Finance & Contract Administration and BABA Workshop
August 4-5, 2026
Barnes & Thornburg Offices * Indianapolis, IN
The WWEMA combined Finance & Contract Administration (F&CA) and BABA Workshop is a dynamic two-day event bringing together professionals from across the water and wastewater industry.
The event will feature a 1½-day Finance & Contract Administration (F&CA) Workshop followed by a dedicated ½-day BABA Workshop, covering key topics including contract administration, procurement strategies, compliance requirements, sourcing challenges, tariffs, and the evolving impact of Build America, Buy America (BABA) regulations. Attendees will gain practical insights through expert-led discussions, hands-on learning opportunities, and real-world case studies.
The BABA Workshop will bring together industry experts for an interactive discussion on new member guidance, funding opportunities, and the changing federal compliance landscape. Attendees will gain timely insights, practical strategies, and valuable perspectives to help their organizations confidently navigate complex compliance challenges and stay ahead of changing federal requirements.
Who Should Attend?
- Presidents, CEOs, and Senior Executives
- Contract, Finance, and Legal Staff
- Business Development Managers
- Project Managers
- Water and Wastewater Technology Manufacturers
- Supply Chain and Procurement Professionals
- Manufacturers’ Representatives
- Emerging Leaders
- Suppliers and Distributors
- Utilities and Contractors
| F&CA and BABA Workshop Agenda | ||
|---|---|---|
| Monday, August 3rd | ||
| 6:30 - 8:00 pm | Emerging Leader and Welcome Reception | |
| Tuesday, August 4th | ||
| 8:00 - 9:00 am | Networking Breakfast | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | Keynote Speaker Kevin Olsavsky, P.E., LEED AP, CDCP, Vice President & Sector Lead, Mission Critical & Data Centers, Michael Baker International Navigating Contracts and Non-Disclosure Agreements in Data Center Development As the digital economy expands, Mr. Olsavsky will highlight the contractual considerations that support successful data center developments, with a focus on the professionals responsible for negotiating, drafting, and managing project agreements. The discussion will explore key contract provisions, including non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), confidentiality obligations, risk allocation, and the legal frameworks that help protect sensitive information while enabling collaboration among stakeholders throughout the development process. |
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| 10:00 - 10:45 am | Market Forecast: Trends Shaping the Water & Wastewater Industry Gain valuable insights into the economic, regulatory, and market forces influencing the future of the water and wastewater industry. This presentation will examine current market conditions, growth projections, infrastructure investment trends, funding opportunities, and emerging challenges impacting manufacturers and suppliers. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the factors driving demand, anticipated market shifts, and strategic considerations for navigating the evolving water sector. Doug Baldessari, Principal, Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors |
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| 10:45 - 11:00 am | Networking Break | |
| 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Contracts Overview and Emerging Trends in the Water Sector The contract landscape in the water and wastewater sector continues to evolve as organizations respond to changing regulations, funding opportunities, procurement requirements, and project risks. This session will provide a practical overview of common contract types, essential provisions, and emerging trends influencing how agreements are negotiated, administered, and executed. Participants will gain insight into evolving best practices, risk allocation strategies, and the contractual considerations that help support successful project delivery in today's regulatory and funding environment. Alexander Bandza, Esq., Partner, Barnes & Thornburg |
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| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Networking Lunch | |
| 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Breakout: Hands-On - Analyzing Contract Language Apply your contract knowledge in this interactive breakout session. Working in small groups, participants will review real-world contract provisions, identify areas of concern, discuss potential risks, and evaluate how specific language can impact project outcomes. This collaborative exercise is designed to strengthen contract review skills and encourage practical problem-solving. Facilitated by: Alexander Bandza, Esq., Partner, Barnes & Thornburg |
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| 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Interactive Workshop: Strengthening Contract Provisions Build on the insights gained during the breakout session by refining and improving contract language. Participants will identify drafting weaknesses, revise key provisions, and explore strategies for strengthening terms related to risk allocation, compliance, and project performance. This hands-on workshop emphasizes practical techniques for creating clearer, more effective agreements that better protect organizational interests. Facilitated by: Alexander Bandza, Esq., Partner, Barnes & Thornburg |
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| 3:00 - 3:15 pm | Networking Break | |
| 3:15 - 4:15 pm | Early Engagement, Better Outcomes: Leveraging Manufacturer Expertise in Collaborative Delivery Equipment manufacturers are a key partner in ensuring the success of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Early engagement in the project process leverages valuable manufacturer expertise to help the project team proactively mitigate supply chain challenges and other risks, evaluate lifecycle costs and O&M impacts, and identify innovative solutions to address community needs. Collaborative project delivery provides an opportunity for early manufacturer engagement, which continues throughout the project process. This presentation and dialogue will provide an overview of collaborative project delivery, with a focus on progressive-design build (PDB), key engagement points, and the value of strategic manufacturer engagement throughout the project process. Tommy Brennan, National Client Services Director, Ulliman Schutte |
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| 5:00 - 6:00 pm | Networking Reception | |
| Wednesday, August 5th | ||
| 8:00 - 9:00 am | Networking Breakfast | |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | Keynote Speaker Eric Dundee, Executive Director of Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Madison, WI Aging Infrastructure: I Got 99 Problems and BABA is One! This session provides a utility leader’s perspective on BABA and the difficulties it presents when trying to lead an organization. The clock is ticking on aging wastewater assets and the capital improvements projects are piling up. When requirements like BABA are implemented, more barriers are introduced. Can public utilities and manufactures figure this out together to get the preferred equipment and avoid delays? |
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| 10:00 - 10:45 am | Where Are We with BABA? The Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) is now firmly in place. WWEMA has a new guide for manufacturers, and this session will provide a practical overview of that guidance, highlighting key compliance considerations and implementation strategies. Participants will gain a better understanding of current domestic sourcing requirements, documentation expectations, available waivers, and best practices for navigating federally funded water and wastewater projects. The discussion will also address common challenges manufacturers, suppliers, and project owners face in meeting BABA requirements while maintaining project schedules and funding eligibility. Tim Connor, AquaLobo Consulting |
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| 10:45 - 11:30 am | Tariff Policy Update: Legal Developments and Supply Chain Impacts This session will provide a legal analysis and update on recent developments affecting tariff policy, including the implications of the latest Supreme Court decision. The presentation will explore current trends in global tariffs, trade regulations, and policy changes impacting businesses and supply chains. Key topics will include updates to trade agreements, potential tariff adjustments, and the broader effects of evolving trade policies on sourcing, costs, and supply chain management. David Spooner, Partner, International Trade, Co-Chair, Barnes & Thornburg LLP (Invited) |
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| 11:30 - 1:00 pm | Networking Lunch with Keynote Speaker Federal Funding & Regulatory Update This session will provide the latest developments affecting the water and wastewater industry. This session will provide an update on the current status of federal funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including key programs and funding priorities. Attendees will also receive an overview of recent regulatory and legislative developments, emerging policy initiatives, and their potential impact on manufacturers, utilities, and project stakeholders. Fred Andes, Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP |
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| 1:00 - 4:00 pm | Build America, Buy America (BABA) Workshop This interactive workshop will provide attendees with a practical understanding of BABA requirements and their impact on federally funded water and wastewater projects. Sessions will cover current implementation guidance, compliance obligations, domestic sourcing requirements, documentation considerations, and best practices for navigating challenges throughout the project lifecycle. Participants will gain insights to help strengthen compliance strategies, support project delivery, and better understand the evolving landscape of federal infrastructure funding requirements. Lisa Coleman, representing the American Public Works Association and the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, will share real-world experiences navigating BABA requirements. She will highlight lessons learned from federally funded projects, including the District’s first BABA-compliant project, and provide practical insights for utilities managing BABA compliance on future infrastructure investments. Facilitated by: Claudio Ternieden, Executive Director, WWEMA Panelists: Lisa Coleman, Engineering Manager, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Madison, WI Tim Connor, AquaLobo Consulting Lee Ann Hellums, Atlas Copco Compressors (WWEMA Member) |
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Registration
| Category | Early Bird Registration (Register by June 25th) | Rate after June 25th |
|---|---|---|
| WWEMA Member - 1st Registrant | $650 per person | $700 per person |
| WWEMA Member - Additional Registrants | $500 per person | $550 per person |
| WWEMA Member - Emerging Leader Registrant | N/A | $500 per person |
| 1-Day Only BABA Workshop | N/A | $450 per person |
| WWEMA Non-Member Registrant | N/A | $850 per person |
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations received by June 25, 2026 will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee. No refunds issued after July 21, 2026.
Hotel Information
WWEMA does not have a block of rooms reserved but Barnes & Thornburg has provided a list of recommended hotels within walking distance of their offices which is located at 11 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Recommended Hotels:
- Conrad Indianapolis (.11 mi from BT Office) Conrad Indianapolis
- InterContinental (.13 mi from BT office) Downtown Indianapolis Hotel | InterContinental Indianapolis
- Embassy Suites (.14 mi from BT Office) Embassy Suites by Hilton Indianapolis Downtown | Official Website
- Homewood Suites Downton (.14 mi to BT Office) Homewood Suites Extended Stay Indianapolis Downtown
- Hyatt Place Indianapolis Downtown (.14 mi to BT Office) Downtown Indianapolis Hotels- Hyatt Place Indianapolis
- Le Meridien (.2 mi from BT Office) Le Méridien Indianapolis | Upscale Modern Hotel
Sponsorships (Available through registration)
WWEMA provides sponsorship opportunities to enhance the success of our Annual Meeting. Sponsors receive recognition across various channels, including promotional materials, social media, the onsite program, podium announcements, meeting video screens, the WWEMA website, and in post-meeting summaries and documents. Detailed information can be found during the registration process.
| Category | Rate |
|---|---|
| Registration Table Sponsor (First impressions matter. Sponsor the registration table and put your logo in front of every attendee.) | $250 |
| Networking Coffee Break & Snacks Sponsor (Fuel the conversations. Sponsor the coffee and snack break and your logo will be displayed at the center of networking and recharge time.) | $500 |
| Emerging Leader Program Sponsor (Support the next generation of water-sector leaders in finance, contracts and administration and fuel leadership, growth, and innovation.) | $650 |
| Networking Breakfast Sponsor (Help start the meeting with an informal discussion and member engagement.) | $750 |
| AI & Operations Innovation Sponsor (Support conversations on emerging technologies, AI, automation, digital workflows, cybersecurity, and operational modernization that impact the water sector.) | $750 |
| Lunch Sponsor (Support one of two of the workshop's central networking and discussion opportunities.) | $1,000 |
| Exclusive Monday Night Reception Sponsor (Support networking and fostering peer connections among finance, contracts and operations professionals) | $1,500 |
| Exclusive Tuesday Night Reception Sponsor (Support networking and fostering peer connections among finance, contracts and operations professionals) | $1,500 |