2026 Joint Conference

 

2026 Joint Conference: Working Together To Protect Montana’s Water Resources
2026 Preconference sponsored by MSAWWA:  Water of the West: Building Resiliency & Optimization

When: April 28-30, 2026
Where: Copper King Hotel & Convention Center
Address: 4655 Harrison Ave. Butte, MT 59701

Online:  www.copperkinghotel.com

By phone: 406-533-6960

Block availability: coming soon.

2026 Conference Information & Registration Forms: scroll down for Exhibitor Registration

  • The 2026 Preliminary Joint Conference Program will be available here as conference time approaches.
  • The 2026 Preliminary MSAWWA Preconference Program will be available here as conference time approaches.
    Both of these programs are subject to change as details are finalized.

 

  • Program Abstract Submission: The Call For Program Abstracts for the 2026 Conference is open. Members, non-members, those in education and potential exhibitors are welcome to submit.  The link is available here: 2026 Joint Conference Call for Program Abstracts

 

  • The Joint SYP Fresh Ideas Poster Competition Call For Abstracts is not yet open∼stay tuned!

 

  • Attendee registration is not yet open∼please check back later.
    All registrations must be completed online.  Once you have submitted the form, you should receive a confirmation email.  If you are paying with debit or credit card and are routed to Paypal, then your submission went through.  If you are paying with a check, the address to send checks to is:  Joint Conference, PO Box 582, Seeley Lake, MT  59868.

    • Early bird deadline: April 13th
    • Preconference Fee: $200.00 (for attendance on Tuesday only)
    • Conference Fees: 
      • Early bird Member pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities) $250.00
      • After April 13th Member pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities) $265.00
      • Early bird Non-member pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities) $300.00
      • After April 13th Non-member pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities)  $315.00
      • Life Member pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities) $60.00
      • First Time Attendee pricing for attendance (full day Wednesday and half day Thursday including all meals and activities) $175.00
      • Student pricing for attendance (includes all sessions/all days and lunches but does not include banquet ticket) $25.00
    • Why should you attend a Joint Conference?  In addition to earning CEUs/PDHs there are many reasons!  Click on the link to find out more.  Print it out an give to your employer if they need some “extra” convincing! 2026 Value of Conference flyer
    • CEC Information—Approximately 7 hours of training will be available for attendance at the preconference & approximately 10.5 hours of training will be available for attendance at the conference, with a possible additional 2 hours for attendance at the Thursday afternoon facility tours. Actual number of credit hours are awaiting MT DEQ approval. Additional information & CEC forms will be included in your registration packet at the conference.
    • All registrations must be submitted online.  Electronic payments by debit or credit card are accepted, or you can pay with a check. The link for more information and the registration form will be available here: TBD

 

  • Exhibitors Booth & Sponsorship registration is not yet open∼an email will be sent to the contact address on file the day that registration opens.  If you are wondering if you are on that email list, please contact Robin Barnes at info@montanawater.org to verify.
    • Exhibitor set up will take place on Tuesday afternoon from 2pm to 5pm, followed by an Exhibitor sponsored Ice Breaker for all Exhibitors, Attendees and Speakers.
    • Exhibitors are asked to remain on-site until 6:30 pm on Wednesday of the conference.
    • Exhibitors are welcome to remain on-site through the conclusion of the conference at 1 pm on Thursday.
    • Sponsorship opportunity information will be included on the exhibitor registration forms for those that wish to help sponsor the conference but may not want to exhibit.
    • Please read the information available in the following link before registering: TBD
    • The booth layout map will be made available within the registration form.  Booths are assigned on a first come, first served basis as completed registrations forms are received.
    • ALL REGISTRATION FORMS MUST BE COMPLETED/SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY.  Electronic payments by debit or credit card are accepted, or you can pay with a check. The link for more information and the registration form will be available here: TBD

Don’t forget the Best Tap Water Taste Test & Operator Trivia Challenge that will take place on Thursday morning of the conference!  Bring a sample of your city/community water to enter the Taste Test and get your team of 4 to 5 ready for the Trivia Challenge! Contact Robin Matthews-Barnes at info@montanawater.org for more information.

Overview of the 2026 Preconference/Conference Schedule: The following schedule is tentative and subject to change at any time at the discretion of MSAWWA & MWEA

2026 MSAWWA Sponsored Preconference

Tuesday/April 28th
Theme:  Water of the West: Building Resiliency & Optimization
Registration desk open 7 am to 5 pm.
Educational sessions 8 am to 5 pm.
Ice Breaker Reception 5:00 to 6:30 pm.

2026 Joint Conference

Wednesday/April 29th & Thursday/April 30th
Theme:  Working Together To Protect Montana’s Water Resources

AWWA Guest: TBD
WEF Guest: TBD

Wednesday Schedule:
Registration desk open 7 am to 5 pm
Educational sessions 8 am to 5 pm. General session 8 am to 11:30 am. Break out sessions in afternoon. Lunch provided.
Beer and wine reception 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Banquet & Awards 6:30 pm
Entertainment: TBD

Thursday Schedule:
Joint General Membership Meeting 7:30 am
Registration desk open 8 am to noon
Best Tap Water Taste Test & Operator Trivia Challenge during the break
Educational sessions 8 am to noon. Lunch provided.
Water/Wastewater Facility tours

Water For People Fundraiser:

Every year at the annual conference a fundraiser is held for the benefit of WFP. Please contact Carrie Gardner (WFP committee co-chair) at cgardner@greatwesteng.com or Keeley McBryde (WFP committee co-chair) at keeley.mcbryde@ae2s.com for more information.

Joint Scholarship Fund Raffle:

The Scholarship Committee will be heading up a raffle again at the conference to benefit the MSAWWA-MWEA Joint Scholarship Fund. The scholarship (s) is awarded each year to a qualified recipient (s) furthering their education in the water or wastewater fields of study. For more information please contact Co-Chairs Jackie Kuhl at jackie.kuhl@mt.gov or Greg Lukasik at glukasik@greatwesteng.com


Members wishing to obtain copies of presentations should contact the presenter directly, or contact Robin Matthews-Barnes for presenter contact information.