01/23/2026
2026 Emerging Issues Forum Partner Resources
General Information
Name: 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water
Website: go.ncsu.edu/2026forum
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Locations:
Asheville: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Mission Health/A-B Tech Conference Center, 16 Fernihurst Drive, Asheville, NC 28801
Winston-Salem: Forsyth Technical Community College, Dewitt E. Rhoades Conference Center, 1615 Miller Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Morehead City: Crystal Coast Civic Center, Carteret Community College, 203 College Circle, Morehead City, NC 28557
Registration Rates:
Individual Registration: $175
Student: $50
Session Themes
A look forward to 2050: North Carolina’s infrastructure future
Ways to address water issues impacting North Carolina communities
Hidden and aging water infrastructure
Rethinking resiliency
Investing in our water workforce
And more
This is the second forum in the 2025-2027 Future Forward Infrastructure series.
Newsletter Language
2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water
Connect with local and regional leaders on the topic of North Carolina’s water infrastructure at the 2026 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Water, taking place on Feb. 25, 2026. Topics include water and economic development, aging infrastructure, resiliency in the face of extreme weather events, workforce development and affordability.
Water affects different regions of the state in unique ways. For the first time, the Institute for Emerging Issues at NC State University will host the forum simultaneously in Asheville, Winston-Salem and Morehead City, giving local leaders and community members an opportunity to connect on this important topic.
Learn more and get your tickets: go.ncsu.edu/2026forum
The 2026 Emerging Issues Forum will convene policymakers, experts and other stakeholders to explore solutions to pressing challenges facing North Carolina's water in. Online registration by Cvent
