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

Release Date: 09/14/2026

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

Scaling UP! H2O

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...

493 Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 1

Scaling UP! H2O

Strong professional associations do more than provide programs and credentials. They create an environment where members can exchange knowledge, build trusted relationships, and prepare their businesses for what comes next. As the Association of Water Technologies enters a new operational chapter, Executive Director explains how AWT is strengthening that environment without losing the culture that makes it distinctive. From the Arts to Association Leadership Before entering association management, Matt built a career behind the scenes in theater. His...

492 AI for Water Treaters: A Thought Partner, Not a Replacement

Scaling UP! H2O

491 Environmental Microbiology and Legionella: Managing Building Water Risks with Dr. Rajiv Sahay

Scaling UP! H2O

Reliable Legionella results begin long before a sample reaches the laboratory. of explains how building conditions, field collection practices, and laboratory methods influence the quality—and usefulness—of the data water professionals receive. Building Water Conditions Shape the Risk Modern buildings rely heavily on controlled mechanical systems, yet water can remain an overlooked part of the indoor environment. Stagnation, low flow, dead legs, temperature, pH, disinfectant residuals, corrosion, and accumulated organic material can all influence biofilm development and microbial...

490 From Plans to Prevention: Water Management Insights with Dr. Abe Cullom

Scaling UP! H2O

A water management plan protects people only when the facility uses it to guide decisions. Dr. Abe Cullom, Director of Water Safety & Management at Pace Analytical, joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to examine why Legionella programs break down—and how testing, communication, and consistent implementation can strengthen them. Implementation Is the Bottleneck Five decades after Legionella was identified, researchers understand much more about the organism, its ecology, the conditions that support its growth, and the interventions available to control it. However, Dr....

489 Copper-Silver Ionization Technology and Legionella Control with Tory Schira

Scaling UP! H2O

Copper-silver ionization offers building operators a persistent approach to Legionella control—one designed to carry an active disinfectant residual throughout complex plumbing infrastructure. LiquiTech CEO Tory Schira explains how the technology works, what operating data matters, and why successful implementation requires more than installing equipment. How Copper-Silver Ionization Works Copper and silver ions are introduced through a flow chamber containing sacrificial electrodes. A controlled electrical charge releases the positively...

488 Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root

Scaling UP! H2O

“Our goal is not zero Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Our goal is zero cases.” – Patsy Root Legionella risk becomes harder to manage when building teams treat every detection as equivalent—or collect samples without first deciding what a positive result will trigger. , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at , explains how a clear water management program can replace uncertainty with defined responsibilities, routine monitoring, and proportionate action. Focus Testing on the Organism of Concern Patsy distinguishes between the broader...

487 The 60‑Minute CFO: Tracy Bech on Making Business Finance Less Scary

Scaling UP! H2O

“Our gross profit margin is truly the battle we have to win in order to win all of the downstream wars.” - Tracy Bech Financial statements become useful when leaders can translate the numbers into decisions. , founder and author of , explains how business owners, managers, salespeople, and field professionals can develop financial fluency without becoming accountants. Turn Financial Data into a Meaningful Scorecard Tracy teaches finance through stories and relationships rather than isolated numbers. Revenue alone does not reveal whether a company is...

486 Meter Optimization: Air in the water with Anthony Giudice

Scaling UP! H2O

Water meters register the volume passing through them, but what happens when that volume contains both water and entrained air? Anthony Giudice, president of AquaFlow, explains how turbulent flow can influence meter readings and how AquaFlow’s calibrated valve is designed to help meters reflect what he describes as true water consumption. Why Flow Conditions Matter at the Meter Anthony connects entrained air to the pressure required to move municipal water and the turbulence created as water travels through piping, changes...

485 Questions from the Nation Around the World with Trace Blackmore, CWT

Scaling UP! H2O

Ten questions from water professionals around the world become a practical decision-making session with Trace Blackmore, CWT. Drawing on earlier Scaling UP! H2O conversations, Trace explains how to evaluate treatment changes, use emerging tools responsibly, begin water reuse projects, strengthen teams, and continue growing professionally. Evaluate the Entire System A proposed treatment change should be evaluated by more than its purchase price. When comparing chlorine dioxide with traditional chlorine, Trace recommends examining biocide consumption, chemical storage,...

More Episodes

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 exhibitors.

28:50 — Convention costs are considered against the potential value of one useful lesson, relationship, or solution that improves business performance.

30:10 — First-time attendees receive practical guidance on reviewing the schedule, planning sessions, and using identification ribbons to connect with the AWT community.

32:20 — Matt identifies staying within an existing social circle as a major convention mistake and encourages attendees to approach unfamiliar professionals.

34:00 — Thematic tracks and peer recommendations can help attendees choose between technical presentations scheduled at the same time.

35:40 — Prospective presenters learn how AWT’s annual call for papers and abstracts creates opportunities to contribute technical content.

42:50 — Trace explains how badges, ribbons, and Scaling UP! H2O buttons can help attendees identify board members and start productive conversations.

46:50 — Trace shares a structured exhibit-hall strategy based on reviewing the map, preparing questions, surveying the floor, and returning for focused discussions.

50:50 — Trace previews his Working Genius presentation with Tom Hutchison and directs listeners to Episodes 127 and 426 for related conversations.

52:40 — Industrial Water Week 2026 is scheduled for October 5–9, with daily themes and new podcast episodes covering major industrial water applications.

55:00 — Trace recognizes Angela Pike’s years of service to AWT and reflects on the association’s transition to Momentum Association Management.

Quotes

"AWT is what it is today because a group of people showed up for this industry, for this community, for this beautiful profession, and they gave of their time and talents.”

“This organization works best; volunteerism works best when you’re bringing your full self to that role.”

“There is no wrong answer in how to get involved.”

“Just be true to yourself. Bring your full and authentic self to the experience and every day will feel like a joy, even the days where you’re deep in the trenches.”

“If you’re attending by yourself, I want you to have the mindset that you’re now going to be the faithful translator to bring that information back to your company so your company can truly benefit from you being at the convention this week.”

Connect with Matt Coffindaffer