Bringing Water Stewardship to Life Through Collaboration, Innovation, and Action in Chicago

March 31 – April 1, 2026

Last week, the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) was proud to come together with partners from across North America in Chicago for a series of impactful events focused on advancing water stewardship across sectors.

From immersive, behind-the-scenes learning experiences to forward-looking strategy discussions, the week highlighted the power of partnership in tackling some of the most pressing water challenges facing the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence region and beyond. It was an inspiring way to recognize World Water Day (March 22) and kick off Earth Month.

Partners of Great Lakes WISE. From Left: Lucia Dunderman (Diageo), Paul Sambanis (SLOAN), Karen Frost (The Water Council), Jeff Hanratty (Ducks Unlimited), Rae Mindock (Fresh Coast Climate Solutions), Vance Badawey (CGLR), Lora Shrake (CGLR), Brandon Kienenberger (Primo Brands), Abby McDowell (Fresh Coast Climate Solutions), Noelle Brigham (A.O. Smith).

GOAL: Water and Venue Exchange

The week began with the GOAL: Water and Venue Exchange (WAVE), an interactive two-day event held at the historic Wrigley Field in Chicago. CGLR’s Great Lakes WISE initiative was a proud partner of the water solutions summit.

Bringing together more than 50 leaders from across the U.S. and Canada, the WAVE event created a unique space for collaboration at the intersection of water sustainability and the sports and entertainment industry. The setting itself served as a powerful case study: how can large, legacy venues rethink water use and infrastructure to meet today’s sustainability expectations?

From Left: Jasmine Ault, Vance Badawey, Lora Shrake (CGLR)

An Inside Look at Water in Action

Day 1 offered participants an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at Wrigley Field like few ever experience. Attendees stepped onto the field, explored the iconic scoreboards, and toured critical back-of-house areas including operational control spaces.

Beyond the excitement of the venue, the tour provided valuable insight into how water is used, managed, and optimized across such a large-scale facility. From plumbing systems to operational efficiencies, the experience grounded conversations in real-world application demonstrating both the challenges and opportunities that exist within complex venues.

Thought Leadership and Inspiring Voices

The day continued with engaging keynote sessions and discussions featuring leaders across the water and sustainability space. Contributions from CGLR partners such as Ducks Unlimited, Primo Brands, and Sloan highlighted the diverse approaches being taken to advance water stewardship across industries.

A particularly memorable moment came from Brent Suter of the Los Angeles Angels, who shared his personal passion for water conservation and his efforts to use his platform to raise awareness. His perspective underscored the importance of engaging voices beyond traditional sectors to drive broader cultural and behavioural change.

CGLR was also proud to play an active role in shaping the event. Our COO, Lora Shrake, contributed both as a member of the planning committee and as a featured speaker sharing insight on regional collaboration and the role of cross-sector partnerships in advancing water solutions.

From Left: Paul Sambanis (SLOAN), Lora Shrake (CGLR), Kristen Fulmer (GOAL)

Innovation on Display

Day 2 shifted focus toward the future, spotlighting emerging solutions through an exciting startup pitch competition. Innovators presented new technologies and ideas designed to tackle water challenges in large venues from efficiency and reuse to monitoring and infrastructure improvements.

The WAVE event concluded with a uniquely Chicago experience: attendees gathered in the bleacher suite to watch a Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Angels game. It was a fitting close to two days of learning and collaboration while bringing participants together in a setting that perfectly reflected the spirit of the event.

Thank You to GOAL

Thank you to our friends at GOAL who organized the WAVE event and opened the door for collaboration. We can’t wait to do more together!

From Left: Jeff Hanratty (Ducks Unlimited), Brandon Kienenerger (Primo Brands), Rob Woodman (Ferguson), Paul Sambanis (SLOAN)

Great Lakes WISE Quarterly Meeting (April 3)

Building on the momentum of the Water and Venue Exchange, CGLR hosted its Great Lakes WISE (Water Innovation & Stewardship Exchange) quarterly meeting on April 3 in downtown Chicago.

The meeting brought together WISE partners from across the U.S. and Ontario for a focused and collaborative discussion on advancing shared water stewardship priorities. With strong participation both in person and virtually, the session reflected the continued growth and engagement of the WISE network.

Participants shared updates on key initiatives, organizational priorities, and emerging opportunities for collaboration. A central focus of the discussion was the development and upcoming launch of the Corporate Water Stewardship Toolkit, alongside reflections on recent outreach efforts and partnerships.

The group also engaged in forward-looking conversations to refine priority areas and identify potential projects for the year ahead. These discussions reinforced a shared commitment to practical, scalable solutions and the importance of aligning efforts across sectors and geographies.

Perhaps most importantly, the meeting provided valuable time for connection and strengthening relationships and fostering the trust that underpins effective collaboration.

Looking Ahead

CGLR’s collaborative week in Chicago was a powerful reminder that advancing water stewardship requires more than ideas – it requires partnership, innovation, and a willingness to learn from one another.

From exploring real-world applications at Wrigley Field to engaging in strategic dialogue through Great Lakes WISE, the week showcased what’s possible when diverse stakeholders come together with a shared purpose.

Thank You to Our WISE Partners

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all who joined us for the Great Lakes WISE Quarterly Meeting, both in person and virtually. Your time, insights, and ongoing collaboration continue to move this work forward in meaningful ways.A special thank you to:

Paul Sambanis, Sloan
Noelle Brigham, A. O. Smith
Brandon Kienenberger, Primo Brands
Jeff Hanratty, Ducks Unlimited
Rae Mindock and Abby McDowell, Fresh Coast Climate Solutions
Karen Frost, The Water Council
Lucia Dunderman, Diageo
Alan Gilden, Watts Water Technologies (virtual)
Lora Shrake, Vance Badawey, and Jasmine Ault, Council of the Great Lakes Region

We’re grateful for your continued leadership and partnership in advancing water stewardship across the Great Lakes region.

Join the Great Lakes Region Community

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