Greetings from Orlando, Florida USA. IPWEA President Ross Goyne, New Zealand President Samantha Gain, IPWEA International Director Chris Champion and I are currently at the American Public Works Association's (APWA) national conference called PWX.
We are joined by the IPWEA Victorian Foundation study tour group and also here for the first time are loyal IPWEA supporters Wagners who are exhibiting and introducing their products to the American and Canadian market.
To say this conference is amazing is an understatement. Let's start with the headline stats: 5000-plus delegates from every state of the US and Canada; an international contingent of more thn 100 that spans from Scandinavia to Ghana (although we think the Aussies have won the 'travelled the furthest' award); 400 exhibitors of everything you could imagine for local government; a conference and exhibition area so big that organisers whiz around on Segways and three wheeled electric trikes; an amazing range of technical papers, and of course a strong networking and social program.
The sunshine state has been anything but. Cyclone Harvey that hit Houston has dropped 26 inches (660 mm) of rain there in three days with an additional 18 inches (457 mm) forecast. The ferocious winds have knocked out power, the airport is closed and there have been seven confirmed tornadoes in Houston in the last two days. Florida has fortunately has only copped afternoon rain but has been overcast every day.
APWA inducted their new president at the opening ceremony and IPWEA has been warmly welcomed by both APWA and CPWA (Canadian Public Works Association) with whom we have formal memorandums of understanding.
In asset management terms there is a respect and recognition that Australia and New Zealand are more advance than many municipalities in the US and our online
Professional Certificate in Asset Management Planning has been receiving a great deal of interest.
While we had 90-plus delegates from the US and Canada in the last course – all of whom raved about how good it is – we expect this number to steadily increase as we get known and accepted even more in the international market.
The next PWX is in Kansas City and if you'd like to experience this for yourself, IPWEA Australasia will be hosting its annual study tour featuring the full PWX conference. Contact Chris Champion at chris.champion@ipwea.org, who leads the tour to register your interest. This is a lifelong experience that keeps on giving for decades.
Robert FullerCEO, IPWEA