What a Show! Details from the First AnnualW They said it couldn’t be done; a live trade show is impossible right now. The determinedWWDR Teamproved them all wrong, thanks to those who donned their face coverings and traveled in the pouring rain to attend the First AnnualWorldWide DownHome DrillFest™ in Branson, Missouri, in October. It wasn’t easy. There were plenty of rules and hoops to jump through, but we made it happen and did it with safety in mind. Everyone (staff, attendees, and exhibitors alike) had their temperature taken numerous times a day; used a ton of hand sanitizer; avoided handshaking; wore a face mask, shield, or gaiter; and all enjoyed the camaraderie we’ve been missing this year. The rain was falling in Branson, Missouri, as theWWDR Teamarrived early in the week, and it didn’t stop for three days. This, however, did not stop people from coming out and enjoying the event. Everyone was excited to see each other; they enjoyed attending the educational seminars, listening to the riveting keynote speakers, visiting with vendors at the booths, and looking at the rigs and equipment on display. The event began with continuing education courses which provided attendees with an opportunity to learn more about safety, well development, and mud rotary-based drilling, as well as first-aid, fire safety tips, and tips for profitable business growth. Ron Peterson took the stage first and gave everyone a detailed history of the water well industry including the evolution of drilling fluids, grouts, and polymers. He also had some great tips for proper planning and setting clear goals to make it easier to achieve great results. Everyone was excited to see The Rig Doctor, Fred McAninch, and learn more about drill rig safety. He explained the importance of performing regular maintenance and how to get the most out of your rig. After all, “Aworking rig pays the bills, but downtime costs money.” Chris Cutter, better known as Piglet, gave two educational sessions; the first was on mud rotary-based advanced drilling. The second was an interactive question and answer session covering drilling, pumps, and well development. Both courses provided valuable information to those in attendance. Ray Roerick was able to provide insight into the benefits for using downhole video cameras. He explained the different types of cameras on the market, how to see in cloudy water, using your camera for fishing tools out of a well, and even how to use your company’s downhole camera as a new source of revenue. WWDR ’s Troy Cunningham and Wade Jones jumped into action to give a seminar on first aid, fire safety, and basic jobsite protection. WWDRContributing Writer Tim Connor spoke to attendees about critical traits for profitable business growth. He discussed the importance of keeping in touch with customers and how to maintain positive employee engagement, giving the audience new tools for success. The rain didn’t slow down the Ladies’ Excursion which included a trip to lively Branson. The group visited the famous Dick’s 5 & 10, a historic landmark filled with treasures from the past. Then it was off to lunch at Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar. After lunch, the ladies took a trip to Mount Pleasant Winery and sampled some of the local aged specialities. They also took a Wine 101 class, which covered how to pair wines with different foods, the storage and life expectancy of wines, ideal temperatures, even special wine terms. It was a great time for all. Later in the evening, it was time for the Welcome Gathering, which gave everyone a chance to cut loose and have a little fun. In addition to the live performance by Nicole Starling and Ernest Garza, the crowd was treated to a karaoke contest. It was a great way to kick off the show! Karaoke The Rig Doctor WWDRphotos Ray Roerick Chris “Piglet” Cutter Ron Peterson Tim Connor Troy and Wade
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=