In a few days I’ll be walking to the show floor of the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International at the Kentucky Exposition Center. I can’t wait. Why?

1. It’s my opportunity to meet you, pumping professionals from across the country and the world. While I get to talk to many of you throughout the year, there’s nothing quite as nice as face-to-face meetings to get me charged up about serving the readers of Pumper magazine. At the Expo, I hear about the issues that impact your business the most, which helps me formulate the magazine’s editorial content for the year to come. Your input is key to making Pumper a vital trade publication.

2. Just like you, the Expo lets me see all the latest products and technologies the industry has to offer. The new trucks, the most popular portable sanitation products, software programs, accessories that help contractors perform onsite system maintenance and repairs. I can kick the tires, slam the restroom doors, compare and contrast product specs and see what new offerings on the show floor get the pumping community excited.

3. I get to collect business cards and network with attendees to identify the companies that we will feature in contractor profile stories in the coming year. By the end of the Expo, I invariably have dozens of great contacts for future stories and a bagful of cards and brochures to review. Is your company one we haven’t profiled in more than 30 years of Pumper magazine? If so, please stop at the COLE Publishing editors’ booth and introduce yourself. I’d love to hear about your company history and your outlook for the 2011 busy season.

I don’t want to miss the chance to meet you at the Expo. To be sure to catch me in Louisville, stop at our editor’s booth or ask anyone wearing a COLE Publishing shirt to contact me. They’ll track me down and let me know you’re looking for me.

Have a great trip to Louisville and enjoy the biggest show in the pumping industry!