The Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo features the newest equipment in the industry and opportunities to network with peers, but it also has a strong education component. The 2014 Expo is no different, as a host of valuable educational opportunities and workshops are scheduled to help drain and sewer cleaning professionals enhance their businesses.

The Expo kicks off Monday, Feb. 24, 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), Portable Sanitation Association International (PSAI) and the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA).

The following days will feature a variety of additional workshops and roundtable-type discussions covering a range from safety and pipe lining to marketing, fleet tracking and going completely “paperless” in your business.

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

Seminars of interest to cleaners include:

Education Day, Monday, Feb. 24:

“Preventing Tank Truck Rollovers,” by John Conley, past president of the National Tank Truck Carriers trade association: Discuss efforts by the industry and government to eliminate tanker rollovers and other trucking safety and operations issues.

“What’s New with OSHA Safety Requirements,” by Anthony Kuritz, an experienced OSHA compliance officer in Indiana: Learn new GHS requirements for businesses, truck and driver safety guidelines and other regulations pertaining to workplace safety. 

“Nozzle Application: What, Why, Where, When and How?” by Duane Johnson, vice president of Affordable Pipeline Services: This class will look at a variety of cleaning situations and discuss the precise type of nozzle needed to efficiently clean in each of these situations.

“Understanding the Nuances of a Quality CCTV Inspection Program,” by Jim Aanderud, an experienced CCTV pipeline inspection operator: This class will clearly define the makeup of a quality pipeline inspection, and discuss the steps that must be taken to produce a superior video.

“In the Trenches with Trenchless Pipeline Repair and Renewal,” by Mark Hill, P.E., a registered civil engineer in California: This class takes a look at the benefits and drawbacks of some of the most common and innovative pipeline repair and renewal technologies currently on the market.

“Personal Safety,” by John Chadwell, the Western Regional Manager for EHS International: This class will provide an overview of industry safety issues such as workplace violence and personal safety, as well as the tools necessary to deal with the challenges of working with the public and with fellow employees.

“Stop It!” by Denis Pollak, one of the founding members of the California Water Environment Association Southern Section Collections System Committee: Participants will take a close look at plugging, and discuss its advantages and practical uses, as a valuable tool for CCTV, cleaning and rehabilitation projects.

“Getting the Most out of your Combination Unit,” by Rick Lewis, a 20-year veteran of the wastewater collections industry: Participants will define the key components of a combination unit and provide the necessary tools to maintain the truck and maximize its efficiency.

“Preparing for Your First High Pressure Waterjetting Job,” by Gary Toothe, a board-certified environmental safety and health trainer: Participants will explore what needs to happen before the wheels ever start rolling for that first (or any) waterblasting job.

“Vacuum Truck Operation and Safety,” by Gary Toothe: Participants will explore the basics of liquid vacuum truck operation and safety with materials from water up to flammable liquids.
“Hydroexcavation: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck,” by Neil McLean, a hydroexcavation consultant for companies throughout the United States and Canada: This program will discuss options like multiple wands and the right nozzle design to increase performance.

“Marketing on a Shoestring,” by Suzan Chin, the founder and chief marketing officer of Creative Raven, a marketing communications, design and production firm: Review five important marketing activities that can be accomplished on a modest budget in a relatively short period of time.

“Pipe Bursting – a Mature and Diverse Trenchless Technology,” by Matt Timberlake, vice president of Ted Berry Company Inc.; and Matt Werth, who has a background in engineering, estimating, sales and management of business related to trenchless technology: This presentation will describe current pipe bursting practices and assist those involved in pipeline replacement and/or rehabilitation projects to evaluate the capabilities of pipe bursting.

“Lateral Rehabilitation, What’s Available?” by Jacob Trapani, who has over 27 years of management and construction experience in the trenchless pipe rehabilitation industry: This session will offer an overview of all lateral and main/lateral connection rehabilitation technologies available.

Tuesday, Feb. 25:

“What’s Important for Your Company; Is it Size or Profit or Both?” by Duane Johnson: This class will look at some of the important questions that must be asked and analyzed before embarking in any future business growth.

“1 + 1 = 14: Cleaning and Inspection Equipment Working as an Entity,” by Jim Aanderud: Participants will look at the relationship between combination units and CCTV inspection vehicles, and discuss the importance of the working relationship between their crews.

“Gen Y + Gen X + Baby Boomers = #@$%???” by Jerard Nighorn of Lenzyme, who has 25 years of business management experience, including corporate hiring and training: Attendees will learn how to solve hiring problems, keep customers, collect receivables and communicate across generations.

“Get and Keep the Best Coworkers,” by David Heimer, chief operating officer for Service Roundtable: Heimer will show attendees how to build a recruiting pipeline, attract the kind of employees they want and keep them for years.

“Win, Win, Win in Residential Service Contracting,” by Bill Raymond, a licensed master plumber and co-owner of Frank & Lindy Plumbing, Heating & Cooling: Learn how to create a well-balanced company that wows its customers, nurtures employees and achieves financial goals.

“OSHA Confined Space and Fall Protection Untangled,” by Chris Cira, managing partner and president of MTech: This session presents a different and unique high-level overview of confined space, air monitoring and fall protection regulations.

“Nozzle Explanation and Selections,” by Scott Paquet, president/CEO of NozzTeq: Participants will discuss the different types of nozzles available on the market today, including how you make your selection and what to look for in a nozzle.

Wednesday, Feb. 26:

“Improving Profitability through Tracking,” by Clint Smith, strategic partner manager for CallSource: Learn how to get the best “bang for your buck” on the thousands you spend to get the phone to ring.

“Book More Calls – Wow More Customers,” by Brigham Dickinson, founder of a customer service and relationship sales training company called Power Selling Pros: Owners will learn to master a set of principles that will help them and their call-handling team book more calls and wow more customers over the phone.

“Advertising and Marketing for Service Companies,” by Jeff Bruss, president of COLE Publishing since 2003: Learn how to develop your brand, and the most economical and intelligent places to put it.

“7 Incredibly Effective Ways to Improve Your Sales,” by Ara Mahdessian of ServiceTitan, who has helped service businesses improve their marketing ROI, appointment booking performance and sales productivity: Attendees will take a look at the simple yet effective methods that the most successful contractors use to improve their sales.

“Sewer Cleaning 101,” by Ken Billingham, international product specialist for KEG GMBH, a German manufacturer of pipe cleaning tools and camera systems: This session discusses the understanding of how the crew, equipment and nozzles are integral to the successful completion of the task at hand.

“Underground Coatings – Restore Deteriorated Infrastructure,” by Stewart Nance, Quadex’s VP – Sales & Marketing Manager for concrete and epoxy coatings and the Interfit lateral connection rehabilitation system: Discuss how cementitious and epoxy liners, and the combination of both, have proven effective in permanently and economically restoring and protecting deteriorated structures, and thus eliminating infiltration.