.: Diamonds in the Desert

IN the middle of an undeveloped desert, clean water was worth more than diamonds. Those who first laid claim to its source became powerful by the thirst of others. They developed the springs and jealously guarding their wet gold.

Shootouts, corrupt officials, malfeasance and murder mark the history. The powerful grabbed the source land from the less fortunate. Those who couldn't gain access were forced from the area by the harsh environment. Fortunes were made, stolen, lost and made again in the battle for control of the water. The source was fought over by warring government factions and special interests. To this day the actual history is disputed.

Africa? The Middle East? India? No - Las Vegas.

In the hottest desert in the world, the most visited destination on the planet sprung from the dust in one generation. Hosting over 40 million guests per year, Las Vegas is the largest American city founded in the 20th century. It now has more water consumption, more restaurants, more golf courses and more swimming pools per capita than any other city on earth.

September 22 to 24 of 2011, Las Vegas will play host to the world's greatest innovators of water purification for the developing world. Entrepreneurs, scientists and inventors will demonstrate the absolute cutting edge solutions to the global shortage of potable water, for an audience of diplomats, government officials, royals, foundations and NGO's, as the Consular Chamber of Commerce presents the Global PURE Water Expo.