Straight from the desk ofND's editor.

It's JUBILEE Time

From its inception, the South Atlantic Well Drillers JUBILEE has striven to provide an opportunity for learning and camaraderie, while maintaining its family-inclusive atmosphere. While, over the years, the JUBILEE has grown exponentially, these basic tenets remain unchanged, and play the major role in making the event the outstanding occasion that it is.

Continuing education is, of course, a big part of what JUBILEE has to offer, and this year, there are dozens of timely and informative classes being offered to keep industry professionals on top of their games. Just a few of the highlights:

  • Chilean miners rescue operation
  • IGSHPA-accredited drillers training
  • Water Quality Association certification
  • OSHA HAZWOPER training
  • Advanced marketing concepts
  • Geotechnical drilling techniques

And on the trade show floor, you’ll find the same number of exhibitors as last year. “Given the fact that the economy still is weak in our industry, that’s a good sign,” notes Jane Cain, JUBILEE’s executive director. “New this year, we’re placing an emphasis on environmentally-friendly products and technologies, and we’ll be having floor demonstrations promoting these types of things running throughout the day.”

This year’s event is a bit of a swan song for JUBILEE as next year, the show moves to Virginia Beach after a decades-long run in Myrtle Beach. To ease the transition, representatives from Virginia Beach will be on hand to acquaint convention-goers with the new host town and its many family-friendly attractions and offerings.

If you’ll be fortunate enough to be attending JUBILEE this year, have a great time, and please stop by booth 1103 and say hi.

Funds for Water Entrepreneurs

In the midst of a global water and energy crisis, the Water, Energy and Technology Center in Fresno, Calif., is looking for entrepreneurs focused on innovating and commercializing water, energy and ag-tech solutions. The Center is offering two scholarships for the WET Incubator Program. The scholarship covers the cost of program tuition and office space at the WET Center.

“There are innovations out there that just need a boost. Many of the solutions being created now can have an immediate impact on water and energy problems around the world,” says Kirk Nagamine, CEO of the Central Valley Business Incubator. “We want to invest our resources in high-potential entrepreneurs who will create jobs.”

The WET Incubator Program provides entrepreneurs with physical space, research and technology development support, commercialization counseling, funding preparation, specialized training and networking opportunities. Located in Fresno, referred to as the BlueTechValley, the WET Incubator Program provides entrepreneurs with access to the world’s water hub. There are more than 200 companies in the Water Cluster and Clean Energy Cluster that provide market opportunities in the areas of industrial, agricultural, municipal and residential sectors. A true living/working laboratory, the WET Center is where ideas are field-tested and deployed. Additionally, private industry, the public sector and academia are aligned and focused toward growing innovative companies.

Entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to apply for the WET Incubator Program Scholarship funds online atwetcenter.org/apply.

“Dirty Jobs” Star's Web Site Supports Skilled Trades Workers

BNP Media, parent company ofNational Driller, has entered into a partnership with Mike Rowe, host of cable show “Dirty Jobs,” to supply blogs for his Web site, “Trades Hub.” The site is dedicated to championing the cause of the skilled trades.

Rowe has apprenticed at nearly 300 job sites during the course of hosting “Dirty Jobs.” Through those experiences, combined with a legacy of a carpenter grandfather, Rowe developed a passion for the skilled trades.

Rowe launched his “mike-roweWORKS” Web site in 2008, providing resources, news and a community forum for all kinds of trade workers. With the launch of sister site “Trades Hub,” Rowe is connecting tradesmen and women from even more trades by providing additional content from a number of selected trade media.

A big component of “Trades Hub” is the addition of hundreds of blogs written to help trades folk become better at their jobs, run their companies more efficiently, and develop the next generation of skilled trade workers.

The site is dedicated to providing high-quality trades-focused content, centralized information, and business- and career-building news and stories. In short, “Trades Hub” will be collecting all kinds of blogs, articles and news stories relating to the trades, by the trades, and for the trades.

Check it out athttp://tradeshub.mikeroewworks.com.
ND