News
Groundwater Week: Nashville networking

Jan. 3, 2018, Nashville, TN – There was plenty to see at this year’s Groundwater Week, including the latest drill rigs, well pumps, pipe, accessories and software to manage your business.

The annual meeting of the National Ground Water Association marked its 69th year by putting down stakes in Nashville Dec. 5 to 7.

This year’s attendance for Groundwater Week and adjacent research summit was 4,331, including 216 Canadians. Fifty states and 33 countries were represented, and the number of contractors attending (1,715) was the largest to attend a non-Las Vegas show, said Thad Plumley, director of information products for the NGWA.

Visitors were able to educate themselves through the numerous technical sessions and workshops that ran both before the trade show and during show hours. The show floor had 279 exhibitors taking up almost 70,000 square feet.

The week started with the very popular Welcome Party on the Tuesday evening.

This event was sponsored by Franklin Electric and provided an opportunity for delegates and suppliers to mingle and catch up in a social setting ahead of the actual trade show. The hall was packed and the buzz of great conversations could be heard from afar.

The keynote presentation the following day was delivered by John Carter Cash, son of singing legend Johnny Cash. Carter Cash took us on a tour of music history as he chronicled his father’s life story from early days, through his two marriages and celebrity status. An excellent musician in his own right, he sang quite a few of his father’s hits during the presentation.

Afterwards, the show floor opened and the aisles were jammed as water well drillers learned about the latest products available for their trade.

Bryan Watson of G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling in Fenelon Falls, Ont., commented that he enjoys coming to this event yearly because of the trade show with a large variety of products on display that you might not see at home.

“Being at the show allows you to ask questions of the booth staff and physically see the product as opposed to researching it on the internet,” Watson explained. He said he enjoys partaking in mix of business and educational sessions offered by the annual event.

The show wrapped up on the Thursday with another busy day on the floor. Plans are already in the works for next year’s event, which will be back in Las Vegas from Dec. 4 to 6, 2018.