Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/451364
A drill rig manufacturer points out amidst the last day of exhibiting the NGWA Ground- water Expo and Annual Meeting in Las Vegas is considered their Super Bowl of shows. It's easy to see why. More than 300 exhibiting companies displayed their latest wares on 71,600 square feet of space at the 2014 edition of the groundwater industry's largest event, held December 9-12. Of the 309 exhibitors, 41were first-time participants. "We have received a good amount of positive feedback from exhibitors about both the quantity and quality of visitors to their booths," says Vickie Crosby, NGWA director of advertising and ex- hibit sales. "The exhibitors networked with current and potential customers and stayed quite busy throughout the duration of the trade show." A total attendance of 5245 came to the 66th Expo and spanned all sectors of the groundwater industry—water well contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, and scientists and engineers. It was the strongest attendance since 2008. The Expo was held in Las Vegas for the first time since 2012. It was in Nashville last year. "As I walked the floor and spoke to the exhibitors, I was impressed by their obvi- ous pleasure with the convention center and the large crowds," says NGWA Presi- dent Richard Thron, MGWC, president of Mantyla Well Drilling Inc. in Lakeland, Minnesota. "Listening to all of the positive com- ments from convention attendees leads me to believe they were pleased with the wide range of topics our speakers provided and the quality of their presentations." The Expo offered a diverse collection of educational offerings with 10 profes- sional development categories. Many of the educational sessions were standing room only and featured lively discus- sions. Among the popular workshop sessions were "Well Rehabilitation and Maintenance," "Well Construction Ma- terial Selection," and a panel discussion titled "Overcoming Grouting Chal- lenges: How the Professionals Do It." The NGWA Activity Area made its debut in the exhibit hall with 30-minute offerings for attendees to learn skills ap- plicable to their job. The sessions were divided into five stations: The Office, The Well, The Aquifer, The Pump, and Safety Through Leadership. "Participants really seemed to thrive in our in-hall activity areas," observes NGWA CEO Kevin McCray, CAE. "Most of those were fully occupied, as were lots of our workshop sessions. We've been listening more deeply to what folks need and want and we're working to deliver on that. WWJ February 2015 31 Twitter @WaterWellJournl (Top) Attendees head into the exhibit hall at the 2014 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. (Left) The exhibit hall featured 309 exhibiting companies that had a steady stream of attendees at their booths. What a Return What a Return The 2014 NGWA ® Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting was back in Las Vegas and achieved its strongest attendance since 2008. By Mike Price EXPO continues on page 32