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Drill down in Las Vegas

For those in the ground water industry, the National Ground Water
Association’s (NGWA) annual Expo is hard to beat as a destination.

For those in the ground water industry, the National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) annual Expo is hard to beat as a destination.

Not only is it a chance for ground water professionals to see the latest in gear and equipment, but the educational opportunities are simply unequalled anywhere else. The 2010 NGWA Expo took place Dec. 7 to 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre in Las Vegas, Nev.

TOP LEFT: Vicky Toon, vice-president of sales and marketing for Heron Instruments, demonstrates a water level meter for Ed Cosman of Ground Water Canada. TOP RIGHT: Some of the team from Canadian-based Boshart Industries. From left: Gary Boshart, Julie Storey, Debbie Schull and Brenda Hanning. BOTTOM LEFT: Thomas Hoyt and Matt Cray of Schlumberg Water Services, deep in discussion. The NGWA Expo presents excellent opportunities to learn and network with peers. BOTTOM RIGHT: From International Pipe: Bobbi Dingwall, April Godlein and Crystal Thibeault.

We took the opportunity to speak to many of the Canadians exhibiting at and attending the show. In general, the consensus was one of optimism.

“It’s busy,” said Eric LeMay of Flexcon Industries. “Compared to New Orleans (site of the 2009 NGWA Expo) it’s 20 times as busy.” While that may be hyperbole, it was a popular sentiment. Most of the people we spoke with noted that this year’s show was significantly busier than those of recent years.

“It’s always a good show for us,” said Sarah Belshaw of Solinst Canada, noting that they take significantly more orders at the NGWA Expo than at other shows the company attends.

Doug Secord, a technical sales representative for Alberta-based Foremost, mentioned something similar when talking to Ground Water Canada, and added, “Our international sales have been very strong this year.”

Perhaps the spirit of the NGWA Expo can be summed up best by Gary Boshart, president of Boshart Industries. “This show has been excellent,” he said. We can’t help but feel that many of the attendees would agree.

The NGWA would like to thank the sponsors that helped make the show a success: Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, Franklin Electric, ITT Goulds Pumps, Jet-Lube, Sandvik Mining and Construction, Tibban Mfg. and WellGuard.

The next NGWA Expo will take place Dec. 4 to 7, 2011 in Las Vegas. For more information, please visit www.ngwa.org .