The Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International will return to Indianapolis Feb. 25-28, 2013, bringing back everything that made the 2012 Expo a huge success along with some new features to help attendees get even more out of their time.

"Once a year there is a gathering of the best in the industry," says Bob Kendall, co-founder of COLE Publishing and president of COLE Inc. "The best manufacturers, dealers and suppliers meet with the best pumpers, cleaners and service contractors. This gathering provides unequaled opportunity to see, learn, grow and develop their businesses."

Education Day will kick off the 2013 Pumper & Cleaner Expo, providing an opportunity to acquire the strategies and technical know-how to push your business or utility forward. Topics cover everything from Pump Choices and Settings to The Science and Engineering of Onsite Wastewater Treatment. Pumpers, cleaners and other wastewater professionals will have the opportunity to learn from the industry's top experts, gaining insight on best practices and strategies for growth and success. Education Day also facilitates free dialogue among your peers, so you can seek and share advice and experiences that competitors might otherwise keep to themselves. It's a day dedicated to helping you expand your knowledge base and improve your craft.

The learning opportunities won't end when the final session lets out on Monday afternoon. Educational seminars also are slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, and Roundtable Discussions will be held Thursday morning. In fact, this year's Expo features one of the most expansive lineups of educational opportunities in the event's 33-year history.

Attendees will learn about new tools, technologies and methods for solving specific problems; fine-tune your knowledge of basic in-the-field practices, and learn business leadership skills that transform your performance and profit. Expo education courses count toward continuing education credits in many states. Check out the Expo website (www.pumpershow.com) for specific information on your state.

Of course, it's not all about the classroom. The massive display of tools, trucks and technology helps contractors stay on the cutting edge of equipment advances. The Pumper & Cleaner Expo is the only place where you meet all the major manufacturers, kick the tires on the latest equipment, and network with the people who know this industry best.

A record 92 percent of attendees at the 2012 Expo said they would be coming back in 2013, so you can be assured of gathering with the best people in the industry.

"There's no better place to network with others who understand your business," Kendall says. "The free exchange of knowledge and experience is priceless. There's no better place to learn how to become more profitable."

Last year, 501 exhibitors filled more than 550,000 square feet on the show floor, and the response is already up from new companies interested in the 2013 Expo. The list of exhibitors is  continually updated on the Expo website, which you can also use to preview the educational sessions, study the interactive floor plan, plan your itinerary and search for hotel rooms. Three new hotels near the airport will provide convenient accommodations for those with early or late flights.

Indy also has plenty to offer outside the Expo hall, including a range of museums, entertainment venues and shopping opportunities, and there are hundreds of restaurants within a short walking distance of the Convention Center. Find your favorite spot to meet up with clients, colleagues and friends, and find out what "Hoosier hospitality" is all about.

While planning your itinerary, be sure to keep Tuesday night open for the Industry Appreciation Party and Craig Morgan concert at the JW Marriott Hotel, connected to the Convention Center. It promises to be a great night.

In fact, the Expo promises four great days. If you haven't been to the Expo, jump onto the website and take a look at everything it can offer you and your business. It's easy to plan the trip, and you'll walk away with a better perspective on your business and the entire industry.

See you in Indy.