Welcome to WEFMAX in Bend, Oregon! Registration is complimentary for all attendees. Guests are welcome to attend the Wednesday and Thursday evening socials at a fee of $100 USD per guest. You will be able to pay for your guest when you register for WEFMAX.
WEFMAX Theme: Channeling the Undercurrents: Bringing Energy to the Surface.
Rebounding from a COVID-era drop in engagement, an urgent industry-wide need for people to join the water workforce, and a demographic shift in the workforce, empowering underrepresented groups is leading to more sustained and meaningful engagement.
WEFMAX Schedule
Wednesday, May 27 –
MA Staff Meeting
- Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
- Arrival: MA Staff should plan to arrive on Wednesday morning.
Evening Icebreaker
- Arrival: All other attendees should plan to arrive by 4:00 PM to participate in the icebreaker.
Thursday, May 28 –
- Optional Fun Walk/Run
Time: 6:15 AM
Breakfast
- Time: 7:30 AM
WEFMAX Meeting
- Start: 8:00 AM
Adjourn: Around 5:00 PM
Meals: Breakfast and lunch provided
Evening Social Event
- Activity: Hosted by PNCWA
- Guests: Invited to Wednesday and Thursday socials
- Guest Fee: $100 USD (payable during WEFMAX registration)
- Note: Registration system can only process payment for one guest.
Friday, May 29 –
Light Breakfast
- Time: 7:30 AM
- Join your fellow MA Leaders for a light breakfast before the meeting.
WEFMAX Meeting
- Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Noon)
Hotel Reservations
Riverhouse Lodge
3075 N. Business 97 | Bend, OR 97703
Hotel Reservations: PH: 1.541.389.3111 | Reference group name: PNCWA
The Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association has blocked a limited number of hotel rooms at the Riverhouse Lodge with a special standard guest room rate of $214 (inclusive of resort fee) plus applicable taxes per night (Wednesday – Thursday) in effect at the time of check-in. Attendees are responsible for making their own reservations by contacting the hotel directly. Please reference group name “PNCWA” when making your reservation in the room block.
This rate is only available when reservations are made through April 26, 2026. The Hotel will honor the room block rate 3 days pre/post the event based on room availability.
Your reservation must be guaranteed with a major credit card. In order to avoid a cancellation fee of one-night room plus applicable tax for an individual reservation, the hotel must receive notification of cancellation. Please check your reservation for cancellation details. Credit identification will be required from each individual at check-in. The room rate will be charged to the individual’s account. All bed type requests (standard double or king size bed) will be honored on a space available basis.
Rooms have been blocked from Wednesday, May 27 through Thursday, May 29. Check-In time is 4:00 pm | Check-Out time is 11:00 am.
Parking
Self-parking on-site at the hotel is complimentary.
Airport
Redmond Municipal Airport, in Redmond, Oregon is the closest airport. The hotel is about 20 minutes from the Redmond Municipal Airport. Rent a car, coordinate a ride share with other attendees or taking an Uber, Lyft, taxi, or shuttle would be the best options.
Alternatively, if you would like to see more of beautiful Oregon State, the Riverhouse Lodge is approximately a 3-hour drive from the Portland International Airport in Portland, Oregon.
QUESTIONS: Contact WEFMAX Coordinators:
WEF Staff: Kelsey Hurst | khurst@wef.org
Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association Host Coordinator:
Marie Schmidt | Emails: Marie@aminc.org
Joe Kernkamp | Email: jkernkamp@hydrotek.net
Candice Au-Yeung | Email: cauyeung@everettwa.gov
