Chicago communities benefit immensely when conference attendees choose to volunteer and give back to the city. When the Water Environment Federation brought its annual technical exhibition and conference WEFTEC to McCormick Place, the organization made hands-on community service projects a vital part of its multiday conference from Sept. 27 – Oct. 1.
The event marked the 17th year water sector leaders spearheaded sustainable service projects, reflecting their corporate social responsibility values.
“Through Water Palooza and the Community Service Project, Water Environment Federation (WEF) members and volunteers at WEFTEC inspire local students to learn about water’s impact and career opportunities, while giving back to our host city,” said Keith Hobson, president of WEF’s Board of Trustees. “These events help instill the principles of the circular water economy and support our vision of a life free of water challenges.”
Community service projects are a valuable and impactful addition to any convention because they create meaningful connections between participants and the host city, said Rose Horcher O’Connor, vice president of Client Services for Choose Chicago.
“For attendees, these projects offer a chance to step outside the typical conference setting and engage in hands-on, purpose-driven activities,” O’Connor said. “They foster team building, provide a sense of shared accomplishment, and reinforce a company or organization’s commitment to social responsibility.”
More than 100 volunteers from WEF’s Students and Young Professionals Community (SYPC) visited Aldridge Elementary School in the Riverdale neighborhood. Volunteer team leaders Brandon Friedland of Xylem and Akshay Jain of CDM Smith led participants in creating an outdoor classroom. They installed green infrastructure, including rain gardens, bioswales, stormwater-managing walkways, and hundreds of native plants. Besides helping manage stormwater, the additions became interactive learning tools for students and the surrounding community.
Local and national water-focused partners assisted in the Aldridge Elementary School project. Participants included the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Collective Learning Lab, Chicago Department of Water Management, Xylem, Jeanette Brown, Michael Baker International, Donohue & Associates, Infiltrator Water Technologies, and Greenprint Partners.
For a separate Water Palooza event, SYPC members and volunteers interacted with elementary school students at the Ida B. Wells Preparatory Academy in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Hands-on activities focused on water, water quality, and environmental stewardship. At different stations, the children learned how water resource recovery facilities work, painted rain barrels, made water cycle bracelets, and learned about responsible flushing habits.
Water Palooza was made possible by some of the Aldridge project sponsors — the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Xylem, and Infiltrator Water Technologies — plus Veolia, the Illinois Water Environment Association, Jacobs, the Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Student Chapter, Carollo Engineers, SmartCover, Duperon, Urban Rivers, AECOM, and HDR.
WEF also sponsored two other service projects. Volunteers packed meal kits at the Hilton Chicago to help feed the city’s hungry, while others joined Cradles to Crayons at McCormick Place to assemble hygiene kits for needy children.
“For the host city, these efforts leave a lasting, positive imprint — whether through revitalized spaces, support for local nonprofits, or contributions to underserved communities,” O’Connor said. “Ultimately, incorporating community service into a convention strengthens civic pride, enhances attendee experience, and builds bridges between visitors and local residents.”
The WEFTEC volunteer projects represent a perfect example of individuals, groups, and businesses working together to inspire meaningful change in the city. Local leaders recognize the positive effect of such community service and encourage other organizations to share their expertise while making a difference in Chicago.
Choose Chicago is at the ready to assist planners with logistics for their own gatherings, including help working volunteer initiatives into their conference or event schedules.
