff’s Treats and the ACL Live Store). • Anything you collect throughout the conference such as posters, exhibitor documents or contacts will also appear here. • Anything with the eBag icon next to it can be collected in your personal eBag.

HELP DESK: Do you have any questions for show staff? Visit the help desk to get your questions answered. Helpful documents are also available here.

MY PROFILE: Clicking on your name in the upper right corner will bring you to your virtual badge, where you can edit your “badge name.” We encourage you to add a profile picture! WWW.TXWATER.ORG | 9