African Utility Week Water 2012, taking place in Johannesburg South Africa on 21 to 24 May 2012, provides a versatile forum for water representatives from across the African continent to discuss challenges and find solutions to the issues facing the one resource we cannot live without.

The conference brings together professionals from water Utilities, Regulators, Private Vendors as well as national and local Government. AUW-Water 2012 provides participants with a fresh perspective on the challenges and opportunities in managing, conserving and measuring water resources across Africa.

The conference is part of the African Utility Week exhibition, which is now in its 12th year of successfully bringing together public and private sector. For more information on African Utility Week Water, please log onto http://www.african-utility-week.com/en/water-main.php

We invite all those interested in:
• presenting a paper
• leading a workshop
• participating in a think-tank/panel discussion
• becoming a participating association
• being a media partner (television, radio, print and online)
• or sponsoring a session

Please see below for all information pertaining to the submission of abstracts.

Presenting a paper: Presenters are asked to submit an abstract (200 - 350 words) and a short biography (50 -100 words) by Wednesday 15th November 2011 via e-mail to nicolette.pombo-vanzyl@spintelligent.com

The abstracts will be evaluated by a Reviewing Committee and presenters will be informed of their acceptance by 15th December 2011 or sooner. Please note that no commercial papers will be accepted.

Accepted abstracts, papers and presentations will be published and made available to delegates in the post event proceedings.

Paper topics: We value and welcome your proposed presentation / panel topics and workshop themes. To get you thinking here are a few suggestions of possible topics that are relevant to the current challenges and opportunities:
• Water conservation, distribution and re-use
• Quality and water treatment
• Governance in the water sector
• Regulatory frameworks
• The impact of acid mine drainage on water security
• Groundwater use policies in developing cities
• Funding infrastructure development – cost versus quality
• Infrastructure development
• Achieving Blue Drop and Green Drop status
• Water audits
• Cross boarder water resource management
• Use of technology to reduce non-revenue water
• Raw water supply
• Metering, billing and revenue collection

Submission guidelines
When making a submission, please ensure that:
• Abstracts and biographies are written in English
• Abstracts do not exceed two A4-size page
• Each abstract contains full contact and designation details of the speaker
• The abstract has not been presented before
• The abstract and presentation is of a non-commercial nature

Note that sales pitches will NOT be considered

Save the dates: as the author you commit yourself to presenting the paper at the event. Speakers are responsible for their own travel and accommodation arrangements and expenses.

Leading a workshop
Instructors are asked to submit a course outline by 15th November 2011. The course outline will be evaluated by a Reviewing Committee and facilitators will be informed of their acceptance on or before 15 December 2011.

Accepted course outlines will be published as course descriptions in the programme. They should therefore be directed at those who might register for the course, rather than the reviewers.

Who to contact

Should you require additional information please contact Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl for a conversation on your level of participation. Telephone +27 21 700 3554 or via e-mail Nicolette.pombo-vanzyl@spintelligent.com

Opportunities to sponsor and/or exhibit
A sponsorship at African Utility Week Water is an ideal way to position your company or organisation as a market leader. By sponsoring you will showcase your brand optimally and generate great PR awareness. Taking a booth on the exhibition floor will enable you to consolidate relationships with existing clients, explore new business opportunities, and monitor your competitors.
Discuss the ideal marketing platform for your company with Joanne Wilson on +27 11 612 3700 or contact via email joanne.wilson@spintelligent.com

Participating association / media partner opportunities
A number of leading associations and media will be allocated partnership positions on the programme. For those wishing to be involved in this capacity, please contact Rose Setshoge on +27 21 700 3550 or via email: rose.setshoge@spintelligent.com