The Global Water Summit 2017, Madrid: Accelerating Growth through Intelligent Synergies

Global Water Intelligence has announced the theme for the 11^th Annual Global Water Summit, taking place in Madrid in April 2017. ‘Intelligent Synergies’ will be the focal point of the 2017 agenda, exploring how the digital revolution will disrupt the traditional dynamics of the water industry and how this movement can be harnessed for growth within the sector.

Now in its 11th year, The Global Water Summit is widely known as the leading water industry conference. Renowned for its high level attendance, thought-leading content and unrivalled networking opportunities, the Summit attracts over 500 water leaders and business executives, and is vital in shaping the movements of the water industry each year.

GWI Publisher Christopher Gasson commented: “The Global Water Summit has always been about connections: water meets money, public meets private, business meets opportunity. For 2017 we want to take it one step further, to explore how the connections at the edges of the sector can give us fresh perspective on the roadblocks to growth… Water management no longer lives in isolation;  the digital revolution means that utility business models are evolving and data is empowering the customer and the developing world. Meanwhile, the age of the ‘smart’ and ‘liveable’ city has made water an intimate bedfellow with other environmental services such as waste and energy.”

New questions are being on the world of water, and the Global Water Summit will ignite some of these important discussions:

• Uber, Airbnb and Amazon have revolutionised transportation, accommodation and commerce, industries all based on fixed assets. Who will bring this to the water sector?
• With new actors showing interest in the water sector, its borders are losing definition. Is sludge management a water business, an energy business or a waste business?
• Politicians across the globe are seeking to restrict the movement of goods and people. How can we ensure that money and innovation continue to flow to where they are needed most?

The Summit to be held 24-25 April 2017 in Madrid, Spain will explore how intelligent synergies blending finance and technology can deliver solutions for both industries and utilities, from Latin America to China. Martin Ford, futurist and bestselling author, will be delivering the keynote address.

In addition, there will be over five hours of dedicated one-to-one meeting time along with expert-lead round table sessions. The Global Water Awards, which recognise and reward those initiatives in the water, wastewater and desalination sectors that are moving the industry forward through improved operating performance, innovative technology adoption and sustainable financial models, will be held on the evening of 24^th April at the Palacio de Cibeles in