REGISTRATION FOR THE 2021 MANITOBA WATERSHEDS ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS WEDNESDAY, JULY 28, 2021
Winnipeg, Manitoba, July 28, 2021 – The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) is pleased to announce the registration launch for the 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Annual Conference on December 6-8, 2021, which will be hosted in-person at the Keystone Centre in Brandon Manitoba. MAW is committed to upholding current public health recommendations and will follow all necessary guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of all conference attendees.
The 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Conference provides the public and those in the agriculture and conservation industries the opportunity to connect and network with hundreds of innovators, landowners and industry specialists involved in environmental conservation and climate change that are directly shaping Manitoba’s environmental landscape for the better!
This year’s theme is relevant as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused communities and individuals to distance themselves and forego celebrations. The theme - Coming Together, Celebrating Success - offers an opportunity for all to come together in-person to share, learn and educate one another on issues that matter, and that have a direct and positive impact in communities throughout Manitoba.
Lynda Nicol, MAW Executive Director describes the theme as very fitting, stating “By hosting an in-person conference our hope is to give everyone something to look forward to. The conference is a chance for our people to come together, to celebrate, and to recognize the contributions the Watershed Districts, landowners and partners who have continued to work tirelessly towards protecting Manitoba’s water, soil, habitat and climate over the past year.”
The decision to have an in-person conference was made by the MAW Board of Directors. MAW Board Vice-Chair and Conference Committee Chair, Jake Hiebert of Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District shares Nicol’s enthusiasm, saying “After almost two years of being separated from others, and meeting almost exclusively virtually, we now have an opportunity to physically come together and recognize all the great things that Manitobans have been doing. With COVID-19 rates decreasing and vaccinations increasing, we look forward to gathering together again and welcome the opportunity to do so safely. In-person networking is vital to the success of any organization as relationships are built and fostered.”
The 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Conference will be held over the course of 3-days beginning on December 6 and running until December 8th, 2021, at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba. A banquet dinner will be held on the evening of December 7th, 2021 to recognize, through an awards ceremony, those individuals that have immensely contributed to conservation in Manitoba. Tickets for the upcoming 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Conference can be purchased through Eventbrite.
While the intent is for the annual event to be held in-person, MAW’s staff, board of directors, and planning committee are closely monitoring the situation and understand that if public health orders were to change, the 2021 Manitoba Watersheds Conference would transition to a virtual platform.
“Our goal is to host an in-person event. We believe that is likely and are planning accordingly to ensure we do so safely, but public health comes first,” says Nicol. "The MAW team is prepared to transition the conference to a virtual platform if necessary."
Sponsorship and exhibitor packages are available by contacting the MAW office, and delegate registration opens with Early bird pricing on Wednesday, July 28.
“Above all, we want people to know that we just can’t wait to see everyone again,” says Hiebert. “It’s going to be a great conference with a lot to celebrate!”
For more information or media inquiries contact:
Lynda Nicol, Executive Director, Manitoba Association of Watersheds
P: 204-570-0164 | E: lynda@manitobawatersheds.org