Membership
Organized within nine regions, APWA's 29,000 members comprise 64 chapters and 99 branches, serving virtually every community, state, province and region in North America. The association is a highly participatory organization with hundreds of opportunities for leadership and service, as well as several dozen national committees in every area of public works, and a network of public works professionals. Governed by a 17-member board of directors, elected at both the regional and national levels, APWA is an open, flexible association with diversified membership and a reputation for quality services and products.

Professional Development
With a wealth of management and technical resources, APWA offers extensive professional development offerings. Through timely publications and videos, workshops, interactive Click Listen & Learn web conferences, training, chapter programs such as the Public Works Institute, and national meetings, APWA keeps public works professionals up-to-date on trends and emerging issues. The Public Works Institute is a chapter-based learning model designed to address supervisory and management needs through 10 core areas of study, ranging from basic management skills to fundamentals of government. APWA's nationally sponsored educational programs provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs) for time spent in the classroom during professional development and training activities.

Center for Sustainability
The new APWA Center for Sustainability was created by the Board of Directors to address sustainability challenges in public works organizations across the United States and Canada. Guided by a 12-member Leadership Committee, the Center supports the integration of sustainability in all aspects of APWA as an organization, and in public works management and services. The Leadership Committee reviews APWA programs and initiatives in relation to the overall goal for sustainable public works operations.

Accreditation and Certification
The APWA Accreditation program was developed to recognize excellence in the operation and management of a public works agency by meeting over 540 management practices. The first awards were made in 1997 and the program continues to grow with 55 agencies accredited. APWA's certification program provides a strong benefit to the public works industry and ultimately to their communities by providing recognized hiring and promotion standards that lead to an improved workforce and improved delivery of services.

APWA Reporter
The award-winning APWA Reporter serves as the prime communication link uniting the community of public works professionals who make up the association. Most articles are written by member- experts on subjects ranging from emergency management and water resources to transportation, fleet services and winter maintenance. The articles contain information on management techniques, research, training programs and new technology.

Events

APWA International Public Works Congress and Exposition
Billed as the "Best Show in Public Works" APWA's annual International Public Works Congress and Exposition brings together the newest public works products, emerging trends and best practices through a series of cutting-edge educational sessions and speakers, and the world's largest public works exhibition floor. More than 5,000 APWA members and industry professionals attend the meeting, which is held in a different North American city every year.

APWA North American Snow Conference
Each spring more than 1,000 participants attend APWA's North American Snow Conference, the premiere winter maintenance conference for professionals dealing with snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain and unpredictable weather patterns and storm systems. The conference highlights the latest innovations, successful practices and strategies in winter operations through expert speakers, educational sessions and technical tours. APWA features heavy equipment on the Snow Conference exhibit floor, and also includes new technology and services tailored to snow and ice management and winter operations.

Advocacy
APWA empowers public works professionals to be the voice for adequate investment in public infrastructure among local, state and federal policymakers. APWA's Government Affairs Committee and other member advocates create partnerships with key stakeholders, establish new lines of communication with decision makers and extend outreach into the center of public policy discussions. Working in the public interest, APWA members bring their experience, expertise and unique perspective to policy debates that impact public works and our communities.

For More Information:
For press inquiries, contact:

Laura Bynum, Communications/Media Affairs Manager
American Public Works Association
1401 K St. NW 11th Floor
Washington, DC 20005 

lbynum@apwa.net 
(202) 218-6736 - phone
(202) 218-6737 - fax