Catalyst is more than an event. It’s a professional accelerator.

Its mission: to harness the collective power of water sector communicators and educators around industry-leading interactive experiences, and to deliver real-world impact that elevates the visibility and value of strategic communications as the true vehicle for making positive and lasting change in the industry and in the communities we serve. We model this through a 2.5-day experience. No conference rooms. No conference badges. We connect with our guests the same way we inspire them to connect with their communities.

Catalyst: Transforming the Future of Water Communication

Catalyst is the immersive experience designed to empower water professionals to build trust, foster collaboration, and drive meaningful change in their communities. At Catalyst, attendees engage in dynamic, hands-on activities that go beyond the boundaries of traditional conferences.

From interactive learning labs and role-playing simulations to real-world problem-solving scenarios, Catalyst equips participants with the tools, strategies, and confidence to effectively engage with key stakeholders, including the media, elected officials, and the public.

What Makes Catalyst Unique?

• Immersive Experiences: Participants dive into simulated crises, stakeholder role-playing, and practical workshops that reflect real challenges faced by the water industry.
• Actionable Skills: Catalyst focuses on equipping professionals with strategies they can implement immediately to enhance communication, build trust, and strengthen public engagement.
• Collaboration and Connection: The event fosters authentic relationships between industry leaders, communication professionals, and innovators, creating a vibrant community dedicated to advancing the value of water.
• A Movement, Not Just a Conference: Catalyst redefines what a professional event can be. With an emphasis on emotional impact and experiential learning, it inspires action and leaves a lasting impression.

Whether you’re navigating stakeholder engagement, responding to a crisis, or shaping public perception, Catalyst provides the insights and skills needed to lead effectively and drive progress in the water sector.

Join us at Catalyst to be part of a transformative movement that’s equipping today’s water leaders to build a brighter, more sustainable future.

How it started.

In 2017, a group of water communicators and educators gathered to ask, “What if?” What if we created an ongoing conversation that took the form of a gathering—a summit where water professionals could:

• Experience a safe space for experimentation
• Re-imagine the “conference” experience
• Learn from thought leaders outside of the water industry
• Discover a community of people just like them

And so, in June of 2018, the first Catalyst Summit was hosted in San Antonio, Texas. From its inception, Catalyst was specifically designed to resemble nothing like a traditional water conference. Instead, we endeavored to gather water educators and communicators from around the country to equip them with the resources they needed to help develop their programs, scale their impact, and engage public stakeholders.

Catalyst is:

Ground zero for the movement revolutionizing how the water industry engages with the world.

Catalyst is: 

An accelerator. A launch pad. It levels-up access and professional development of water storytellers everywhere. It equips, inspires, and empowers providers to truly engage our communities to build public trust in water.

Communication is the missing link.

Communicators are the only link between the industry, the work we do, and the people we serve. Our greatest challenges have always been solved by our greatest collaborations. A challenge that confronts us all demands that we all confront the challenge. We’ll find a solution…Together!