WEFTEC 2026 New Orleans — The Complete Guide for Water Quality Professionals and Exhibitors Who Want to Make a Real Impact
Conference: September 26–30, 2026 | Exhibition: September 28–30, 2026 Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
If your company works in water quality, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, water technology, environmental engineering, or any part of the water sector supply chain, there is one event every year that the entire global water community organizes around. WEFTEC 2026 is heading to New Orleans, Louisiana — and it is the world’s largest annual water quality exhibition and conference.
Produced by the Water Environment Federation (WEF), WEFTEC brings together water professionals, utility operators, engineers, technology suppliers, researchers, regulators, and policy leaders from across the United States and around the world for five days of education, innovation, and business development at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
This guide covers everything you need to know about WEFTEC 2026 — the exhibition, the specialty pavilions, booth pricing and payment schedules, the full sponsorship menu, new activations, contact information, and how Interior Today LLC can build you a booth that earns serious attention on one of the most important show floors in the water industry.
What Is WEFTEC?
WEFTEC stands for the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference. It is the world’s largest annual water quality event — a five-day gathering that combines the most respected technical education program in the water sector with a massive exhibition floor where suppliers, technology companies, and service providers connect directly with the utility operators, engineers, and procurement professionals who run water and wastewater systems across North America and internationally.
The 2026 event runs from September 26 through September 30 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana — one of the largest and most distinctive convention facilities in the United States, a mile long from end to end and located in the heart of a city that knows how to host.
The conference runs all five days — September 26 through 30. The exhibition is open for three days — September 28, 29, and 30.
WEFTEC 2026 Key Details
Conference Dates: September 26–30, 2026
Exhibition Dates: September 28–30, 2026
Venue: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Organized by: Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Website: weftec.org
Booth Design Contact: hello@interiortoday.us | +1 775-382 -5513
New Orleans is one of the most accessible and genuinely exciting cities in the United States for a major conference. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is served by direct flights from across the country, and the convention center is located along the Mississippi River, steps from the French Quarter, world-class restaurants, live music venues, and some of the best hospitality in America.
The Exhibition Floor — What Makes WEFTEC Different
The WEFTEC exhibition floor is not just a place to display products. It is where the global water industry makes decisions. Utility operators, municipal engineers, procurement professionals, operations directors, and technical specialists come to the exhibition with specific purchasing intentions — and they spend hours walking the floor evaluating solutions, comparing suppliers, and meeting the teams behind the technology.
The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a mile long from end to end — and WEFTEC fills a significant portion of it. Trolleys run continuously throughout the exhibition hall during show hours to help attendees travel the entire floor, with a new loop in 2026 running between the main aisle and secondary aisle with pickup and drop-off at every trolley stop. This means no corner of the floor is out of reach — every booth gets traffic.
The 2026 exhibition introduces the new Workforce Hub — a brand new feature on the WEFTEC exhibit floor designed specifically for utility operations, maintenance, and technician professionals. The Hub offers short-format programming, live demonstrations, and interactive learning opportunities curated for current field needs and for building the next generation of utility staff. This draws a previously underserved audience segment directly onto the exhibition floor.
Specialty Pavilions at WEFTEC 2026
WEFTEC organizes several curated Specialty Pavilions across the exhibition floor, each focused on a key strategic area aligned with WEF’s mission. Pavilions are curated by WEF’s Technical Team, and exhibitors must qualify to participate. These pavilions drive concentrated foot traffic from the most relevant audience segments — making pavilion placement one of the most valuable real estate decisions on the WEFTEC floor.
Advanced Technology Solutions Pavilion Showcases digital-based technologies and practices that help water sector practitioners design and operate water systems more efficiently and effectively. Focus areas include drones, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and automation. If your company is bringing technology innovation to the water sector, this is the pavilion where the right people come looking.
Circular Water Economy Pavilion Focused on the circular water concept — reducing waste, recovering nutrients and energy, and regenerating nature. The four focus areas are Reducing Waste (energy efficiency, source control, treating emerging contaminants, distributed infrastructure), Recovering Resources (nutrient and energy recovery including fertilizers, gas production, desalination, and data centers), Regenerating Nature (nature-based solutions and watershed management), and Corporate Water Stewardship (ensuring regulatory compliance, enhancing business resilience, reducing costs, and strengthening supply chains through efficient water management).
Innovation Pavilion WEF’s showcase for market leaders working alongside entrepreneurs, featuring companies from BlueTech Research and Imagine H2O presenting emergent technologies that demonstrate their impact and help professionals visualize the potential of the water sector. The Innovation Pavilion includes a Main Showcase, a Discovery Zone, and an Innovation Theater. The Innovation Showcase Reception gives attendees complimentary beverages while networking with exhibitors and speakers in the pavilion.
New Exhibitor Pavilion Exclusively for companies that have never exhibited at WEFTEC before and are not part of a larger company or group. This gives first-time exhibitors a structured, supportive environment to introduce themselves to the WEFTEC community.
NEW: Workforce Hub Brand new for 2026. This immersive hub is dedicated to utility operations, maintenance, and technician professionals and Operations Challenge participants. It features short-format programming, live demonstrations, and interactive learning — curated specifically to enhance skills for current operational needs and to build the next generation of water utility staff.
WEFTEC 2026 Exhibit Space Pricing
WEFTEC offers competitive exhibit rates with member and non-member pricing.
WEF Member Exhibitor Rate Advance Sales: $45 per square foot General Sales: $47 per square foot
WEF Non-Member Exhibitor Rate Advance Sales: $53 per square foot General Sales: $55 per square foot
To receive the WEF Member rate, your company must maintain a 2026 exhibitor membership.
Additional Costs Corner booths: $250 per corner. Corner fees and booth share fees are waived for booths of 1,600 square feet or larger. Ancillary items including carpet, electricity, furnishings, and labor are additional.
What Is Included with Your Booth Space Basic digital listing on WEFTEC.org. Access to registration data (email addresses not included). Access to Keynote and technical sessions. Free promotional materials including a Feather. Inline booths receive an 8-foot high back drape and 36-inch side dividers. Shared island booths receive an 8-foot high back drape. Company ID sign for booths of 300 square feet or smaller. Four booth personnel admittance badges per 10 by 10 booth (100 square feet) of contracted exhibit space. Access to exhibitor training seminars and programs, plus free online access to the proceedings.
Exhibit Space Payment Schedule and Cancellation Policy
Payment Schedule Advance Sales: 50% deposit due by January 31, 2026. General Sales: 50% deposit due with application. Full payment due by April 30, 2026.
Cancellation Policy All booth reductions and cancellations must be submitted in writing to WEFTECSales@wef.org.
Cancellations before January 31, 2026 receive a full refund.
Cancellations or space reductions between February 1 and April 30, 2026 incur a cancellation fee of 50% of the total booth fees on the canceled space.
Cancellations or space reductions after April 30, 2026 incur a cancellation fee of 100% of the total booth fees on the canceled space.
Sponsorship Opportunities at WEFTEC 2026
WEFTEC 2026 offers one of the most comprehensive sponsorship menus of any water industry event. Every sponsorship is available at the member rate — add 20% for the non-member rate. Full payment for all sponsorships is due April 30, 2026. Sponsorship deadline for tote bags is May 1, 2026.
High-Visibility Event Sponsorships
Registration Sponsor (Exclusive) — $42,000. Includes exclusive banner ad on the registration website landing page, logo footer on all registration confirmation emails sent three times to all registrants, company-specific logo on select registration counter panels, placement of two custom meter boards, a 30-second video on the video wall, and conference-wide benefits.
NEW: Satellite Badge Pick-up Sponsor (Exclusive) — $22,500. Attendees pick up their badges in advance at satellite desks at MSY Airport, Hilton Riverside, and one Canal Street hotel. Sponsor receives recognition as the Exclusive Badge Pick-up Counter Sponsor in all promotional materials and logo recognition at each badge desk.
Opening General Session Sponsor (Exclusive) — $42,500. Includes recognition as the OGS sponsor in pre-show materials, a 3-minute sponsor-produced video at the OGS, signage and logo recognition in the OGS reception area, and conference-wide benefits.
Mobile App Sponsor (Exclusive) — $36,500. The WEFTEC mobile app is used by thousands of attendees before, during, and after the show. Includes a custom splash page when the app is opened, banner ads on primary navigation pages, Product Category Sponsor status guaranteeing top listing in three product categories of your choice, and conference-wide benefits.
Mobile App Banner Ad (5 available) — $14,500 each.
Global Center and International Reception Sponsor (Exclusive) — $36,000. WEFTEC typically welcomes 300 global registrants from 74 countries. The International Reception is held inside Global Center and is open to international exhibitors. Includes 10 sponsor logo clings in the Global Center, 2 floor clings, a PowerPoint or commercial on display screens during the reception, and conference-wide benefits.
Lanyards (Exclusive) — $25,000. Logo branding on lanyards distributed to all professional attendees at every registration area. Sponsor is responsible for production and costs.
Tote Bags (5 available) — $23,500 member / $25,200 non-member. The WEFTEC eco-friendly tote is one of the most popular and visible sponsorships at the show. Five sponsor logos printed in one color along with WEFTEC branding, distributed at registration. Tote bag production is included in the fee.
NEW: WIFI Lounge Sponsor. WIFI is not available throughout the exhibit hall, so WEF has set up WIFI Lounges throughout the floor. 1 Lounge: $10,000. 2 Lounges: $18,000. Exclusive (all 5 lounges): $40,000. Each lounge includes seating, a WIFI hot spot, recognition on the floor plan, a double-sided meterboard, and a 5-foot by 5-foot floor decal with your company logo.
Coffee Service Sponsorships
Opening General Session and Monday Afternoon Session Coffee (Exclusive) — $12,500. Technical Session Coffee Service — Partner Sponsor (1 available): $8,500. Supporter Sponsor (3 available): $6,500. Coffee service runs Tuesday morning, Tuesday afternoon, and Wednesday morning.
Education and Session Sponsorships
Innovation Showcase Reception Sponsor — $15,000.
Theater Presentations — 10 spots available Monday and Tuesday at $14,000 each. 3 spots available Wednesday at $10,000 each. Theaters are in high-traffic areas and open to all attendees. Each includes a 45-minute slot (30-minute presentation plus 15-minute Q&A), signage, a WEF-produced eshowmail two weeks before the show, one entry in the WEFTEC Product Showcase email, one entry in the WEFTEC Now email, and two social media posts.
NEW: Technical Session Room Sponsor (Exclusive) — $30,000. The WEFTEC technical program includes over 130 sessions in approximately 17 rooms, developed by more than 240 topical experts. Benefits include a custom slide at the beginning of sessions, moderator acknowledgment, and logo on digital room signs.
Transportation Sponsorships
Shuttle Bus Sponsor (5 available) — $17,500 per bus/route. Shuttle buses run morning and evening Sunday through Wednesday, transporting an estimated 900-plus riders per day between the convention center and hotels. Includes logo on digital signage in the Shuttle Hub, choice of 50 branded headrests or interior window banners, a 3-foot by 3-foot sponsor-designed shuttle sidewalk decal, and mention in the mobile app.
NEW: Official WEFTEC Pen Sponsor (Exclusive) — $7,000. Sponsor supplies the pens. WEF places them throughout session rooms, at registration, the WEF Hub, and beyond.
Trolley Signage (5 available) — $17,500. Multiple branding locations on each trolley including the roof top, front and rear signs, side decals, and front decal. Hard to miss on the mile-long convention floor.
Trolley Stop Sponsor — Premier Placement (5 available): $7,500. Standard Placement (10 available): $5,500.
Onsite Signage
Printed options include clings for exhibit hall carpet, bathroom mirrors, doors, and escalators, plus banners. Standard meterboard placement: $5,500. Premier placement: $7,500. Exhibit Hall Floor Clings: 3-foot by 3-foot clings available at $750 standard and $950 premier (18 available). 5-foot by 5-foot clings: $1,250 standard and $1,550 premier (7 available).
Digital options include Digital Meterboards at $4,500 per display or $16,000 for all four. Marquee on the Plaza (5 available) — $12,500 each for a 32-foot by 18-foot digital marquee on Convention Center Boulevard. Digital Canopy Screens (2 available) — $9,500 each for a two-sided 12-foot by 3-foot digital sign displayed outside the convention center.
Video and Media Sponsorships
Video Wall — 30-Second Video (15 available) — $8,000 each. Videos run on a preprogrammed loop continuously during show hours.
WEFTEC In-booth Interview (8 available) — $8,000. WEF’s videography team comes to your booth to create a 3–5 minute professionally edited video posted on WEFTEC’s YouTube and website.
Wayfinder Sponsorship (2 available) — $16,000. Prominently located near the exhibition hall, wayfinders help attendees navigate while showcasing your brand and driving booth traffic.
Water Station Sponsorship (4 available) — 1 station: $12,500. 2 stations: $22,000. All 4 stations: $38,000. Fully customizable graphics on each cart. Promoted in the Know Before You Go email and via mobile app push notification during the show.
Company-Branded Charging Pods (3 available) — $6,000 each or $15,000 for all three. Each bank includes seven individual branded portable chargers placed near meeting rooms. Includes logo recognition on signage and two push notifications.
New Activations for 2026
NEW: Hosted Press Product Launch (5 available) — $40,000. WEF invites the press while you launch your new product. Includes a 15-minute theater presentation filmed by WEF’s video team, video played on the video wall the following day, posting to WEF social media and YouTube, promotion in December’s WEFTEC Recap Issue, and a post-show eshowmail to all registered attendees.
NEW: Company Showcase Breakfast (5 available) — $13,000. Invite your top customers one hour before the show opens for breakfast in your booth. Focused, uninterrupted time with your best clients or prospects. Invitees must be registered attendees with a special invitation. Sponsor is responsible for food, beverage, and additional utilities.
Fill It Forward — Inspire the World to Reuse (Exclusive) — $25,000. Partner with WEF to inspire attendees to bring refillable water bottles. Your company receives recognition across WEFTEC.org, social media, and pre-show emails; 5,000 customized Fill It Forward postcards; logo branding on the Fill It Forward mobile app page; the opportunity to select the giving project; and conference-wide benefits.
NEW: Reboot Lounge (Exclusive) — Contact for pricing. Sponsor a professional massage lounge where WEF hires licensed massage therapists. Sponsored content in conference guides, attendee emails, WEFTEC.org, and the mobile app.
NEW: Photo Moment / Custom Activation — Contact for pricing. A dedicated high-traffic space for a custom branded activation designed to create social media buzz.
Student and Young Professional Sponsorships
WEFTEC’s Student and Young Professionals sponsorships span the Annual Community Service Project, Water Palooza Education Fair, Student Design Competition, Career Fair, and Young Professionals Reception.
Partner Sponsor — $13,000. Supporter Sponsor — $8,500. Associate Sponsor — $5,000. Career Fair Sponsor — $3,000 (expects 180–250 visitors, held Monday for 3 hours).
Women in Water Learning Exchange — Partner (Exclusive): $13,500. Supporter: $6,700.
WEF InFLOW Program — Game Changer (4 available): $13,000. Supporting Sponsor: $7,500. Scholarship Sponsor: $3,800.
Sponsorship Benefits by Investment Level
All WEFTEC 2026 sponsors receive tiered benefits based on their total sponsorship spend.
Supporter Benefits ($4,500 to $10,999): Logo on WEFTEC.org sponsor page, logo in the WE&T WEFTEC Issue, logo in the digital WEFTEC Conference Preview, logo in the official on-site guide, logo on one on-site sponsor sign, and a Deluxe Map Your Show digital listing.
Partner Benefits ($10,500 to $24,999): Everything in Supporter plus logo on two on-site signs, logo on the Opening General Session slide shared with partner sponsors, two inclusions in pre-show promotions, a post-show registration list, and a Premium Map Your Show digital listing.
Conference-Wide Benefits ($25,000 to $39,999): Everything in Partner plus logo on the prominent Thank You to Our Conference-Wide Sponsors signs, logo on the Opening General Session slide shared with conference-wide sponsors, three inclusions in pre-show promotions, both pre-show and post-show registration lists, and a Premium Plus Map Your Show digital listing.
Custom Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsorship packages are available for companies seeking ultimate recognition. Contact your account executive for a personalized consultation.
Enquiry for Trade Show Booth
Our Exhibition Stand Design Portfolio In New Orleans, Louisiana.
At Interior Today we are offering flawless services for the exhibition and trade shows. We are working with brands and businesses of all sizes, designing and installing amazing stands. We believe in combining excellent design and superior project management to deliver high quality custom built exhibition stands. Just take a glance at some of our recent work given below.
Frequently Asked Questions About WEFTEC 2026
Q.1 When and where is WEFTEC 2026?
Ans.1 The conference runs September 26–30, 2026 and the exhibition runs September 28–30, 2026 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Q.2 What is WEFTEC?
Ans.2 WEFTEC — the Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference — is the world’s largest annual water quality event. It combines the water sector’s most respected technical education program with a massive exhibition floor showcasing water and wastewater technology, equipment, services, and solutions.
Q.3 Who should attend WEFTEC 2026?
Ans.3 Utility operators and managers, municipal and consulting engineers, water and wastewater treatment professionals, environmental scientists, operations and maintenance technicians, policy professionals, technology developers, and anyone working in or supplying to the water quality and water infrastructure sector.
Q.4 What are the WEFTEC 2026 booth space rates?
Ans.4 WEF members pay $45 per square foot for advance sales and $47 for general sales. Non-members pay $53 per square foot for advance sales and $55 for general sales. Corner booths are an additional $250 per corner, waived for booths of 1,600 square feet or larger.
Q.5 What is included with a WEFTEC 2026 booth?
Ans.5 Your booth includes a digital listing on WEFTEC.org, access to registration data, access to keynote and technical sessions, free Feather promotional materials, standard back drape and side dividers, a company ID sign for booths of 300 square feet or smaller, four badges per 100 square feet of contracted space, and access to exhibitor training programs and free online proceedings.
Q.6 What is the WEFTEC booth payment schedule?
Ans.6 Advance Sales: 50% deposit due January 31, 2026. General Sales: 50% deposit due with application. Full payment is due April 30, 2026.
Q.7 What is the WEFTEC booth cancellation policy?
Ans.7 Cancellations before January 31, 2026 receive a full refund. Cancellations between February 1 and April 30, 2026 incur a 50% cancellation fee. Cancellations after April 30, 2026 incur a 100% cancellation fee. All cancellations must be submitted in writing to WEFTECSales@wef.org.
Q.8 What Specialty Pavilions are available at WEFTEC 2026?
Q.8 WEFTEC 2026 features the Advanced Technology Solutions Pavilion (drones, AI, cybersecurity, VR, automation), the Circular Water Economy Pavilion (waste reduction, resource recovery, nature-based solutions, corporate water stewardship), the Innovation Pavilion (featuring BlueTech Research and Imagine H2O), the New Exhibitor Pavilion, and the brand new Workforce Hub.
Q.9 What is the new Workforce Hub at WEFTEC 2026?
Q.10 The Workforce Hub is a new feature on the 2026 exhibit floor dedicated to utility operations, maintenance, and technician professionals. It offers short-format programming, live demonstrations, and interactive learning to enhance field skills and support the next generation of utility staff.
Q.10 What are the new sponsorship activations at WEFTEC 2026?
Ans.10 New for 2026: Hosted Press Product Launch ($40,000, 5 available), Company Showcase Breakfast ($13,000, 5 available), Satellite Badge Pick-up Sponsor ($22,500 exclusive), WIFI Lounge Sponsor (from $10,000), Technical Session Room Sponsor ($30,000 exclusive), Official Pen Sponsor ($7,000 exclusive), Reboot Lounge (exclusive, call for pricing), and Photo Moment / Custom Activation (call for pricing).
Q.11 What is the WEFTEC Operations Challenge?
Ans.11 The WEF Operations Challenge showcases the skills of the best wastewater collection and treatment personnel in the world across five events: Collection Systems, Laboratory, Process Control, Maintenance, and Safety. Sponsorship levels range from Partner ($16,000) to Supporter ($10,500).
Q.12 What is the WEF InFLOW program?
Ans.12 WEF InFLOW (Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water) is a professional development scholarship program for emerging water sector talent. Sponsorship options include Game Changer ($13,000), Supporting Sponsor ($7,500), and Scholarship Sponsor ($3,800).
Q.13 What trolley service is available at WEFTEC 2026?
Ans.13 The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a mile long. Trolleys run continuously throughout the exhibition hall during show hours. New in 2026, trolleys loop between the main aisle and secondary aisle with pickup and drop-off at every trolley stop — ensuring attendees can reach the full exhibit floor. Trolley Signage sponsorships and Trolley Stop sponsorships are available.
Q.14 How do I build a custom booth for WEFTEC 2026?
Ans.14 Contact Interior Today LLC. We specialize in designing and building custom trade show booths for exhibitors at major water industry and environmental technology events including WEFTEC. We manage everything from the design concept through full installation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Reach out early — advance sales close January 31, 2026, and quality booth builds require lead time.
Build Your WEFTEC 2026 Booth with Interior Today LLC
This is where Interior Today LLC becomes your most important partner for New Orleans.
We design and build custom trade show booths and exhibition stands for companies exhibiting at major water, environmental, and technical industry events — and we understand what it takes to create an exhibit presence that earns attention in an environment as technically rigorous and commercially competitive as WEFTEC.
At WEFTEC 2026, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is a mile long. Trolleys shuttle attendees across the floor. Thousands of water professionals walk the exhibition with specific questions, specific budgets, and specific technology needs. Your booth is their first impression of your company — and it has to work hard from the moment the doors open on September 28.
Interior Today LLC builds booths that work.
What we bring to your WEFTEC 2026 exhibit:
We design around your water sector story. Whether you are showcasing water treatment technology, advanced instrumentation, pump and valve systems, software and digital solutions, environmental engineering services, filtration technology, biosolids equipment, stormwater management products, or any other offering for the water sector, we build your stand around what you need water and wastewater professionals to understand and remember about your company.
We handle the complete build from design concept through full installation at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Your team arrives in New Orleans ready to demonstrate products, meet prospects, and have the conversations that matter — not managing setup logistics.
We design for the WEFTEC environment. The water sector audience is technically trained, practically focused, and responds to clear product presentation and professional booth design that communicates reliability and capability. Flashy for its own sake does not work here. Substance, clarity, and quality do. That is exactly what we build.
We work within your timeline and your budget. Whether this is your first WEFTEC or you are a returning exhibitor ready to make a significantly stronger statement in New Orleans, Interior Today LLC has the solutions and experience to deliver.
Contact Interior Today LLC today to start planning your WEFTEC 2026 booth. Advance sales pricing ends January 31, 2026 — and our build schedule fills well before September. The sooner you engage with us, the better your booth, the better your location options, and the better your results on the floor.
Final Thoughts
WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans is the most important annual gathering for the global water quality and water technology sector. Three days of exhibition, five days of the water industry’s most respected technical education program, and a show floor that stretches a mile — it is where the entire water sector value chain comes together to solve the most pressing challenges facing water infrastructure today and tomorrow.
Whether you are a utility operator looking for the next generation of treatment technology, an engineering firm evaluating service providers, a startup ready to put an emergent water solution in front of the right audience, or an established supplier seeking to deepen relationships and expand market presence — WEFTEC 2026 is where you need to be in September.
And when you are ready to show up in New Orleans with a booth that genuinely represents the quality and capability of your company, Interior Today LLC is ready to build it.
Let us create something exceptional together for New Orleans 2026.
Interior Today LLC is a professional trade show booth builder serving exhibitors at major industry events and technical conferences across the United States. Contact us today to begin planning your WEFTEC 2026 exhibit stand.
