A new event this September will give those involved in the wastewater industry an opportunity to not only view equipment but also see it in action.
The Wastewater Equipment Fair, sponsored by COLE Publishing, will be held Sept. 12 and 13 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The anticipated itinerary is simple: manufacturers displaying equipment and putting it to work in live demonstrations.
“The whole idea behind it is to give people an affordable place they can go and just run equipment,” says Brad Bisnette, the fair’s coordinator. “There’s no set demonstration schedule. It will be open for exhibitors to continually run their equipment, and people can come whenever to see what they want. The goal is to make it as simple as possible. That’s why we’re calling it a fair.”
From drain cleaning tools to vacuum trucks to relining systems, if it’s wastewater related there’s a place for it at the fair, Bisnette says.
“We talked about making it more focused but didn’t want to exclude anyone,” he says. “If people have a product related to the wastewater industry, we want them to be able to come.”
Exhibitors have the option of purchasing open or tented spaces, with cheaper rates available to those who secure space before May 1. Attendee registration is $20 before Sept. 10 and $30 after that date. Registration includes earplugs and safety glasses, and parking costs $6 per day.
The fair will run from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12 after move-in is completed in the morning. The second day will run 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The idea is to give people a chance to get packed up and get out by rush hour,” Bisnette says. “Basically it’s get in to see the equipment and get out as quickly as possible."
Bisnette says Milwaukee was chosen for its central location and accessibility to a lot of prospective exhibitors and attendees. After September, he says the goal is to take the Wastewater Equipment Fair on the road.
“We’ll see where it goes,” Bisnette says. “The potential is there to continue it and hold it in different locations. We want to bring equipment to the customers.”
For more information, visit www.weqfair.com.
