Events

This event is brought to you by the VA AWWA | VWEA Technology Services Committee. There is no cost, and you don't need to register.  For Zoom connection information, please email Cynthia.Barnes@VaAWWA.org

We encourage you to submit an abstract and participate in discussions that are important to the advancement of our laboratory professionals.  Conference topics may include but are not limited to the following: 

• Analytical Instrument Troubleshooting in the Laboratory
• Automation in Sample Preparation
• Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs)
• Corrective Action Ideas and Suggestions
• Data Reporting for Customers
• Emerging Instrumental Technology
• Excel Utility for Streamlining Laboratory Operations
• Impact and Use of Data When Making Decisions
• Laboratory Ethics
• Laboratory Management
• Laboratory Practices
• LIMS, Laboratory software Applications
• Maximizing Instrument Uptime
• Optimizing Workflows and Reducing Costs
• QA/QC Issues
• Quality Control and Validation Best Practices
• Reagent Tracking Systems
• Regulatory Issues
• Security Issues
• Sustainability Practices in Laboratory Operations
• TNI Chemistry Committee Updates
• Training Programs in the Laboratory 

Abstract and Paper submissions for technical presentation:

Submit a 300 word or less abstract that lists the title, author(s), affiliation, phone number, and email address.  Morning session presentations are 40 minutes. Afternoon technical session presentations are 25 minutes with five minute Q&A.  

Workshop Proposal submission:

Submit a one page workshop outline that includes information on the subject matter and name(s), affiliation, email address, and phone number of workshop instructors.  Workshops are three hour sessions.

Traditional Voice of Customer (VOC) data analysis methods are labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring hundreds of hours for qualitative analysis.

This discussion introduces an AI-powered workflow based on commercially available large language models that automates the most laborious steps of VOC qualitative data analysis, reducing processing time from hundreds of hours to minutes while maintaining acceptable accuracy and improving consistency. The proposed workflow leverages the generic GPT-4o-Mini model to process and prepare transcript data, identify customer need statements, and organize these statements into a hierarchical structure for further quantitative analysis. The workflow includes stages such as transcript preparation, chunking text for analysis, identifying and scoring needs, and clustering needs into prioritized categories. Evaluation results demonstrate a significant reduction in time and effort, with the AI workflow achieving a 99% reduction in analysis time compared to traditional methods with sufficient specificity of customer need if the chunk sizes are adequately small. Furthermore, the results help to overcome several typical cognitive and motivational biases of the analysts. The findings highlight the potential of AI to enhance the efficiency and consistency of VOC analysis, providing valuable insights for product development and customer satisfaction improvement.

While the discussion will mainly be presentation and Q&A, we will try to open it up in general for lessons learned in using AI for qualitative analysis of documents. At the end, and if there is time, we will discuss the current work building on these lessons-learned. We have set up AI workflows on generic LLMs for semi-automating threat modeling to develop security requirements for custom systems.

InFLOW stands for Introducing Future Leaders to Opportunities in Water. It was conceived by the Water Environment Federation (WEF) to introduce promising students from underrepresented groups to careers in the water industry.

Students are introduced to the water industry through virtual and in-person programming.   The program will include a workshop with the following goals:

• Equip students with essential personal branding skills to confidently navigate the professional setting.  
• Provide practical tools for networking, resume building, and professional communication.
• Help students articulate their value and career aspirations effectively.

The program allows students to attend the VWEA & VA AWWA Joint Annual Meeting (WaterJAM) at no cost—travel, lodging, conference registration fees, and meals are covered. While at WaterJAM, participants will have the opportunity to have small and meaningful conversations with program supporters, mentors, and future employers, as well as learn more about the water industry by attending technical sessions and touring the exhibit hall.  

InFLOW invites Sophomore and Junior students that represent historically underrepresented ethnic and racial groups and attend a Virginia college or university to experience WaterJAM with the following goals:

• Attend technical sessions and visit conference exhibitors;
• Participate in social and young professional events;
• Network with professionals involved in various areas of the water industry;
• Solidify interest in working in the water sector

Each InFLOW participant will be provided with a 3-day agenda specifically designed to provide students with a well-rounded experience at WaterJAM! We ask that participants attend an online orientation prior to the conference and participate in a post-event conference call and survey. 

What’s Included for InFLOW Students at WaterJAM:

• Travel To/From the Conference
• Hotel Accommodations for up to two nights during conference week
• Conference Registration – Entrance to Technical Sessions and Exhibit Hall
• All Meals, Banquets, and Networking Receptions at the Conference

Congratulations to Duc Tran for being awarded the ACE Scholarship!  There is still time to apply for the WEFTEC Scholarship.  See details below.