Education is the foundation for all progress, and there's nowhere to build a better foundation than at the 2013 Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo. This year's Expo features one of the most expansive lineups of educational opportunities in the event's 33-year history.
First off is Expo Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25, which has grown greatly in scope and attendance over the years. Tracks of seminars are sponsored by a variety of professional organizations, including the National Association of Sewer Service Companies, WaterJet Technology Association and the Southern Section Collection Systems Committee. The full day of seminars includes many opportunities for sewer- and drain-cleaning professionals to earn continuing education credits toward state certification.
The following days will feature a variety of additional seminars covering a wide range of topics, from professional techniques in the field to business-building tips.
All of the education seminars, including a lineup of sessions presented in Spanish, will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in meeting rooms adjacent to the Pumper & Cleaner Expo exhibit halls. For more information on seminar times, locations and speakers, visit www.pumpershow.com.
Education Day seminars of interest to cleaners include the following:
Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25:
WaterJet Technology Association
"Safety & Efficiency – You Don't Have to Choose!" by Gary Toothe, training manager for FS Solutions: Learn about safe and efficient use of vacuum to keep your business productive and competitive.
"Selecting the Best Jetting Tip Doesn't Have to Be Scary,'' by Gary Toothe: Learn the factors in selecting the proper jetting tip for sewer, pipe, tube and surface cleaning.
"Hydroexcavation – The Non-Destructive Solution,'' by Benjamin Schmitt, product manager for Vactor Manufacturing: Learn the distinctions
between hydroexcavation and pneumatic excavation, and a review of who is
using the technology and applications.
"Understanding the Power: Physics of Vacuum and How it Works,'' by Phil Stein: Explore how vacuum is used to remove various liquids and solids, as well as the science and calculations related to everyday job situations.
"Safe and Proper Operation of Combination Machines,'' by Chris Cira, president of M Tech: Learn safe and proper use, care and maintenance of combination machines, including key aspects of the NASSCO guidelines.
Southern Section Collection Systems Committee
"Seven Powerful Tools for CCTV Inspection Perfection," by Mark Hill, senior project manager, RFB Consulting: Take a "big picture" look at CCTV inspection and learn to avoid common mistakes that frustrate management.
"Nozzle Science – The Next Generation of Tier 3 Nozzles and Beyond," by Rick Lewis: Learn about specific nozzles and their design, as well as their precise uses and alternative applications.
"Pipeline Relining and Rehabilitation Solutions," by Dave Badgley: Discuss infiltration, exfiltration, roots, corrosion and structural defects in collection systems along with the four basic styles of technology used for mainline replacement and rehabilitation of pipelines and lateral connections.
National Association of Sewer Service Companies
"Ultraviolet Manhole Rehabilitation," by Bob O'Connor and Tim Back, president and engineer with Municipal and Contractors Sealing Products: Review ultraviolet curable resins for use in manhole rehabilitation, including joint and invert repair, corrosion protection and as a water sealer.
"Convey Your Stormwater and Plug Your Holes," by C. Timothy Fallara, City of Columbus project manager, and John P. Schroeder, civil and environmental engineer: This session will discuss achieving significant inflow and infiltration reduction to restore system capacity, as well as reducing SSOs/CSOs, and related topics.
"Jet Up! Sewer and Storm Water Cleaning," by Scott Paquet, president and CEO of NozzTeq Inc.: Learn proper jetting techniques, hose line loss charts, pipe and hose sizes, jet size, and how to test truck equipment.
"Rethinking Collection Maintenance With the Sewer Line Rapid Assessment Tool or SL-RAT," by Alex Churchill, CEO of InfoSense: Get to know the SL-RAT (sewer line rapid assessment tool) and how it fills the gap between visual inspection and robotic cameras by identifying potential pipe blockages over large portions of wastewater collection systems.
"Pipeline Assessment Certification Program (PACP) 2013 Update Workshop," by Ted DeBoda, executive director of NASSCO: Get a look at proposed updates to the PACP, MACP and LACP manuals. Attendees are invited to make suggestions to improve the next version of the program.
Dozens more seminars will be held throughout Tuesday and Wednesday, covering everything from trenchless point repairs to utility line locating. There's a lot of knowledge to be gained, and your business will benefit.
Better Business
A popular education feature at the Expo is the business seminar program. This year’s highlight is the all-day seminar, “2013 – Your Best Year Ever,” given by business coach Scott Hunter on Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25. In previous Expo appearances, Hunter has drawn full rooms with his easygoing yet inspiring style. Other general business seminars:
Education Day, Monday, Feb. 25
“The Art and Science of Business Management,” by Bill Raymond of Frank & Lindy Plumbing, Heating & Cooling: Learn how to rid your business of “money thieves” and meet revenue and profit projections.
“The Business of Contracting,” by Dan Friesen of the Nexstar Network: Discover the success secrets of Frank Blau Jr. for building a healthy, strong, profitable company.
“Pass or Fail – Is Your Company Going to Make It? How to Ensure Financial Success in These Competitive Times,” by Jim Aanderud, president of Innerline Engineering: Discuss methods for avoiding financial crisis and ways to consistently earn a profit, as well as accounting basics, correctly pricing each job and practical ways to cut costs, raise productivity and increase profitability.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
“New Untapped Techniques to Capture Today’s Customers,” by Jerard Nighorn of Lenzyme: Learn seven steps to capturing and keeping customers and getting customers to market for you at no cost.
“10 Steps to Marketing Success,” by Suzan Chin of Creative Raven: Discuss branding, promotion, publicity, advertising, social marketing, electronic communication and more.
“Cloud Computing for Small Business and the Field Service Industry,” by Oren Shatken of FoundOPS: Explore how cloud computing can improve your productivity.
“Don’t Win the Price Game,” by Frank Taciak of C.A. Taciak & Sons: Discover how to get out of the low-price trap, charge for the real value of your services, and operate more profitably.
“Make the Phone Ring With Low-Cost Marketing,” by David Heimer of Service Roundtable: Discover proven techniques to attract customers and recruit top employees without print, TV or radio advertising.
“Local Marketing on the World Wide Web,” by Jim King of COLE, Inc.: Discover how to market effectively on the Internet through searches, social media or email.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
“Save Money – Move Your Business to the Cloud,” by Joel Smith of Clear Computing: Learn the types of cloud computing, how they affect your business, and the pros and cons of using this resource.
“Morally Bankrupt,” by Dina Dwyer-Owens of Mr. Rooter/The Dwyer Group: Learn how to Live R.I.C.H. by embracing Respect, Integrity and Customer focus, and Have fun in the process.
“Measuring Success Matters: Your Ads, Your Agents, Your Technicians,” by Ara Mahdessian and Vahe Kuzoyan of Service Titans: Spend an hour learning how to focus on generating more leads, booking more appointments, and closing more sales, and why measuring success is the key to all three.
