Thousands of groundwater industry representatives will be ÔExploring New PossibilitiesO for the industry Dec. 13-15 at the 52nd National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Convention and Exposition.
The worldOs largest annual event in the groundwater industry, the Convention and Exposition will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
Features of this yearOs event include displays of the latest products and technology in groundwater industry and science, discussions on national and international cross-border water issues and new perspectives on marketing the groundwater industry.
More than 200 exhibitors are expected to be displaying their wares during the two-day Exposition, which will highlight the latest developments throughout the groundwater industry. The ExpositionOs hours will be 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 14, and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. A special Exposition preview will begin on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Following the preview, the first annual rig lighting will be held from 7:45 - 8:15 p.m. The event will be an outdoor light, sound and video extravaganza presented by Pulstar Manufacturing Inc., Dodge, NE, and featuring a spectacularly decorated Pulstar pump hoist.
The PresidentOs Reception, an informal get-acquainted gathering hosted by NGWA President Bob Reichart, will follow the rig lighting and will conclude WednesdayOs activities.
Another first for the 2000 NGWA Convention will be speeches on Dec 14 by two keynote speakers who will highlight a variety of new ways to improve groundwater-related businesses.
Ken Schmidt, former head of communications for Harley-Davidson Motor Company, who helped lead their remarkable turnaround, will discuss marketing lessons learned during the companyOs revival and one-to-one marketing efforts.
Harrod Blank, an artist, designer and lecturer who has gained recognition for his uniquely-designed Ôart cars,O will discuss ways to use cars, trucks and rigs as vehicles to present your businessO message to potential customers
The two keynote addresses and an Awards Presentation are scheduled from 8:30 - 10 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 14.
For the first time, The Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers will be holding their Annual Meeting and Conference titled ÔGround Water: A Transboundary, Strategic and Geopolitical ResourceO in conjunction with the NGWA Convention and Exposition.
Groundwater knows no political boundaries and the group will be meeting Dec. 13 - 14 to discuss issues including technical, cultural, legal, economic, social, and political aspects of groundwater resources shared across borders by local areas, states, and nations worldwide.
Two special lectures also will be presented during the Convention. The NGWAOs new McElhiney Lecture Series will present its first speaker, Hans-Olaf Pfannkuch, professor of hydrogeology at the University of Minnesota, he will address ÔPump Tests for Practical People.O His speech will provide information for contractors facing more requests for aquifer evaluation or pump testing.
The NGWA 2000 Darcy Lecture will feature Dr. M. James Hendry of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, who will speak on ÔTransport and Geochemical Controls on Solutes in Clay Aquitards.O Dr. Henry holds an endowed research chair in aqueous geochemistry and is an industrial research chair of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council in Canada. His speech will include physical, hydrogeologic, chemical, isotope, and biological information from aquitard systems.
A total of 20 workshops will be available to Convention attendees, the workshops are scheduled 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Dec. 14.
Some of the workshop topics include ÔCan Your Rig Dig A Little Deeper,O ÔDesigning Your Own Web Page,O ÔEnsuring A Safe Work Environment,O and ÔHorizontal Environmental Drilling For Contractors.O
The workshops will feature experts from groundwater-related fields who offer information and advice on issues and concerns affecting the industry, and improving and diversifying groundwater-related businesses.
Convention attendees are expected to include groundwater contractors, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, groundwater scientists, engineers, geologists and environmental professionals.
