Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative 2025 Annual Conference

Registration: Please note that registration fees are in USD.

Parking: Saint Kate offers a safe, reliable underground paid parking structure for hotel guests. Self-parking is available at $31/night (includes in & out access). Valet is also available for $25 for day parking and $43 for overnight parking.

Description:

Join us in Milwaukee, WI, from May 14-16, 2025, for The Future of Fresh Water: Leading the Way in an Era of Scarcity. Globally, access to clean water has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century as various trends – from skyrocketing demand and constrained public budgets to the persistent threats of pollution and floods – converge to endanger water supply, water quality, and ultimately, communities and people.

With about 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water, the communities of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region are on the frontlines of this challenge. At the same time, cities are being tasked to do more with less as their residents struggle with an affordability crisis. Mayors and municipal leaders across the region are championing the investments and innovation required to safeguard our most critical resource. Because when water is at risk, so is our economy, health, and future.

Don’t miss this opportunity to collaborate, innovate, and lead the way in addressing these challenges. Hosted by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, this conference will shine a spotlight on the vital role that local governments, industries, and innovators in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Region Basin play in tackling both regional and global water issues.

Why Attend?

The basin is home to one of the largest freshwater systems in the world, and its stewardship is central to the prosperity and health of our communities. As the climate and economic pressures create new challenges for basin cities, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to lead on managing and protecting our freshwater resources.

This conference will bring together leaders and experts who are innovating and implementing solutions to critical issues, such as water consumption, water protection, and local flooding, while contributing to environmental stewardship, lower costs for municipalities, sustainable economic development, and community health. Gain insights from local success stories, connect with fellow leaders, and discover strategies to strengthen your community’s resilience and showcase the region as a model of responsible freshwater stewardship.

Subject to change

Day One: Wednesday, May 14

9:00 AM | Mayors Commissions (reserved for Cities Initiative members)

9:00 AM | PitcH2O Innovation Competition (open to all attendees)

10:30 AM | Member Meeting (reserved for Cities Initiative members)

12:00 PM | Free time

1:00 PM | Welcome Ceremony

2:00 PM | Opening Session

3:00 PM | Plenary #1 Supply and Demand - Preserving Our Region's Abundant Freshwater Resources

4:00 PM | Concurrent Breakout Sessions 1 & 2

• #1 - Pioneering New Approaches to Water Management, Presented by: AquaAction
• #2 - Bigger Solutions: Scaling Up Waterfront Planning, Presented by: SmithGroup

5:00 PM | End of Day 1 Sessions

7:00 PM | Mayors Opening Reception at the Milwaukee County Historical Society

Day Two: Thursday, May 15

8:00 AM | Coastal Programs Breakfast: Advancing Coastal Resilience in a New Era (invite only), Presented by: Stantec

9:00 AM | Opening Remarks

10:00 AM | Plenary #2 Clean Water Communities - Addressing Legacy Pollution, Emerging Contaminants and Beyond

11:00 AM | Concurrent Breakout Sessions 3 & 4

• #3 - Strategic Communications and Marketing: Driving Policy & Public Action, Presented by: Xylem
• #4 - Enhancing Water Stewardship through Public-Private Partnerships, Presented by: Veolia

12:00 PM | Luncheon and Special Session

2:00 PM | Plenary #3 Weather the Storm - Advancing Water Resilience in an Era of Extreme Flooding and Erosion

3:00 PM | Concurrent Breakout Sessions 5 & 6

• #5 - Harnessing Nature for Resilience: Overcoming Barriers to Green Infrastructure Implementation, Presented by: ENGIE
• #6 - Discussion on Brownfields: Demystifying Remediation and Exploring Opportunities

4:00 PM | Closing Ceremony

5:00 PM | End of Day 2 Sessions

6:00 PM | Exhibitors Reception

8:00 PM | Awards Dinner

Day Three: Friday, May 16

9:00 AM | Educational Tours

1:00 PM | Tours end / End of 2025 Annual Conference

Hotel Accommodations:

Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel
139 E. Kilbourn Avenue | Milwaukee, WI
Book your room online or by calling 414-488-0540
Room rate: $209/night excluding taxes
Reservations must be received on or before April 21, 2025.
Hotel Website

Cancellation policy – Guest room reservations can be canceled without a penalty until up to 48 hours before your arrival date. After that time, a cancellation charge applies equal to one night’s room rate plus tax. Please retain your cancellation number to avoid cancellation charges. Group rate is valid 3 days pre and post event the event, based on availability.