Share your experiences by submitting an abstract for a paper or poster to be part of the WIOA program
Abstracts are open to all industry professionals involved in the operation, maintenance, and management of water-related infrastructure across urban, rural, and industrial sectors.
Interested in presenting?
Presenting at WIOA’s conference is an excellent opportunity to:
Contribute to Industry Knowledge
Help advance the water sector by sharing insights and best practices.
Expand Your Network
Connect with industry peers, potential collaborators, and decision-makers.
Increase Your Profile
Share your expertise and raise your visibility in the industry.
Gain Public Speaking Experience
Presenting in a professional yet supportive environment helps build confidence.
What We’re Looking For
- New or Innovative Technologies
- Water Resource Management
- Wastewater and Trade Waste Treatment
- Biosolids & Reclaimed Water Reuse
- Automation and Process Control
- Algae Control in Water/Wastewater
- Asset Management & Operations
- Workplace Safety & OHS Issues
- Improving Efficiency
Important information
Abstracts
How to Submit Your Abstract
Prepare a 200-300 word abstract (Microsoft Word format). Include the following details:
- Abstract title
- Your name, position & employer
- Contact details (email, phone, postal address)
- Permission for WIOA to publish your abstract online
You can then submit your abstract through the presenter portal linked below by creating a new account and submitting your details.
Presenter Requirements & Submission Guidelines
- Speaker Profile & Photo
- Submit a speaker bio (name, position, employer, qualifications, experience, and presentation title).
- Provide a recent photo for use in the conference mobile app.
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Must be submitted no later than the week before the conference.
- WIOA requests permission to publish presentations in the app.
- Presentation Guidelines
- Time limit: 15 minutes + 5 minutes for Q&A.
- Strictly enforced time limits by session chairpersons.
- Presenters must register as paying delegates and are encouraged to attend the full conference.
- Best Paper Award presented to the top-rated speaker working in water operations
Technical Paper
If your abstract is successful you will be required to prepare a technical paper that will be printed and distributed to attendees in the conference manuscript.
Please ensure the timelines are met as the printing of the manuscript has a allocated time frame that needs to be met.
Structure
Your paper should be no longer than 6 pages in total, including all graphs, charts, photos and tables. The font to be used is Times New Roman at 12 point in size. The margins and spacing between rows should not be changed from the template provided.
The technical paper should include:
- Title (10 word maximum)
- Author name, position and employer (include co-authors if more than 1 author)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
- References
Posters
- Speaker Profile & Photo
- Submit a speaker bio (name, position, employer, qualifications, experience, and presentation title).
- Provide a recent photo for use in the conference app.
- Poster Abstract Submission
- Submit a 300-word abstract outlining the key points, processes, or outcomes of the poster.
- WIOA will request permission to publish the abstract and poster in the conference app and on the website.
- Poster Paper Submission
- Submit an electronic copy of the final poster (PowerPoint or PDF format) via the submission link
- Posters should:
- Summarise research, trials, or operational activities.
- Include objectives, methods, results, and conclusions.
- Be A0 size (841 x 1189mm) and easily readable from 2 metres.
- Contain photos, charts, and minimal text to clearly convey the message.
- Feature a title block with the author’s name, organisation (including logo, if required), and contact details.
- Poster Delivery & Collection
- Delivery: Printed, colour-laminated posters must be placed in the poster area at the venue as early as possible on day one of the conference.
- Collection: Posters must be picked up between at the end of the conference
- Uncollected posters after 5:00pm will be disposed of by WIOA.
- Operator Prizes & Attendance
- All poster presenters must register as full fee-paying delegates and are encouraged to attend the full conference.
- Operators are eligible for the Best Poster by an Operator Award, which includes an all-expenses-paid trip to attend an interstate WIOA conference.
2025 Cut off Dates
Victoria
Submission of Abstracts due
February 21st, 2025
Papers and posters due
February 28th, 2025
New South Wales
Submission of Abstracts due
May 6th, 2025
Papers and posters due
June 10th, 2025
Queensland
Submission of Abstracts due
August 5th, 2025
Papers and posters due
September 3rd, 2025
Past papers
WIOA conference papers are a great resource for anyone working in operational roles in the water industry. Authorised technical papers presented at recent WIOA conferences can be accessed here.