Offering a full slate of seminars and a well-rounded trade show, the National Ground Water Association's annual convention took place in Cobb County, Ga., Dec. 13-16, 2005.

The recent National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Ground Water Expo (Dec. 13-16, 2005 in Cobb County, Ga.) offered plenty of opportunities for attendees to walk away a better water professional, including more than 100 hours of continuing education offerings. Educational presentations included workshops, hands-on demonstrations and interest group sessions. The McEllhiney Lecture, sponsored by Franklin Electric, featured Fred McAninch, the “Rig Doctor,” covering the basics of how to view the drilling rig in relation to the geology in which you will be working. The Darcy Lecture, “Inert Gas Tracers in Ground Water,” sponsored by the National Ground Water Research and Education Foundation, was presented by Kip Solomon.

The Gathering Zone, where speakers, presenters and NGWA officers were available, and the Auxiliary Lounge, a more informal place to meet and greet, facilitated networking with others in the industry. Not to be overlooked was the Massage Lounge area - as popular as it was useful. Other opportunities included an affiliate state peer gathering, the President's Dinner and Auction, the General Membership Breakfast and Round Table Meeting, a Membership Division Meeting and the Delegates' Meeting.

The tradeshow floor boasted the latest in products and services from approximately 270 exhibiting companies.

The association made a special effort to recognize its 2005 Distinguished Partners, manufacturing firms that support NGWA through volunteer service on boards and committees, sponsorships and contributions to the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation. The 10 Distinguished Partners:
Baroid Industrial Drilling Products
DeepRock Manufacturing
Flexcon Industries
Franklin Electric Co.
GEFCO
Geoprobe Systems
Goulds Pumps/ITT
Pentair Pump Group
Schramm
Wyo-Ben

Be sure to mark your calendar and make plans to attend NGWA's 2006 Expo, taking place Dec. 5-8 in Las Vegas.

ND

NGWA Photo Gallery

International meeting: Kevin Brown (New Zealand Drillers Association), Tom Downey (NGWA) and Bill Kyte (Canadian Ground Water Association) gather at the National Driller booth.

Keynote speaker Richard Picciotto is an FDNY battalion commander and author of “Last Man Down,” his first-hand account of being the last firefighter to get out of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

V.C. Bidwell (Economy Well Drilling Inc., Vienna, Ohio) visits with PermaTank's J.J. Troccoli.

At the Rockmore booth, Tim Parks hosts Keith Smith (Smith's Water Well Drilling, Creola, Ohio).

The NGWA's M. King Hubbert Award is presented to someone who's made major science or engineering contributions to the knowledge of ground water research, technical papers, teaching and practical applications. This year's recipient is Mary Hill, seen here accepting the award from 1989 winner Lenny Konikow.

Jeff Blinn and Mark Whittle of Baroid cover “Effective Air Drilling Techniques” at the exhibit hall's demonstration area.

Richard Soppe of Atlas Copco and Michael Morris (EHS Technology Group LLC, Miamisburg, Ohio) discuss deephole issues.

Steve Evans (Brothers' Well Drilling Inc., Osteen, Fla.) meets Pulstar's Albin Janecek.

Walter Stockert, a most-deserving, 50-year industry veteran, receives the Ross Oliver Award from association president Larry Lyons. The award pays tribute to an NGWA member who has made outstanding contributions to the ground water industry.

The annual Master Ground Water Contractors Luncheon is a terrific place to hear some interesting and entertaining drilling stories.

Dan Krasa (Krasa Well Services, Bellevue, Neb.), enjoying the live auction that benefits the Len Assante Scholarship Fund.

Sandvik's Jerry Sherman meets up with Larry Converse (Randolph Well and Pump Co., McLean, N.Y.).

Gerald Kassmeier and Milly Burger of Smeal talk with David Cheek (C&C Sales, Franklin, N.C.) and Donnie and Daniel Crane (Crane Bros. Well Drilling Inc., Franklin, N.C.).