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About APWA
The American Public Works Association (APWA) is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies and individuals dedicated to providing high quality public works goods and services. APWA promotes professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge.

Chartered in 1937, APWA is the largest and oldest organization of its kind in the world, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, and an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. APWA provides a forum for public works professionals to exchange ideas, improve professional competency, increase the performance of their agencies and companies, and bring important public works-related topics to public attention in local, state and federal arenas.

Membership
Organized within nine regions, APWA’s 28,500 members comprise 64 chapters and 87 branches throughout North America, serving virtually every community, state, province and region on the continent. The association is a highly participatory organization with hundreds of opportunities for leadership and service, and a network of several dozen national committees in every area of public works. Governed by a 17-member board of directors, elected at both the regional and national levels, APWA is an open, flexible association with diversified membership and a reputation for quality services and products.

Education and Professional Development
With a wealth of management and technical resources, APWA offers timely books and videos, workshops, interactive audio-web conferences, training, chapter programs and national meetings keeping public works professionals up-to-date on trends and emerging issues. APWA’s nationally sponsored educational programs provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for time spent in the classroom during professional development and training activities. In 2006, the association launched the Public Works Institute learning model designed to address supervisory and management needs through 10 core areas of study, ranging from basic management skills to fundamentals of government.

In addition to a series of professional certification programs, APWA helps public agencies demonstrate commitment to continuously improving public works operations and services through a voluntary self-accreditation program. In 2007 the association celebrates the 10th anniversary of the first public agencies to earn accreditation.

APWA Reporter
The award-winning APWA Reporter serves as the prime communication link uniting the community of public works professionals who make up the association. Most articles are written by member-experts on subjects ranging from emergency management and water resources to fleet services and winter maintenance. The articles contain information on management techniques, research, training programs and new technology.

Events
APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition
Billed as the “Best Show in Public Works,” APWA’s annual International Public Works Congress and Exposition brings together the newest public works products, emerging trends and best practices through a series of cutting-edge educational sessions and speakers, and the world’s largest public works exhibition floor. More than 6,500 APWA members and industry professionals attend the meeting, which is held in a different North American city every year.

APWA North American Snow Conference
Each spring more than 1,000 participants attend APWA’s North American Snow Conference, the premiere winter maintenance conference for professionals dealing with snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain and unpredictable weather patterns and storm systems. The conference highlights the latest innovations, successful practices and strategies in winter operations through expert speakers, educational sessions and technical tours. In 2006, heavy equipment debuted on the Snow Conference exhibit floor, which also features new technology and services tailored to snow and ice management and winter operations.

Advocacy
APWA empowers public works professionals to be the voice for adequate investment in public infrastructure among local, state and federal policymakers. APWA’s Government Affairs Committee and other member advocates create partnerships with key stakeholders, establish new lines of communication with decision makers and extend outreach into the center of public policy discussions. Working in the public interest, APWA members bring their experience, expertise and unique perspective to policy debates that impact public works and our communities.

For More Information
Becky Wickstrom
APWA Media Affairs Manager
1401 K St. NW, 11th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005

(202) 218-6736 bwickstrom@apwa.net