San Diego is a major city in Southern California and is one of America’s most popular tourist destinations. San Diego is famous for beautiful beaches, great weather, tasty brewery scene, and countless outdoor activities. If you’ve been to one of our events before you know that you are in for a unique and gratifying experience. I admit, I’m biased, since I also help to plan and coordinate our National Watershed and Stormwater Conference but that’s why I want to share my top five reasons to join us in America’s ‘Finest City’ for one of the best conferences in this industry.

  1. Content. First and foremost, we have the best sessions, period. Too many conferences leave attendees feeling like they have spent hours listening to commercials for products or services. Not ours! We pride ourselves in handpicking speakers and abstracts that matter in today’s world. Our conference will give water professionals a firm grasp of tangible solutions and best practices to apply based on detailed examples from case studies. (Agenda)
  2. Field trips. Whether you want to join us for a technical tour that will is focused on the San Diego area and efforts to protect and preserve natural resources or join us in a kayak ride takes you along the La Jolla Sea Caves, we have a field trip for everyone. Each of them will give you a chance to explore the city of San Diego more in depth. (Register here)
  3. Workshops. Want to earn even more Professional Development Hours? What better way than by getting hands on experience. This year our staff is leading an IDDE workshop where participants will go home with new tools for detection and elimination. Or you can join Greg Hoffmann’s BMP workshop and learn about the life cycle of a stormwater Best Management Practice (BMP) through conceptual planning, design, construction, inspection, and maintenance. (Register here)
  4. Work Hard, Play Hard. One of the most unique parts of our conference is the number of extra activities we provide to keep you entertained. There’s no need to worry about traveling alone or not having plans in your downtime. We have daily evening activities planned to help you unwind. Join our brewery tour, or join us for gelato in Little Italy, or maybe catch a drink with us at a rooftop bar happy hour to discuss biochar, unless you prefer to unwind at a relaxing yoga class. We strive to make our conference fun, while making connections that will help you professionally.
  5. Location. There’s so much to do in this city! Especially in the downtown Gaslamp area where we’ll be staying. We have some fun plans within walking distance including a downtown morning run and a Little Italy visit. But again, there is so much to do and see. Go up north and check out the famous seals in the seaside neighborhood of La Jolla. Or go to Balboa Park that is full of history, art, gardens and is also home to America’s best zoo. And if you enjoy history, then visit the oldest neighborhood in San Diego, Old Town, which is the location of the first European settlement in California. You’re also a short car ride away from Coronado Island, that provides a beach town feel with shops and restaurants along the beach, including Hotel del Coronado. If you have time and feel adventurous, you’re also located less than 2 hours from Los Angeles! Or you could go south to Tijuana, Mexico!

We will be there for a week so make sure you leave time to visit the San Diego Padre stadium, Petco Park, eat a California Burrito from Lolita’s, and extend your stay to catch a San Diego Wave soccer game. Hopefully after coming to our conference, you will see the beauty of San Diego and join us in Kansas City for 2024!

Register for the 2023 Conference here

Marlyn Argueta

A born and raised Marylander, Marlyn joined the Center in 2017. He graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a bachelor’s degree in history and an associate’s degree in business administration. After hours, you can find him at a DC United soccer game or coaching the South River High School soccer team. His passion for soccer and helping the community propelled him to be a finalist in the 2015 Major League Soccer Community MVP Award. He was also recently named the 2022 Capital Gazette Soccer Coach of the Year.