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

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 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 Email: [email protected]   Website: AWT – The Association of Water Technologies   LinkedIn: Matt Coffindaffer, MBA, CAE | LinkedIn   Association of Water Technologies (AWT): About | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   AWT 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition   2026 AWT Agenda  2026 AWT Exhibitors List 2026 AWT Business Owners Meeting   The Value of CWT Certification  ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation  Momentum Association Management    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  493 Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 1  127 The One With Tom Hutchison   426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.     This episode made possible through our valued partners at