Conferences & Events

Every year the NALMS membership gets together for a collection of professional presentations, general workshops and non-stop discussions on managing lakes and reservoirs. Vendors are present with the latest lake management tools displayed. The lion’s share of NALMS networking occurs at this conference and life-long friendships are forged.

NALMS' 2001 International Symposium
October 26 - 28, 2011 • Spokane, Washington

Diverse and Sustainable Lake Management

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As lake management issues continue to affect a wide range of stakeholders with their own unique concerns, it is increasingly important to gather key figures within those communities to openly discuss those issues to better understand how the interests of others may be affected by their own interests. Scientific and environmental minds will offer a variety of relevant topical subject matter to be covered in breakout educational sessions, and networking opportunities will allow for collaboration with lake property association members and other interested parties. While information is now available to us from many sources, the spirit of the Symposium allows for important interactions to occur between those from scientific, environmental, recreational, residential, governmental, and other communities to discuss issues important and relevant to all concerned with water management issues. The Spokane Convention Center, situated on the banks of the Spokane River, offers the perfect venue for these interactions and educational opportunities to occur.

Spokane is a recreational Mecca, with 76 lakes within one hour of the city. Furthermore, the lifeblood of Spokane is the gorgeous Spokane River, which flows through Spokane Valley, and eventually through downtown Spokane, creating a unique environment where a lively, urban setting meets the tranquility and beauty of the river in 100-acre Riverfront Park. The Spokane River Falls have been a gathering place for Native Americans for centuries, and today this area is at the core of a renaissance in downtown Spokane. The tag line for Spokane is: “Spokane…Near Nature. Near Perfect.”. It is appropriate that The Lilac City be considered as the backdrop for the NALMS Annual Symposium, marrying the similar missions of WALPA and NALMS, with a city which is truly in tune with its natural surroundings. WALPA has held successful Washington State Annual Meetings in Spokane several times in the past, most recently in 2009. Spokane has a proven track record with hosting conferences and conventions, on a state, regional, and national scale. Spokane is a family friendly city, with a myriad of exciting activities for young and old alike. In the downtown core, there are dozens and dozens of local restaurants, bistros, pubs, martini and wine bars, book stores, wineries, and retail shopping. River Park Square is an urban shopping mall and is within walking distance of the Spokane Convention Center and Spokane’s convention “campus”. Attendees can get up close and personal with the Spokane River, whether by trekking to the base of the Spokane River Falls, or viewing them from above in the Spokane Falls Gondola Sky Ride. In Spokane, a person can experience the vitality of a lively downtown area, and literally walk across Spokane Falls Boulevard to Riverfront Park, and lose themselves in the tranquility of the Spokane River along the many walking paths in the park. Spokane is pedestrian friendly, and after arriving in Spokane, attendees would have access to all of these things mentioned above without having to get into a vehicle until they are ready to depart the city. Spokane International Airport is under 10 minutes from downtown and is served by 9 major airlines with 140 arriving and departing flights per day. There are direct non-stop flights from Minneapolis, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Boise, and Seattle.