The Alliance for Water Efficiency held its 2026 Water Efficiency & Conservation Symposium on August 4–6, 2026, at the University of Chicago’s Gleacher Center. Creative Soul Studios traveled to Chicago to photograph the symposium and its evening reception.
About the Event
The symposium brought water efficiency professionals together for panels, presentations and hands-on roundtable workshops, with an evening networking reception at Joy District in downtown Chicago.
What We Covered
- Panels and presentations in the tiered lecture halls
- Roundtable workshops
- Attendee portraits
- The evening networking reception at Joy District
How We Approached the Coverage
Before the event, we reviewed the run-of-show and built a priority shot list with the organizers — every speaker, sponsor moment and must-have group photo. On site, we coordinated with the AV team on stage lighting and positions, moved between rooms as sessions changed, and kept an eye on the hallway conversations that make a conference feel alive. Final galleries were edited for consistent color and delivered in a private online gallery, organized so the team could find images by day and session.
Photos from the AWE Symposium
Photos from the Evening Reception at Joy District
Photographing an Event at the Gleacher Center
The Gleacher Center’s tiered lecture halls are great for presentations, and we shoot from multiple angles so speakers and slides both read clearly. See more on our the Gleacher Center event photography page.
Tips for Planning a Similar Event
- Share the run-of-show and speaker list at least a week out
- Flag VIPs, sponsors and must-have group photos in advance
- Plan a few minutes for group photos between sessions
- Ask for daily preview galleries if you are posting during the event
- Confirm who will use the photos — marketing, sponsors, press — so delivery fits each need
Planning a Similar Event?
We travel nationwide for association conferences and symposiums. Learn more about our conference photography, see how our pricing works, or request a quote.
See more of our association & nonprofit conference photography.