The 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show in Indianapolis provides plenty to see and learn for professionals in charge of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure.

Formerly called the Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International, the show has a 35-year history of assembling the best in equipment, education and networking for a wide variety of professionals in environmental services. It is of particular interest to drinking water and wastewater operators whose duties include caring for collection and distribution infrastructure.

Many in the environmental services — including municipal and utility professionals — consider the show a must to attend each year. A key to its appeal is the mingling of varied disciplines from both the private and public sectors, all with ideas and best practices to share.

The show’s new name reflects the attendees’ diversity. “It broadens the scope of the show and amplifies the professionalism of the industry,” says Bob Kendall, founder of COLE Publishing. “It enhances the image of the water and wastewater trades as services that are essential to public health and safety.”

New name, same quality

The WWETT show, Feb. 23-26, will encompass 560,000-plus square feet at the Indiana Convention Center. Vendors will display the latest products and technologies, and dozens of educational seminars led by industry professionals will describe new techniques and best practices. The 2014 show drew more than 8,700 attendees representing 3,800 companies and communities.

The WWETT name was chosen because it includes all segments of the industry reached by COLE Publishing magazines, including Treatment Plant Operator and Municipal Sewer & Water. “We want those readers to know the show is theirs too,” says Jeff Bruss, COLE Publishing president.

Much to learn

Education kicks off the show’s first day (Monday), with more than 50 seminars given by experts from trade associations. Most notable for water and wastewater operators are seminar series by the Southern Section Collection Systems Committee (SSCSC) and the National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO). A highlight of the day will be an afternoon Women in Wastewater Roundtable.

Learning continues with seminars from exhibitors on Tuesday and Wednesday. WWETT courses may count toward continuing education credits — attendees can visit www.wwett.com for specifics by state.

The exhibit hall, open Tuesday through Thursday, includes more than 500 booths. Of special interest to operators are multiple technologies for inspecting, testing, cleaning and repairing water and sewer piping. Among these are trenchless rehabilitation methods like pipe bursting and various approaches to pipe lining for I&I control.

Entertaining, too

Attendees and families can expect red-carpet treatment from the city of Indianapolis, with its numerous museums, entertainment venues, shops and restaurants, many within easy walking distance of the Convention Center. With some 4,700 rooms in hotels connected by heated skyways to the Convention Center, weather will not be an issue.

The show includes the annual Industry Appreciation Party on Wednesday evening. 25-cent tap beers will be served, and country singer/songwriter Cole Swindell will give a free private concert. Swindell’s 2013 hit, “Chillin’ It,” reached the top spot on the country charts, and 2014’s “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight” made the Top 10.

Bigger and broader

Kendall hopes the show’s new identity opens the door to an even larger and more inclusive event. While proud of what the show has become, he says the time was right for an update. “Over the last several years, we realized that the former name no longer covered the entirety of the industry we’re reaching,” he says.

“It has been the Pumper Show for a long time, and that definitely isn’t a negative. To many of us, including me, it will always be the Pumper Show at heart. But it’s so much more, too, and now the name reflects that.

“Last year in Indianapolis, I called 30 wastewater service companies within a short drive of our trade show, and many said they weren’t planning to attend because they weren’t septic system pumpers. They thought the show wasn’t for them. We want them to know that it is.” Visit www.wwett.com for details and the latest schedule of events.