IWA Conference 2025
FROM UNCERTAINTY TO ACTION
Building an AI Ready Workforce
19 & 20 November
IWA Conference 2025
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Wednesday 19 November
AGM: 8.30 am (Barwon Water)
Conference: 12 pm – 5 pm
Pre-Dinner Drinks: 6 pm – 6.30 pm
Dinner: 6.30 pm – 9 pm
Venue
Novotel Geelong
10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
Thursday 20 November
SIG Meetings: 9 am onwards
Venue
Novotel Geelong
10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
Barwon Water
55-67 Ryrie St, Geelong
Royal Geelong Yacht Club
25 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong
CONFERENCE THEME
From Uncertainty to Action: Building an AI Ready Workforce
As the water industry faces rising uncertainty—from climate extremes to shifting demographics and policy—the future of our workforce depends on its ability to adapt, innovate, and lead.
“ From Uncertainty to Action: Building an AI Ready Workforce“ puts a spotlight on the transformational role of artificial intelligence including automation, data analytics Generative AI in reshaping how we manage water, make decisions, and develop skills.
This conference will explore how you can harness these tools to build resilience—not only in infrastructure and systems, but in people. We’ll delve into the practical implications of AI for the sector, highlight the emerging skillsets needed across all levels, and discuss how to future-proof careers in an era of rapid change.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
ROB MURPHY
IWA President 2025/26
Managing Director
South Gippsland Water
UJWAL KAYANDE
Professor of Marketing, Founding Director Centre for Business Analytics
Melbourne Business School, University of Melbourne
TIFFANY GRAY
Strategic Leadership & Execution Advisor
BRAWT
WAYNE PALES
General Manager, Digital Business
Barwon Water
ANNA LAMONT
Executive Manager Strategy
Coliban Water
SEAMUS SCANLON
National Senior Partner
Davidson
FI BLACKMORE
Executive Manager, People, Culture & Safety
Westernport Water
JASON COTTON
Program Director
Intelligent Water Networks
SHAE ABEL
Manager Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, People & Transformation
Melbourne Water
CONFERENCE DINNER
Please join us for the conference dinner! Always a highlight on the conference program. A fantastic opportunity to catch up and network with the water sector.
This year we will be acknowledging some of the innovative and inspiring pioneers of the water sector, we’ll also hear from WIOA Young Operator of the Year, Dalkeith McCallum-Hanley and there willl be an exclusive fireside chat with industry greats!
Time: 6:00pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm start
Dress: Corporate attire
Cost: $147 + GST per person
Inclusions: Three course meal with beverages
FIRESIDE CHAT
Make sure you join us at the dinner for an exclusive fireside chat with water industry legends Pat McCafferty, Andrew Jeffers and Andrew Chapman.
PAT McCAFFERTY
ANDREW JEFFERS
ANDREW CHAPMAN
TICKETS & REGISTRATION
To register for any component of the 2025 IWA Conference, including the Conference, Dinner, AGM or SIG Meetings, please register via the button below.
Registrations Close on Wednesday 12 November.
Please note invoices for paid components will be sent after the conference.
If you need to cancel your place, please refer to our Cancellation Policy for further details and advise so we can adjust for catering and capacity purposes accordingly.
PAID TICKETS
Conference
Cost: $282 + GST
Time: 12pm arrival – 5pm finish
Inclusions: Conference, lunch, afternoon tea & networking
Dinner
Cost: $147 + GST
Time: 6pm pre-dinner drinks for 6:30pm sit down
Inclusions: Pre-dinner drinks, three course meal with drinks, awards and exclusive fireside chat with water industry legends.
Conference & Dinner Package
Cost: $399 + GST
Going to both, then choose the package ticket that combines the conference and dinner for a discounted price.
FREE REGISTRATION
SIG Meetings
SIG Meetings are open to Victorian water corporations.
Timings for SIG meetings are below:
Arrival tea/coffee: 9 am
Meetings commence: 9:30 am
Lunch: 12:30pm – 1:30pm
AGM
All IWA Members are welcome to join the Annual General Meeting, however please register your attendance if you do plan to attend.
When: 8.30am, Wednesday 19 November
Venue: Boardroom, Barwon Water
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP MEETINGS
The 12 Special Interest Group (SIG) Meetings will take place across 3 venues in Geelong this year. SIG Meetings are open to Victorian water corporation employees and are FREE to attend, however registration is required.
All SIG Meetings will commence at 9.30am, but arrive from 9am to grab a coffee, have a chat and settle in before the meetings start.
Some agendas are now available, with more to come as we get closer to the conference. If you have a specific question regarding any SIG meeting, you can contact the corresponding SIG Convenor. Contact email addresses are linked below.
Venue
Novotel Geelong
SIG
Communications
Corporate Governance
Customer Service
Human Resources
Finance
Technical Services
Meeting Room
Bellarine Room
Limeburners Room
Ceres Room
Restaurant
Peninsula Room
Flinders Room
Venue
Barwon Water
SIG
Information Technology
Executive Assistants
Development Services
Educators
Meeting Room
Room G09
Room 508
Room 509
The Hub
Venue
Royal Geelong Yacht Club
SIG
Energy and Greenhouse
Environment
Meeting Room
West Lounge 1
West Lounge 2
CONFERENCE VENUE
Novotel Geelong – 10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC
Our brilliant conference venue is Novotel Geelong, perfectly situated along the Geelong waterfront in the heart of Geelong CBD, offering stunning sea views and an enviable location. Novotel Geelong was awarded Best Regional Accommodation of the Year in 2024 by the Victorian Accomodation Awards.
ACCOMMODATION
Novotel Geelong – 10/14 Eastern Beach Rd, Geelong VIC
If you’re staying in Geelong, Novotel Geelong have spacious and stylish accommodation for your coastal break with the convenience of being in the same venue as the Conference.
Delegate Discount
We have organised special accommodation rates with the Novotel Geelong for conference delegates. Please click the button below to be directed to our special accommodation link.
SPONSORS
Thanks to our sponsors
Conference Sponsor
Dinner Sponsor
