Expo education offerings provide the latest information on technology, safety and business building for environmental and support service professionals.


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 plethora of valuable educational opportunities and workshops are scheduled to help you improve your business.

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 of topics from hydroexcavation to personal safety, fleet tracking and going completely “paperless” in your office.

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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 gas, oil and mining contractors 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.

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“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.

“An Introduction to Entering the Federal Government Contracting Arena,” by Terri Baldwin Flanigan, founder of Phoenix Site Solutions, a consulting company that assists event organizers with planning their portable sanitation and site equipment needs: This session will help contractors understand the contract and its requirements, walk them through the process of putting a bid together, and a list of beneficial websites pertaining to government contracts.

“Why Do We Care About Soils?,” by Randy Miles, a soil scientist on the faculty of the University of Missouri Department of Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences: A discussion of critical soil properties such as color, texture and structure, and their direct or indicator role in treating, dispersing and recycling, will be presented.

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“Designing for Tough Sites,” by John Buchanan, an associate professor in the Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science Department at the Univer­sity of Tennessee: This session will discuss the decision process to determine the appropriate system configuration for various site and soil conditions.

“Wastewater and Soils: Clean It Up AND Get It To Go Away,” by Randy Miles: This session will focus on dispersing effluent in the soil treatment component to encourage unsaturated flow, providing the ability for greater contact with soil particle surfaces while allowing oxygen in the larger soil pores, thus greater treatment than under saturated flow conditions.

“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.

“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 on 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.

“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.

“Resurgence of Chemical Grout Industry: Niche Business Opportunities,” by Richard Schantz, P.E., of the Aries Grout Boot Camp, and Donald Rigby, Director of Marketing for Avanti International: This presentation will include an overview about small business opportunities doing specialty grouting in the utility and construction industry.

“Fiber Optic Temperature Sensing Technology for CIPP Cure Quality Control,” by Don Barnhart, Janssen Technology Product Manager for Pipeline Renewal Technologies: This session will discuss how fiber optic technology offers a quantum leap in temperature resolution to assist contractors in revealing and overcoming heat sinks inhibiting cure.

Tuesday, Feb. 25:

“Don’t Fear the Shapefile,” by Mark Hill, a Senior Project Manager with Michael Baker Corp., where he has led the Pipeline Assessment Group: This class will address what to do with GIS mapping data, how to import it into common CCTV inspection software and how to link data to it for a submittal.

“What’s Important for Your Company; Is it Size, or Profit or Both?,” by Duane Johnson,Vice President of Affordable Pipeline Services: 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 One 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.

“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, and a master trainer with the Nexstar Network: Learn how to create a well-balanced company that wows its customers, nurtures employees and achieves their financial goals. So often one or more of the three are missing.

“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.

“Air Monitoring Application for the Liquid Waste Industry,” by Ed Fitzgerald, who has over 37 years of experience in confined space entry, fall protection, OSHA compliance and air monitoring instruction: This program will outline the application and use of air monitoring equipment for confined-space and area monitors as it applies to the liquid waste industry.

“Taking the Mystery out of Vacuum Truck Operation,” by William Akins, manager of Vac-Con Services: This program will outline the different applications of various vacuum trucks (combination machines, hydroexcavators and industrial machines), and then give a detailed overview of industrial vacuum trucks, their components and capabilities.

“The Value of DOT Certification for Vacuum Trucks,” by Anne Brantley, director of product development for Wastequip’s mobile division: In this session attendees will discuss the purpose of DOT certification to strength a truck’s tank and bumper to prevent spillage of hazardous materials during rollover accidents or rear-end collisions. 

“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 of CallSource: Learn how to get the best “bang for your buck” on the thousands you spend to get the phone to ring. Timing, tone and confidence all play large roles in earning the caller’s trust.

“Advertising and Marketing for Service Companies,” by Jeff Bruss, President of COLE Publishing: Learn how to develop your brand and the most economical and intelligent places to put it. Topics include phone book advertising, social media, Internet, newspapers and more.

“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.

“Right Sizing Your Pump System,” by Jason Reading, sales manager for National Vacuum Equipment: Attendees will discuss the process for evaluating an application and determining what would be the correct system for use.

“Septic Drainfield Restoration,” by Mark Reynolds, CEO/President of RCS II, Inc. and Municipal Sales, Inc.: According to the US EPA 90 percent of all septic failures occur in the drainfield. What are the reasons systems fail? This session will discuss the steps to solve these issues.


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