WorldWide Drilling Resource

Thoughts of My First Quarter 2019 Water Well Events by Jan Allen, Public Relations Professional, WorldWide Drilling Resource ® The first few months of each year are packed with conferences, conventions, annual meet- ings, and expos. This WWDR Team Member travelled to various parts of the U.S. covering some of those events. First on the schedule was the Oklahoma Ground Water Association Conference and Trade Show in Norman. Everyone was ready for the instructional seminars, as well as the opportunity to visit with exhibitors. This year, Associated Industries had a great exhibit of a mechanical calf-roping machine anyone could try out. A silent auction is held every year, and the items are exceptional, like this 2016 Cubs World Series Bryant ring and 1995 Cowboys Super Bowl ring. The Meet & Greet after the trade show was a great success, with the raffle drawings closing the evening. Next in my travels was the Utah Ground Water Association Conference & Expo at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino in Mesquite, Nevada. Great place for a vacation. The golf course is excellent, but watch out for the wildlife. While I was taking photos a year or two back, a road- runner decided he wanted to get in on the action. Sometimes the rabbits like to join in too. If golf isn’t your thing, the association also has a Skeet Shoot that draws quite a crowd. Now, to the reason everyone is here. The training sessions were well-attended and folks on the trade show floor were able to answer questions. Every- one enjoyed the banquet and the auction. Raffle drawings closed the evening and event. There’s nothing like a trip to Texas with WWDR Team Member Ronnie. We ventured to San Marcos for the Texas Ground Water Association Annual Convention & Trade Show. It was a great time meeting up with old friends. The seminars were packed and attendees were eager to see the exhibits. There were plenty of giveaways, as well as raffles. Auction items were plentiful and raised money for the scholarship fund. All in all, it was a great event! I’ll round out the month of January with a trip into the cold, cold north for the Minnesota Water Well Association Annual Convention & Trade Show in Brooklyn Park. In spite of the cold weather (-9ºF/-23ºC), attendance was good. The seminars were crowded and the product displays had lots of visitors. The banquet was a great success with awards being handed out, auction items sold, and raffle items drawn. Last, but not least, was casino night. Everyone enjoyed their evening. The month of February found Ronnie and me back in the cold north for the Michigan Ground Water Association Annual Conference / Fundamentals. This event was more about training and regulations than products, but there were sev- eral exhibitors to talk about new techniques or equipment. The event ended with a banquet where awards were given and the auction of the “Screen Lamp” was handled. This lamp stays with the winning bidder for one year, then is returned the next year to be reauctioned. All proceeds go to the scholarship fund. This year, the lamp auction raised the most it has ever reached. Next, the WWDR Team of Ronnie and I travelled to the Great Smoky Mountains for the Tennessee Water Wel l Association Annual Meeting & Trade Show. It was a great time for family and friends to meet and enjoy the sights and sounds of the surround- ing area. Seminars were well-attended and exhibitors were asked many questions on products. The banquet was followed by a scholarship auction. Lots of items went up for bid, from a crossbow for hunting to Easter baskets for the young, or young-at- heart. What thrills the soul is the next generation of drilling professionals who were present. WTR Skeet Shoot photo by Dave Worwood. 24 MAY 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®