As the CEO of a sales intelligence company rooted in the water infrastructure sector, attending the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE) is more than just a professional obligation; it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow. ACE23 marked my tenth attendance at this remarkable event, and it brought back vivid memories of where it all began and how far we’ve come. This year, I had the pleasure of attending with members of our sales team, customer success team, and data operations team, all with the common goal of strengthening our connections with our customers.

A Decade of ACE Conferences

Before delving into the highlights of ACE23, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on my journey with AWWA and ACE. My first-ever ACE experience was at ACE12 in Dallas. Little did I know that this conference would be the catalyst for the inception of WatrHub and, subsequently, Citylitics.

Back in 2012, WatrHub was nothing more than an idea, a vision that was sparked after engaging in countless conversations with industry professionals in the water infrastructure market at ACE12. Our team consisted of just three individuals at the time. It was at this very conference that we secured our first customer, a milestone that would set the stage for our incredible journey. Today, our team has grown to 45 employees, over 100 customers, and thousands of sales professionals actively using the Citylitics platform for all their sales intelligence and lead generation needs. 

WatrHub evolved into Citylitics as we expanded beyond the water industry into transportation and municipal broadband. The last three years have been a whirlwind of growth and innovation as we adapted our platform to cater to the changing needs of our expanding customer base. ACE23 was an excellent opportunity to showcase our evolution and reaffirm our commitment to our customers.

At ACE23, we had the privilege of meeting with 75 existing and prospective customers. These interactions served as a powerful reminder of the impact Citylitics has had on the industry. It was humbling to see how our platform has become an integral part of our customers’ sales operations, helping them make informed decisions and driving success in pursuing future infrastructure projects.

Optimism in the Industry

One of the most energizing aspects of ACE23 was the palpable optimism radiating throughout the industry. The water infrastructure sector is on the brink of a long awaited growth and innovation, and it’s incredibly encouraging to witness the enthusiasm and drive that industry professionals bring to the table. It reaffirms our belief in the importance of the work we do at Citylitics.

At the heart of Citylitics’ mission is to provide the best possible predictive and tactical sales intelligence to our customers. We help our customers connect with the right utilities at the right time and with the right context, ultimately advancing the industry and fueling successful infrastructure projects. 

Throughout ACE23, a recurring theme emerged: success stories stemming from projects initiated through the Citylitics platform. It was incredibly rewarding to hear and track numerous examples of infrastructure projects that had their origins in our predictive analytics and data-driven insights. Knowing that we are contributing to the growth and betterment of the industry is a source of immense pride for our team.

As the conference came to a close, I couldn’t help but think about the next time ACE visits Toronto in 2029. The energy and enthusiasm of ACE23 would undoubtedly be amplified in our beautiful city, and it would be an excellent opportunity for the water infrastructure community to explore all that Toronto has to offer.

I’d like to extend my gratitude to all the customers, partners, and industry professionals who made ACE23 such a memorable event. Your passion, dedication, and optimism inspire us to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of infrastructure.

Thank you for being a part of our journey, and I look forward to what the future holds for us all.