Welcome WEFTEC!

Welcome water professionals!

The 84^thannual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference comes to the Big Easy this weekend. Between exhibits, showcases, workshops and keynote speakers, many attendees will stay with us at the Hilton Garden Inn. WEFTEC’s expansive show floor exhibits the field’s most recent and revolutionary technologies and services for water treatment and quality. Additionally, on October 1-3, 2012, some WEFTEC attendees will compete in the Operations Challenge 2012 at the Convention Center. The competition features humorous team names like the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Poo Fighters, Water Environment Association of Ontario Sludge Hammers, and Hawaii Water Environment Association Septic Soljahs. All in all, the weekend promises to be an exciting time for water professionals and we look forward to hosting many of them at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center.

In honor of the WEFTEC, here’s a list of water and water-quality related things to do in New Orleans:

1. Tour Pump Stations, Levees and Canals: New Orleans is under sea level and surrounded by the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, and swamp. The city’s topography is roughly shaped like a bowl. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s vulnerable to hurricanes and frequently gets hit by them—since the city’s inception, over 38 hurricanes have caused significant flood damage. This vulnerability resulted in some genius and some not-so-genius drainage system. You can watch the Mississippi from the tops of the levees at the Fly or downtown.  The Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center is close to the Riverwalk, which overlooks the Mississippi.
2. Ride the Steamboat Natchez: Take a tour down the Mississippi River on a steamboat! The last “authentic” steamboat on the Mississippi offers jazz music and lunch as well as great views of the Crescent City’s banks.
3. Explore Lake Pontchartrain: Visit the largest lake in Louisiana. Lake Pontchartrain is also home to the longest bridge in the world, the Pontchartrain Expressway.
4. Take a Swamp Tour: Venture into Louisiana’s mystic swamps on a swamp tour! There are many swamp tours to choose from—some on boats, some on airboat, some with alligators, some without—but all are sure to be exciting.

See our front desk agents for more information!

Again, welcome to our WEFTEC guests! We hope that your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center will be a wonderful one.