For the Love of Water, and Events!

For the Love of Water, and Events!

In June this year I found myself in Nice, France (and yes, it really was very, very Nice!) attending the public-facing part of the UN Conference on Oceans,  known as ‘the Whale’. As someone who has loved water for as long as I can remember drawn to it in all its forms, whether ocean, sea, lake, river or rain, being part of this experience was like stepping into a version of my own dream. It felt like I was in my element, quite literally.

From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the atmosphere. It wasn’t just an event tucked away in a conference centre; the whole city was transformed. Banners and artwork filled the streets, bus stops, and galleries. There were interactive exhibits, museums curating water-themed installations, and live performances on the waterfront. And perhaps my favourite touch of all, ocean sounds playing on the local transport, creating a moment of unexpected calm and immersion. It was more than a conference. It was both a public celebration of water, and an ask to participate.

So how did I get there? I’ve worked in the events world for several years, and water has always been a quiet thread running through my work and life. I even wrote my university dissertation on Women and Water, specifically, how access (or lack thereof) to clean water and sanitation deeply affects the health, wellbeing and education of women and girls globally. That research left a lasting impression. It showed me that water isn’t just a natural resource; it’s a foundation for equity and opportunity.

This spring, my parents recommended the new David Attenborough documentary, Ocean. “Everyone should watch this,” they said, “but especially you, Maxine.” They weren’t wrong. The film was stunning—both awe-inspiring and sobering—and as it ended, a holding screen appeared announcing the upcoming UN Ocean Conference in Nice. I immediately thought: Can I be part of this?

Thanks to the magic of the internet and a few hours of research, I learned that for the first time, the UN event would include a public component alongside the high-level meetings between state representatives, scientists, and international policy leaders. NGOs, charities, students, educators, and water lovers like me could attend to learn, connect, and contribute. I didn’t hesitate. I booked my place, and by June 8th, World Ocean Day, I was there.

What I experienced was not only inspiring, it was motivating.  There were various areas in the Whale, on everything from education, to the Arctic, to food sources, with speakers, materials and information.   All tackling the Ocean from different perspectives, and it was both overwhelming and amazing all at the same time.

Coming back from Nice, I didn’t want the energy to fade. I began thinking about how I could create something local that echoed that same spirit: celebration, inclusion, and awareness around water. That’s how the idea for my community-based water event was born.

In October, I’ll be piloting a small event designed to bring people together around water, not just for environmental education, but for wellbeing, creativity and community. I want people to pause and feel water again, to connect with it beyond the tap or the tide.

Longer-term, I’m working to develop a larger public-facing event as part of Water Week Brighton, taking place in June 2026. It’s exciting to imagine a week of activities, that bring the community together to participate in and with the water, for learning, wellness, sport and togetherness.

The conference in Nice reminded me that no matter how big or small your platform is, your contribution matters. Whether it’s shaping global policy or holding space for your local community to reconnect with a riverbank, it’s all part of the same movement.

If you’d like to hear more about upcoming events, collaborate, or just share your own love for water, please follow me on LinkedIn—Instagram coming soon!

As to me ‘It’s About Water’!