Learning Opportunities Await

The education offerings at WWETT 2015 provide insight and information for sewer and drain cleaners.
Learning Opportunities Await
Education Day, slated for Monday, Feb. 23, will kick off four consecutive days of learning opportunities at the 2015 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show. Courses are taught by industry experts and cover everything from pipe rehabilitation technologies to employee recruitment and retention.

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The Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show in Indianapolis not only features the newest equipment in the industry and opportunities to network with peers, but also an unmatched focus on educating attendees. The 2015 show will host a series of valuable educational opportunities and workshops to help sewer and drain cleaning professionals enhance their knowledge base, and in turn help their business.

WWETT 2015 kicks off Monday, Feb. 23, with the annual Education Day. Tracks of workshops are sponsored by a variety of professional organizations, including the National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT), National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), Southern Section Collection Systems Committee (SSCSC), National Association of Sewer Service Companies (NASSCO), National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA), Waterjet Technology Association/Industrial & Municipal Cleaning Association (WJTA-IMCA) and the Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA).

The following days will feature a variety of additional workshops and roundtable-type discussions covering a range of topics from nozzle selection to pipeline rehabilitation technology.

All workshops will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in meeting rooms adjacent to the exhibit hall. For more information on seminar times, locations and speakers, visit www.wwett.com.

Seminars of interest to water and sewer and drain cleaner and rehabilitation specialists include:

Education Day, Monday, Feb. 23:

Pre-Trip Inspections, by Joe Zito, the sergeant of a commercial vehicle unit with a major metropolitan area police department with jurisdiction in two states. This session will cover walk-around inspection and completing a driver vehicle inspection report.

Hours of Service (HOS) Overview, by Joe Zito. This session is a general knowledge overview of part 395 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and to whom the regulations apply when operating a commercial motor vehicle.

Roadside Inspections, by Joe Zito. This session will cover how to be prepared and understand what will take place during a roadside inspection. Topics include brakes, lamps, securement and safe loading, as well as what you can do to better prepare a driver on what to say and do during the inspection.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Create Your Personal Brand and Strategic Network for Success in 5 Easy Steps, by Suzan Chin, the founder and chief marketing officer of Creative Raven. This session is designed for seasoned business pros and startups alike. It will cover five key elements for personal branding and creating a circle of influence to build business and develop useful and mutually beneficial relationships.

Effective Website Design and Engaging Customers in the Digital Age, by Suzan Chin. Review elements to consider and implement when designing and building an effective website to meet the needs of today’s demanding online audience, such as developing a budget, a plan of action, strategy, timelines and content development.

Tapping into the Power of Social Media and Content Marketing, by Suzan Chin. Review the pros and cons of the various facets of social media to help department leaders perform due diligence and make good decisions for online marketing initiatives. The discussion will cover content marketing, how it works, when it should and can be used, and how to utilize it to maximize marketing advantage.

A Trucker’s Guide to Washington Speak, by John Conley, who retired at the end of 2013 as president of National Tank Truck Carriers and remains active in tank truck industry issues through his communications company ConleyComm LLC. This session will help translate the acronyms and mysterious language of the Washington bureaucracy that truck operators are likely to encounter in regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, searches for information or at conference presentations.

Cargo Tank Safety and Regulatory Report, by John Conley. This session will focus on tank truck specific safety issues such as preventing rollovers and deaths/injuries involving workers who enter or repair cargo tanks.

Compliance with Part 180 and Preparing for a Tank Truck CT Shop Audit, by John Conley. Department of Transportation regulation 49CFR180 details test and inspection requirements for specification cargo tanks. This session will cover the various tests and inspections, requirements for testers and inspectors, and recordkeeping.

Hydroexcavation – Tools to Stay Current in a Changing Marketplace, by Neil McLean, who serves as a hydroexcavation consultant for companies throughout the United States and Canada with Hydro Excavation Consulting Unlimited. As the industry and government adds more regulations, drivers have to be knowledgeable and flexible to stay profitable. Water management, debris management, digging procedures and increasing production will be covered.

Maximizing Productivity on Vacuum/Air Mover Projects, by Gary W. Toothe, CET, a board-certified environmental safety and health trainer through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Discuss how everything from the man at the end of the hose through the operator can have a direct impact on the bottom line. Proper nozzle selection, friction and restriction in hose and pipe runs, and how to make sure an air mover is at its best before it leaves the yard will be covered.

Waterblast Safety Can Enhance Productivity, Quality and Profits! by Gary W. Toothe. Discuss the safety solutions that not only prevent handicapping productivity, but actually increase it. Staged cleaning, waterblast myth busting and the importance of proper water filtration will be covered.

Combination Vacuum Unit Operation Overview, by Chris Lopez, president/CEO of Municipal Collection System Consulting. From the pre-trip inspection to complex operation, discuss ways to enhance a combination unit’s overall efficiency and how to implement cost-effective operational techniques.

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt (Small Business From a Hands-On Perspective), by Jim Aanderud, president and owner of Innerline Engineering. Look at the financial challenges in business and discuss ways to increase volume, profit and cash flow. Also discuss the challenges of family-owned businesses, and look at ways to inspire and challenge employees to be key players in the organization.

So You Think You Are the Best? CCTV Inspection In Its Highest Form, by Duane Johnson, vice president of Affordable Pipeline Services. Review the difference between “Pipeline Inspections” and “Pipeline Assessments,” and identify the different types of inspections and the technology available today, some of which you may already have but may not be using to its full capability. Examine inspection software and discuss how it can add value to your services.

Avoid the Pitfalls – Trenchless Pipeline Repair and Renewal, by Mark Hill, senior project manager with Michael Baker Corp. Discuss the successes as well as the failures of major rehabilitation projects, and analyze the reasons behind both.

Nozzles, Nozzles, Nozzles, by Rick Lewis, who has over 23 years of experience in the wastewater collections field, and consults with contractors and cities with wastewater collections equipment and its use in day-to-day operations. This class will help you select the nozzles that best fit your cleaning needs.

When, Why and How to Defeat Infiltration Cost-Effectively, by Donald Rigby, who is responsible for strategy and execution of Avanti’s marketing and education programs. Chemical grout is a complement to all other trenchless technologies. Three case histories with ROI facts and figures serve as proof statements for small communities, medium-sized sewer districts and large metropolitan areas.

New Opportunities in Small-Pipe Relining and Reinstatement, by Troy Miller, who for the past five years has been in product development at TRY TEK. Discuss some of the opportunities and challenges that are present in the small-pipe relining market, including interior and exterior laterals as well as vertical vent stacks. Several case studies will be presented providing a solid field perspective of working with small-pipe cutting systems.

Pipeline Cleaning Best Practices, by John Manijak, business development/project manager for National Power Rodding Corp./Carylon Corporation. This presentation will cover a history of sewer cleaning tools and methods used. Attendees will take away an understanding of why it is important to choose the proper pump size and nozzle configuration when cleaning sewers, as well as what situations may arise that call for the use of old techniques.

Large-Diameter Pipe and Drain Rehabilitation Technologies, by John Moody, who has worked with Heitkamp Inc. since 2010. This session will cover condition assessment and the decision-making process and discuss the benefits and limitations of HDPE, PVC, CIPP and steel pipe. Other topics include dealing with voids and grouting, sliplining, centrifugally spun cement and spiral wound applications.

OSHA Regulations and Smart Business, by Doug Lassiter, the executive director and lobbyist for the North Carolina Septic Tank Association. Learn the basics on OSHA, what to keep in mind and what to keep on hand in the field.

Employee Retention and Recruitment, by Beverly Lewis, a 15-year veteran of marketing in the sanitation industry. Attendees will discuss why the wastewater industry is a great place to work and how to create a strategy for both recruiting new workers and retaining existing staff.

Grow or Go! Why Most Companies Fail to Grow Effectively and What You Can Do to Keep Your Company From Failing, by J. Kelly Newcomb, principal/owner of i.e.Brand, an internal/external branding company, along with Newcomb Consulting Group, an organizational development firm specializing in helping family-owned and privately held businesses reach their growth goals. In this session, participants will clearly understand why 90 percent of organizations fail to successfully realize their growth plans. By utilizing the power of the 80/20 principle and other organizational practices, companies will not only learn how to identify obstacles to growth, they will gain insight and direction on what to do about these obstacles.

Target Marketing: How to Effectively and Efficiently Grow Your Sales, by J. Kelly Newcomb. This session will provide participants a proven process and set of tools to effectively and efficiently grow sales.

Effective Branding and How it Can Help Your Business, by J. Kelly Newcomb. In this session, participants will understand the basics of branding and how effective branding can help companies grow their sales and improve their bottom line.

Business Basics 101, by Ellen Rohr, who helps business owners turn their ideas into successful businesses. She is a columnist and contributor to many publications and she has written four business-basics books. Learn how to lay claim to your financial power, and how to read and use financial reports to keep score in the game of business.

Build the Business You Really Want, by Ellen Rohr. Learn how to develop a simple strategy for a powerful business plan that will drive you in the direction of your goals.

Women in Wastewater Roundtable Discussion, featuring Lara Mottolo, Therese E. Wheaton, Shanna Sands and Joyce Gresh. The panel of professionals from different facets of the industry will address specific product and service questions, the future of the industry, as well as general managerial and career building advice for those starting out in the environmental services.

Lobbying, by Eric Casey, executive director of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association. Participants will learn why it’s important to be politically active and some of the ways they can become involved.


Tuesday, Feb. 24:

Best Installation Practices for Trouble-Free Pump Controls, by Brett Wilfong, distributor sales manager, and Mark McCollum, regional sales manager for the western United States for SJE-Rhombus. This presentation will discuss the best methods for installing wastewater pump control panels and float switches, things that can lead to premature pump system failures and troubleshooting pump systems when problems do occur.

New Trends and Technology in Equipment for Excavation Safety, by Mike Ross, shoring specialist and national training director at Efficiency Production Inc. This presentation covers current and emerging trends for excavation safety in urban, residential and congested environments; options and requirements for excavation safety, including OSHA standards; and specific new techniques, technology and safety equipment available to general contractors and subcontractors.

Best Practices: Use, Care and Repair of High-Pressure Sewer Cleaning Hose, by Bernie Hengels, who has been with UEMSI for the past nine years and currently works with OEM and key accounts, and Bob Glick, who assists OEMs and distributors with sewer hose questions for UEMSI. This presentation covers how to identify the manufacturer of high-pressure sewer cleaning hose, how to identify the working pressure of the hose, proper usage and protection techniques, what to look for as indicators of wear and damage to your hose, and how to properly mend your hose in the field and the shop.

How to Position Your Company in the Market Today, by Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of Gold Medal Service, and owner of the service-business mentoring firm, ServiceKey. Discuss how identifying your target audience, finding a unique selling proposition and establishing an effective marketing strategy can help position your company exactly where you want it in the market.

Six Proven Tactics to Generate Leads and Turn Them Into Revenue, by Heather McLeod, brand manager for Mr. Rooter, and Dianna Worthington, franchise consultant and training manager for Mr. Rooter. This session is designed to give attendees straightforward advice on how to make the phone ring with qualified leads and tactics to turn those phone calls into viable, consistent sales dollars.

Growth by Acquisition or Exiting Gracefully: Buying or Selling a Septic or Sewer Business, by A. Rhodes Wilson, a successful businessman with over 40 years of experience in positions requiring creative thinking, detailed planning and faultless execution. This session will help identify prospective buyers or sellers and make a successful approach; apply appropriate valuation factors in determining a fair offer price; understand potential pitfalls of the sale and how to identify and understand typical sales terms and conditions; structure the deal; and know what to expect at closing and during the transition.

Drain Cleaning Methods - Then and Now, by Jake Saltzman, worldwide technical director for Picote Solutions Inc. This session will cover the various methods used for cleaning small-diameter piping in a range of pipe materials and the most common types of blockages.

The Physics of Pipe Cleaning Tools and How I Make it Work for Me, by Kurt Rivoire, sales and marketing manager at Duebre/Brendle Nozzles in Dettingen, Germany, and owner of Jet Clean Tools USA. Analyze the physics of the nozzle and the influence of pressure and flow on it. It pays to have the right nozzle with the right setup and save resources.

Lateral Lining – Are You Using the Right Tool? by Leke Osi, president of lateral lining manufacturer Easy Liner. This session describes the industry standard methodology and explains some of the shortcomings and challenges of using a standard method on nonstandard situations.

GPS Tracking: Hype Vs. Reality, by Richard Banks, national sales director for US Fleet Tracking. Learn what matters most when making the decision to implement GPS tracking within your core business functions. Understand factors such as refresh rates, leasing hardware versus purchasing it, contracts or no contracts and features that really help you manage your mobile workforce.

Wireless Controls in the Waterjet Industry: Sacrificing Safety for Convenience, by Terry Gromes Sr. and Terry Gromes Jr. of Terydon Inc. This session will be an assessment of the hands-free initiative in the contractor market of the high-pressure waterjetting/waterblasting industry. There will be a discussion of safety versus convenience, productivity and cost-effectiveness.


Wednesday, Feb. 25:

Integrating Temperature Sensor Technology Within Lateral Pipeline CIPP Installations, by Jason Mathey, director of research and development and training manager for LMK Technologies. Municipalities, design engineers and contractors want verification that the resin used in the CIPP process has properly cured. New thermal sensor fiber technology is now being used in conjunction with lateral installations with great success. This is allowing for better documentation for QA/QC, higher physical properties of the finished product and a reduction of failed liners. A case study will be provided.

CIPP Calibration and Vacuuming, by John Heisler, owner of Quik Lining Systems Inc. This session will discuss the many methods of getting the resin in place to allow it to be installed into the host pipe. It will also explore the best practices adopted by the industry and embraced by the ASTM organization.

Extending Life Expectancies with Corrosion-Resistant Coatings and Linings, by Kevin Morris, a 22-year employee of Sherwin-Williams, with the past 13 years dedicated to the Protective and Marine Coatings Division. This presentation will discuss the primary corrosion mechanisms occurring in today’s sewer collection systems and wastewater treatment plant environments, and how corrosion-resistant coating and lining systems can be employed to extend the life of new structures or to rehabilitate and extend the life of existing structures.

Team Building for Profit, by Don Daub, electrical engineer and highly successful certified business and technology trainer and consultant. The purpose of this class is to coach the contractor on the importance of bringing the whole team together, on the same page, to meet the same goals. This class identifies time management skills, personality types, basic group dynamics and team cohesiveness, which are some of the most important keys to success.

Ten Common Sense Ways to Grow and Improve Your Business, by Lane Post, president and founder of both Pacific Drain Service and Arrow Pipeline Repair. This talk stresses some of the intangibles in small-business ownership such as passion, personality and perseverance, and suggests a return to old-fashioned values aided by opportunities now available through electronic technology.

Setting Expectations – The Key to Sales and Customer Satisfaction, by Matthew Sutton, one of the founders of RapidView IBAK, and the vice president of sales and marketing. We all have expectations. Effectively managing these expectations can increase your business, make your customers much happier and avoid unnecessary conflict.



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