In 2026, Colorado Springs, Colo. will provide the setting for the next International Aquatics & Water Safety Conference and Exposition, which features a special session from Aquatics International.
Organized jointly by the Association of Aquatic Professionals and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, the event takes place Feb. 14-21 at The Broadmoor. The main conference is set for Feb. 16-19. Preconference sessions will be presented Feb. 14 and 15, with post-conference programs running Feb. 19-21.
The main conference opens with a keynote address by Brandon Smith called “The Author vs. Editor Dilemma: The Leadership Secret to Unlocking Your Team, Your Time and Your Impact.” The communications expert, executive coach educator, media personality and author will share techniques from his bestselling , The Author vs. Editor Dilemma, and explain how to work on the business rather than in the business, and other aspects of becoming a leader. He also will share tips for elevating performance and holding team members accountable.
On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Aquatics Intl. (AQI) will hold its annual award recognition at a general session titled, “Conversations with a Game Changer and Aquatics International Award Winners.” It will feature an interview with Paulana Lamonier, a freelance journalist, social media strategist, and founder of Black People Will Swim. The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Lamonier will share her story, talk about what motivated her to change affect change, discuss how she maintains her passion and shares it with her team, and provide tips.
Awards will be presented to organizations and individuals who were featured in AQI‘s special Power Issue and Best of Aquatics issue, as well as to the AOAP Competitor Aquatic Professionals of the Month and AOAP Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
The endnote address will take place the morning of Feb. 19 and feature Pat Henneberry, an author, speaker, swimmer and coach. She will share her passion for water and outline her journey from competitive swimmer, charity open water swimmer and Special Olympics swim coach to an advocate. The motivational talk will draw on her personal experience of overcoming health challenges and background working in the diamond industry, to explore the importance of showing up for life, and how resilience is built through adversity.
