The World Environmental & Water Resources 2008 Congress is meeting today through Friday at the Hawai'i Convention Center.

Sponsors say the meeting brings together "the best minds at work in water and environmental fields" and is expected to draw about 1,000 participants from all over the world.

Total statewide spending revenue is estimated at over $4.7 million with more than $458,000 in statewide tax revenue and more than 8,000 rooms booked.

The Environmental & Water Resources Institute is a specialty organization of 22,000 members within the American Society of Civil Engineers. The diverse members include: environmental and water resources engineers and scientists, hydrologists, chemists and biologists, planners and economists, equipment suppliers, academicians, researchers and attorneys.