Water security and climate resilience are driving investment and operational change worldwide. Against that backdrop, Glasgow hosts the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 from 4 to 8 October bringing together professionals across the full water cycle.
Practical details for attendees
The Congress takes place at the Scottish Event Campus SEC in Glasgow. Key components include an integrated trade exhibition, technical tours and a Cultural Evening at Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum available as a paid add-on. Registration, travel and accommodation guidance are provided through the official channels on the event site.
Technical tours showcase local water supply systems and wastewater treatment innovations. The exhibition offers space for technology demonstrations, project showcases and sponsor activations.
Programme highlights and speakers
The technical programme features presentations, posters and sessions selected by a global committee. Keynote speakers listed for the Congress include Katherine Richardson from the University of Copenhagen, Cees Buisman of Wetsus, Sir Jon Cunliffe, Paula Kehoe, Gang Liu, Prabhu Chandrasekeran and Meg Cummins. The agenda also includes the IWA Project Innovation Awards, which highlight applied examples from research to scale-up.
Sector profile and exhibitor focus
Participants range from utility executives and academics to technology providers, consultancies, government and NGO representatives. The exhibition concentrates on water supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment and climate-adaptive infrastructure, with cross‑sector engagement from agriculture, urban planning and ICT.
Practical tips for B2B prospecting
Set clear targets by sector and role before attending. Use the Congress registration platform to arrange meetings and map exhibitor stands that match your offer. Prepare concise technical materials and focused demos that address operational outcomes and total cost of ownership. Attend relevant plenaries and join technical tours to gather local case studies and validation points.
If your organisation works on demonstrable innovations, consider applying for or engaging with the Project Innovation Awards to increase visibility during the event.
Closing note and link
IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 is an operationally focused forum to compare technical solutions and discuss resilience strategies across the water sector. Plan meetings around the programme and technical tours and consult the full programme guide on the official site at https://worldwatercongress.org/ to prioritise sessions and exhibitors aligned with your objectives.
Registration and tickets on the official website: worldwatercongress.org
