Chicago to Host More Than 5,000 Public Works Professionals for Learning, Networking, and Planning for a more Resilient Tomorrow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KANSAS CITY, MO—More than 5,000 public works professionals from North America will converge on McCormick Place® – Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois, August 17–20, 2025, for the American Public Works Association’s Public Works Expo (PWX). This year’s program is set to provide world-class education sessions on the most critical challenges in public works and infrastructure from the public and private sectors, including emergency preparedness, such as how to quickly respond to natural disasters like flooding and wildfires, new strategies in funding and budgeting, career development and workforce solutions, asset management, emerging technologies, stormwater and wastewater, sustainable practices, and planning for livable communities.

“PWX is like a rejuvenating family reunion for public works professionals. We work hard to make PWX the place where creative, inspiring people come together to share knowledge and swap stories with each other,” said APWA President Dominick A. Longobardi. “Throughout the four days of PWX, attendees will explore the latest product and service innovations, hear about how others are addressing workforce and aging infrastructure challenges, make meaningful connections to others who do what they do, and discover new, better ways to advance quality of life for all.”

Highlights of this year’s PWX program include:

• Attendees will have the opportunity to visit one-on-one with representatives from nearly 400 exhibiting companies across approximately 250,000 square feet of exhibit hall space on August 17, 18, and 19. This year’s sold-out exhibit floor will be the largest in nearly two decades.
• As part of APWA’s Proud to Care Initiative, attendees will have the opportunity to give back to the local community by donating blood to Versiti Blood Center of Illinois during the 18th Annual Blood Drive on August 17, 18, and 19. They may also donate to the Greater Chicago Food Depository in support of the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter’s food drive.
• Attendees may choose from more than 150 education sessions, seminars, and workshops, presented in several different formats, encompassing a variety of public works topics, from using artificial intelligence to thinking differently about hiring to managing through large-scale weather events.
• General sessions on August 17, 19, and 20 will feature three inspiring storytellers, Dr. Bertice Berry, Keelan Leyser, and Dr. Jody Carrington. Each will explore timely topics that will resonate with attendees at all levels, including identifying your unique purpose, reimagining the impossible, and exploring why showing up for your team is a game-changer.

“Public works professionals are first responders, which means they have to be ready at a moment’s notice,” said APWA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Scott D. Grayson, CAE. “With the increase and intensity of natural disasters, knowing the latest in response techniques, as well as learning the latest tools to manage day-to-day community needs, is imperative. That’s why we’ve packed so many ways to learn, network, and connect with peers into this year’s PWX schedule. We want to send our attendees back to their agencies empowered, inspired, and proud of the work they do.”

Media members are invited to attend PWX. To schedule interviews or arrange for press credentials, please contact Jared Shilhanek, APWA Chief Growth Officer, at jshilhanek@apwa.org or by phone at (816) 595-5257. To request high-resolution event photos, please email media@apwa.org.

To learn more about PWX, visit the conference webpage.