The recent National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA)
Ground Water Expo took place Nov. 29 through Dec. 2, and organizers’ lofty
expectations were met – and then some – as the big event looked to continue its
momentum from last year’s record-breaking statistics. A few of the impressive
numbers from the convention:
- 325 – a record number of firms exhibiting,
- 4,267 ground water professionals in attendance,
- 12 hours of trade show exhibit hall action,
- 80-plus hours of educational workshops, and
- $40,000-plus raised for the association’s Research and Educational
Foundation.
NGWA executive director Kevin McCray considers the numbers outstanding. “The
number of attendees and exhibitors this year exceeded our expectations,” he
notes. “This shows me that in spite of – or perhaps because of – our
challenging economy, our members truly value their membership in NGWA. It also
speaks well to optimism about the future of the ground water industry. It was
with some risk that we came two consecutive years to Las Vegas, but it seems to have paid off. Working
with our industry partners helped the association deliver a strong show for
everyone’s best interests.”
The Expo’s theme was “Step Ahead,” and no small part of that was built into the
educational programming, which placed increased emphasis on business management
for all major industry professions and businesses, as well as ground water
sustainability and availability. More than 70 professional development
opportunities were provided, including sessions on drilling operations, well
construction, geothermal operations, jobsite safety, water quality and
treatment, and well maintenance and rehabilitation. Half-day workshops
addressed geothermal operations, bidding and estimating, and U.S. Department of
Transportation compliance. Industry “Best Suggested Practices” sessions covered
hydrofracturing, water treatment and surface/ground water interaction. And the
NGWA Forums provided an excellent opportunity to zero in on specific topics of
interest.
The Darcy Lecture Farewell Presentation featured Stephen Silliman providing
insight into hydraulic testing, numerical modeling, water-quality
characterization and electrical resistivity surveys. The 2012 McEllhiney
Lecture Kickoff Presentation, titled “Life-cycle Economic Analysis of Water
Wells – Considerations for Design and Construction,” was given by Marvin
Glotfelty.
Especially poignant was the keynote address by Brian Shul, author, photographer
and former Air Force pilot. Shul spoke of his amazing experiences that brought
him from near-death in a Vietnam jungle to piloting experimental spy planes
today – a truly inspiring account of courage and resolve.
On the trade show floor, there were a good many first-time exhibitors, and the
veteran exhibitors had a lot of new-and-improved technologies to show off. That
meshed well with the Expo’s overall vibe of “yeah, things have been tough, but
we’re still doing what we do best, looking to improve, and planning ahead for
the good things on the horizon.”
Outside of the classrooms, exhibit hall and various meetings and receptions,
attendees also had the chance for some fun, including the rare opportunity of a
behind-the-scenes “Elvis at the Hilton” guided tour of the theater Elvis
Presley performed in, as well as his private dressing room, suite and the
penthouse, “Sky Villas,” which he called home while performing at the Las Vegas
Hilton. An outing to The Gun Store and the Pinball Hall of Fame gave attendees
a chance to show off their skills.
In actions taken Dec. 2, delegates from the membership of the NGWA voted to
amend the organization’s bylaws to expand the number of voting directors on the
corporate board from 16 to 19, and to allow directors from any membership
division to be elected by the board of directors to any board officer position.
“This action to amend the organization’s bylaws is a manifestation of the NGWA
process – the NGWA board and members working together to determine the future
of NGWA,” says incoming NGWA president, John Pitz. “The outcome of the vote is
that the NGWA membership will benefit by having the most qualified directors as
officers of the board.”
This year, the show is right back in Las
Vegas, Dec. 4-7, 2012, to “Discover, Connect and
Grow!” Says McCray, “I guarantee you there will be no letup from NGWA in terms
of the effort made to have a well-attended and well-executed event.”
ND
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