6 Reasons the WWETT Show Should Be Mandatory For Pumping Professionals

The biggest wastewater industry trade show inspires you and your crew to take your business to new heights.
6 Reasons the WWETT Show Should Be Mandatory For Pumping Professionals

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Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a number of pumpers who’ve attended 30 or more COLE Publishing trade shows, now called the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show and formerly known as the Pumper & Cleaner Expo. What do these WWETT Show regulars have in common? They operate some of the biggest, the best and the most innovative hauling companies in North America. They’re often the most influential executives who have shaped the continuing professionalism of the industry.

These industry leaders long ago embraced the best of what a successful trade show has to offer. Ask them why they’re loyal attendees at the WWETT Show, and they’ll have many answers. Here are just a few of the reasons I – and those distinguished industry leaders – would urge you to come to the Indiana Convention Center Feb. 17-20 for the 2016 show:

Look for your newest truck or piece of equipment. You may be shopping for a new truck to put into service in 2016 or are starting to plan for a new rig in the future. Tank manufacturers show off their latest and greatest work on the WWETT Show exhibit floor, and you can benefit from taking a look. There’s usually a new wrinkle in the design of trucks exhibited in Indy. It might be the way a tank or accessories are installed on the chassis. A change could improve ergonomics to make your driver’s job easier. Get a close look at each of the dozens of new rigs on display. Talk to company reps about how they built the trucks. Take photos of accessories or graphic elements you might use to improve your fleet in the future.

Sit in on seminars. There are almost 100 seminars over three days, many of them during the popular Education Day that kicks off the event on Feb. 17. As a bonus, some of the seminars may qualify you and your crew for continuing education credits from your state. I took a look at the list of seminars and here are a few I would plan to attend first: “How Much Should I Grow,” with marketing expert Ellen Rohr (8 a.m. Wednesday); “Growing Your Business in a Tough Economy,” with Robert Barnes, owner of King’s Pumping Service and past president of the Oregon Onsite Wastewater Association (9:30 a.m. Thursday); “OSHA Confined Space, Air Monitoring and Fall Protection Explained,” with Chris Cira of Mtech Company (11 a.m. Wednesday); “Brown Grease Recovery From Grease Trap Waste: Science and Economics,” with William Smith of Springhouse Consulting (11 a.m. Friday); and “Pathogen Exposures to Workers in the Onsite Industry,” with John Thomas of the Washington Onsite Sewage Association.

Meet your trade association leadership. The WWETT Show is a time for pumpers who are members of the National Association of Wastewater Technicians to let their voices be heard with the group’s leadership. And if you don’t already belong to NAWT, you can meet with association representatives and learn about its benefits, as well as how you can help shape lobbying and training efforts coordinated by national leaders. Representatives of other related trade groups, such as the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) and the Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) will also be on hand to meet you.

Form a new networking group. Getting to know pumpers from across the country can be a huge benefit for you and your company. At the WWETT Show, you can meet and share ideas with pumpers who are not your competitors. Open and frank discussions about marketing, technical issues related to service, employee management and the like can help you improve professionalism, control costs and diversify your services. Many pumpers have made lifelong friends through the WWETT Show, colleagues they continue to network with throughout the year. The WWETT Show is designed for convenient networking, and new this year is the WWETT Show Kickoff Party at Lucas Oil Stadium, where pumpers will get together on the field at the home of the Indianapolis Colts from 5-8 p.m. on Feb. 17 and Feb. 18. I hope to see you there.

Relax and enjoy yourself. The WWETT Show is a businessman’s holiday for many pumpers. The four-day event forces you to get away from the daily grind for a few days, but yet still focus on the growth of your company. And while you’re away from the office, you’ll be encouraged to treat yourself to a great evening on the town at one of hundreds of eateries in downtown Indy. You can walk over to the Circle Center Mall to buy gifts for the crew back home. Consider stopping at one of the many museums and other attractions downtown. And you’ll also want to hit Industry Appreciation Night on Friday, Feb. 19. Gather at the Sagamore Ballroom at the Indiana Convention Center for 25-cent tap beers, followed by a private show from country music star Jerrod Niemann (“Drink to That All Night”). Meet all your industry friends when the doors open at 5 p.m. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Expose your crew to the industry. The scope and professionalism of the wastewater industry can be a revelation for employees you bring along to the WWETT Show. Those new to the industry find a source of pride in what they do when they see the technology offered by 600 WWETT Show exhibitors. The education seminars and interaction with other professionals will take your employees from having a “job” to developing a “career.” Many pumpers use the WWETT Show as a way to reward their best employees, bringing someone new to the show every year as a way to inspire and educate.

Here’s the Lowdown
WHAT: Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show
WHERE: Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
WHEN: Feb. 17-20
COST: $70 until Jan. 22, $100 thereafter for a full conference pass
MORE INFO: www.wwettshow.com



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