AEA’s 2026 Fall Conference is just around the corner, taking place Monday and Tuesday, November 16–17, at Caesars in Atlantic City. This year’s conference continues AEA’s tradition of providing informative presentations on the issues shaping New Jersey’s environmental authorities while offering valuable networking opportunities with colleagues from across the state.
The conference begins Monday afternoon with a welcome from AEA President Brian Brach, followed by a keynote address from New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Ed Potosnak. Commissioner Potosnak, appointed by Governor Mikie Sherrill in January 2026, leads the DEP’s efforts to protect New Jersey’s environment while supporting economic growth. Prior to joining the Department, he served for 14 years as Executive Director of the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and has been a leader on issues including open space preservation, PFAS, lead in drinking water, and environmental policy. The evening concludes with EPDA Certificate presentations and AEA’s annual networking reception.
Tuesday’s program begins with AEA’s Annual Business Meeting before exploring the organization’s history and evolution. Throughout the day, attendees will hear presentations examining how the environmental industry has changed and where it is headed.
Morning sessions include a look at how safety practices have evolved throughout New Jersey’s water utilities, followed by a discussion of the state’s leadership in addressing PFAS contamination and protecting drinking water. Another will examine lithium-ion battery safety and best practices for protecting solid waste, drinking water, and wastewater utilities.
Following lunch, attendees will learn practical strategies for pursuing congressional funding opportunities before participating in a discussion on artificial intelligence in water operations. Industry experts David Lynch, CEO and Co-founder of Klir, and veteran water utility leader Jeff Mosher will separate the promise of AI from the hype by examining where the technology is delivering measurable value for utilities today.
The conference concludes with The Hidden Profit of a Multi-Generational Workforce: Strengthening the Human Infrastructure Behind Every Environmental Authority, presented by Krishna Powell. Powell, founder and CEO of HR 4 Your Small Biz, has nearly 30 years of experience helping organizations recruit, retain, and lead multigenerational workforces.
As always, the conference offers attendees an opportunity to learn from respected experts, stay current on emerging issues affecting environmental authorities, and exchange ideas with peers from throughout New Jersey.
Be sure to stay through the closing session for AEA’s annual door prize drawings.
For more information and to stay up to date on registration details, agenda changes, and more, visit aeanj.org.
AEA is seeking proposals for presentations for AEA training programs, workshops, and conferences. Submissions are primarily used to create programs for the fall and spring conferences in Atlantic City but may be selected for other education activities such as the Environmental Professional Development Academy or special one-day and half-day workshops. It should also be noted that due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemicand associated restrictions at this time, we are also evaluating the necessity of holding a series of shorter topic-specific webinars in the fall, in lieu of the fall 2020 or spring 2021 meeting.
The AEA annual meeting and conference will feature keynote speaker Chuck Underwood, an expert in the sociology of generations, as well as other programs, panels and speakers –plus opportunities to make valuable connections and earn water, wastewater and engineering credits.