The Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show in Indianapolis features more than 100 seminars to help plumbing industry professionals enhance their knowledge base, and in turn help their businesses.
WWETT 2015 kicks off Monday, Feb. 23, with Education Day. The following days will feature a variety of additional workshops and discussions covering a range of topics from drain cleaning to septic tank maintenance to small-business branding.
All workshops will be held at the Indiana Convention Center in meeting rooms adjacent to the exhibit hall. For more information on seminar times, locations and speakers, visit www.wwett.com.
Seminars of interest to plumbing industry professionals include:
Education Day, Monday, Feb. 23:
“Environmental Impact Study: Effects of Water Softeners on Septic Tank Performance,” by Eric Yeggy, director of Technical Affairs for the Water Quality Association in Lisle, Ill.: The seminar will cover recent research being conducted through the Water Quality Association on the impact of water softeners on septic tank performance.
“A Study of Microbiological Induced Corrosion,” by Claude Goguen, the National Precast Concrete Association’s director of sustainability and technical education: Purdue University’s two-year study on microbiologically induced corrosion will be discussed. Participants will look at the next steps of this initiative and what NPCA members are doing to build tanks that will withstand MIC.
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Create Your Personal Brand and Strategic Network for Success in 5 Easy Steps,” by Suzan Chin, founder and chief marketing officer of Creative Raven: This session is designed for seasoned business pros and startups alike. It will cover five key elements for personal branding and creating a circle of influence to build business and develop useful and mutually beneficial relationships.
“Effective Website Design and Engaging Customers in the Digital Age,” by Suzan Chin: Review elements to implement when designing and building a website to meet the needs of today’s demanding online audience, such as developing a budget, a plan of action, strategy, timelines and content development.
“Tapping into the Power of Social Media and Content Marketing,” by Suzan Chin: Review the pros and cons of various social media to help department leaders perform due diligence and make good decisions for online marketing initiatives. The discussion will cover content marketing, how it works, when it should and can be used, and how to utilize it to maximize advantage.
“Compliance with Part 180 and Preparing for a Tank Truck CT Shop Audit,” by John Conley: Department of Transportation regulation 49CFR180 details test and inspection requirements for specification cargo tanks. This session will cover various tests and inspections, requirements for testers and inspectors, and recordkeeping.
“Maximizing Productivity on Vacuum/Air Mover Projects,” by Gary W. Toothe, an environmental safety and health trainer through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals: Discuss how all technicians can have a direct impact on the bottom line. Proper nozzle selection, friction and restriction in hose and pipe runs, and how to make sure an air mover is at its best before it leaves the yard will be covered.
“Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt (Small Business From a Hands-on Perspective),” by Jim Aanderud, president and owner of Innerline Engineering: Look at the financial challenges in business and discuss ways to increase volume, profit and cash flow. Also discuss the challenges of family-owned businesses, and look at ways to inspire and challenge employees to be key players in the organization.
“So You Think You Are the Best? CCTV Inspection In Its Highest Form,” by Duane Johnson, vice president of Affordable Pipeline Services: Identify the different types of inspections and the technology available today, and examine inspection software and how it can add value to your services.
“Nozzles, Nozzles, Nozzles,” by Rick Lewis, a consultant to contractors and cities that operate wastewater collections equipment: This class will help you select nozzles to best fit individual cleaning needs.
“New Opportunities in Small-Pipe Relining and Reinstatement,” by Troy Miller, an engineer in product development at TRY TEK: Discuss some of the opportunities and challenges that are present in the small-pipe relining market, including interior and exterior laterals as well as vertical vent stacks.
“Rules & Regulations with New Technologies and Working with Regulators,” by Anthony Smithson, consultant and former director of environmental health in Lake County, Ill.: This session will focus on working with regulators and regulations that are outdated, inflexible and built on unfounded assumptions.
“OSHA Regulations and Smart Business,” by Doug Lassiter, executive director and lobbyist for the North Carolina Septic Tank Association: Learn the basics about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), what to keep in mind and what to keep on hand in the field.
“Sales & Marketing with New Technologies,” by Doug Lassiter: Learn what to keep in mind for your sales and marketing plan. Special consideration will be given to integrating new technologies and services into existing sales and marketing plans and strategies.
“A Great Customer Experience,” by Beverly Lewis, a marketing expert: This seminar will challenge attendees to think about company organizational issues in a new way and learn some best practices for creating a better customer experience.
“Employee Retention and Recruitment,” by Beverly Lewis: Discuss why the industry is a great place to work and how to create a strategy for both recruiting new workers and retaining existing staff.
“Sizing Guidelines for New or Replacement Sewage Pumps,” by Deron Oberkorn, corporate product development manager for the Zoeller Company: This session will discuss general and technical information on the selection and sizing of effluent pumps in onsite waste treatment systems.
“Backup Battery and Combination Pump Systems Evaluation and Installation,” by Alan Schulman, founder and CEO of Glentronics: This presentation focuses on the value of having a backup unit for the primary sump pump. It will answer the questions associated with the available options such as battery-operated, inverter-operated or water-powered pumps.
“Specifying Pumps: Why Do Pumps Fail?” by Jeff Hawks, president at Champion Pump Company: Review the differences between sump, effluent and sewage pump applications, discussing various types of construction and design used such as motors, bearings, impellers, seals and cord entrances, and touch on the different types of switches used in pumping applications.
“Grow or Go! Why Most Companies Fail to Grow Effectively and What You Can Do to Keep Your Company From Failing,” by J. Kelly Newcomb, principal/owner of i.e.Brand and Newcomb Consulting Group: Participants will understand why 90 percent of organizations fail to realize their growth plans. By utilizing the power of the 80/20 principle and other organizational practices, companies will learn to identify and overcome obstacles to growth.
“Target Marketing: How to Effectively and Efficiently Grow Your Sales,” by J. Kelly Newcomb. This session will provide participants with a proven process and tools to grow sales.
“Effective Branding and How It Can Help Your Business,” by J. Kelly Newcomb. Participants will understand the basics of branding and how effective branding can help companies grow their sales and improve profitability.
“Business Basics 101,” by Ellen Rohr, business-building author and consultant: Learn how to lay claim to your financial power, and how to read and use financial reports to keep score in the game of business.
“Build the Business You Really Want,” by Ellen Rohr: Learn how to develop a simple strategy for a powerful business plan that will drive you toward your goals.
“Septic Tank Safety – Lethal Lids,” by Pat Mulhall, vice president of sales at Polylok: This session will focus on the often-overlooked safety component of septic tank installation and maintenance, including a discussion of available safety measures and the benefits of putting safety first.
“Time Dosing,” by Tom W. Ashton, an environmental health specialist, soils scientist, onsite evaluator, and alternative onsite system operator in Virginia: With a concentration on smaller flows, application of system tools to mitigate various facilities, use and soil/site conditions will be reviewed, including preliminary design calculations and treatment/dispersal train configurations.
Tuesday, Feb. 24:
“Soils, Design, O & M: What Every Installer Should Know,” by Brendan Cory, owner of BSC Environmental: Explore soil evaluation and water tables and how those evaluations play a role in the sizing and siting onsite wastewater treatment systems.
“How to Position Your Company in the Market Today,” by Mike Agugliaro, co-owner of Gold Medal Service, and owner of the service-business mentoring firm, ServiceKey: Discuss how identifying a target audience, finding a unique selling proposition and establishing an effective marketing strategy can help strongly position a company in the market.
“Six Proven Tactics to Generate Leads and Turn Them Into Revenue,” by Heather McLeod, brand manager, and Dianna Worthington, franchise consultant and training manager for Mr. Rooter: This session gives straightforward advice on making the phone ring with qualified leads and tactics to turn those phone calls into viable, consistent sales dollars.
“Growth by Acquisition or Exiting Gracefully: Buying or Selling a Septic or Sewer Business,” by A. Rhodes Wilson, a business consultant: This session will help identify prospective buyers or sellers and make a successful approach; apply appropriate valuation factors; understand potential pitfalls of the sale and identify and understand typical sales terms and conditions; structure the deal; and know what to expect at closing and during the transition.
“Drain Cleaning Methods - Then and Now,” by Jake Saltzman, worldwide technical director for Picote Solutions: Cover the various methods used for cleaning small-diameter piping in a range of pipe materials and the most common types of blockages. Current cleaning methods and an introduction to some European cleaning techniques will be discussed.
“The Physics of Pipe Cleaning Tools and How I Make it Work for Me,” by Kurt Rivoire, sales and marketing manager at Duebre/Brendle Nozzles in Dettingen, Germany, and owner of Jet Clean Tools USA: Analyze the physics of the nozzle and the influence of pressure and flow on it. It pays to have the right nozzle with the right setup and save resources.
“Lateral Lining – Are You Using the Right Tool?” by Leke Osi, president of Easy Liner: This session describes the industry standard methodology and explains some of the shortcomings and challenges of using a standard method on nonstandard situations.
“How to Manage Septic Systems using Remote Monitoring,” by Scott Robinson, managing director of RH2O North America: Learn how advances in control systems and remote monitoring solutions can save customers and maintenance providers time and money, and protect environmental health.
“GPS Tracking: Hype Vs. Reality,” by Richard Banks, national sales director for US Fleet Tracking: Learn what matters most when implementing GPS tracking within core business functions. Understand refresh rates, leasing hardware versus purchasing it, contracts or no contracts, and features that help manage a mobile workforce.
“Wireless Controls in the Waterjet Industry: Sacrificing Safety for Convenience,” by Terry Gromes Sr. and Terry Gromes Jr. from Terydon: This session will be an assessment of the hands-free initiative currently sweeping the contractor market of the high-pressure waterjetting/waterblasting industry.
“True Crime Scene Stories: How to Inspect and Troubleshoot Suspect Onsite Systems,” by Dawn Long, owner of American Septic Service: Through photographs, this presentation will examine crucial components of point-of-sale inspection forms that will aid inspectors and maintenance providers in correctly identifying “who done it.”
Wednesday, Feb. 25:
“Integrating Temperature Sensor Technology within Lateral Pipeline CIPP Installations” by Jason Mathey, director of research and development and training manager for LMK Technologies: Thermal sensor fiber technology is now being used in conjunction with lateral installations with great success. This is allowing for better documentation for QA/QC, higher physical properties of the finished product and a reduction of failed liners. A case study will be provided.
“CIPP Calibration and Vacuuming” by John Heisler, owner of Quik Lining Systems: This session will discuss the many methods of getting the CIPP resin in place to allow it to be installed into the host pipe.
“Analyzing Common Onsite Septic System Malfunctions and the Options for Prevention and Correction” by Dennis Hallahan, technical director at Infiltrator Systems: This presentation will review some malfunctions/challenges and present emerging technologies and system design strategies to address them. It will draw on two specific cases to illustrate solutions/approaches to meet the challenge of installing high-functioning systems in difficult soils.
“Team Building for Profit,” by Don Daub, electrical engineer, technology trainer and consultant: This seminar coaches contractors on the importance of unifying the team to meet goals. Topics include time management skills, personality types, basic group dynamics and team cohesiveness.
“Ten Common Sense Ways to Grow and Improve Your Business,” by Lane Post, president and founder of Pacific Drain Service and Arrow Pipeline Repair: This talk stresses intangibles of small-business ownership, such as passion, personality and perseverance, and suggests a return to old-fashioned values aided by electronic technology.
“Setting Expectations – The Key to Sales and Customer Satisfaction,” by Matthew Sutton, a founder and vice president of sales and marketing at RapidView IBAK: Effectively manage expectations to build your business, make customers much happier and avoid unnecessary conflict.
“Introduction and Site Evaluation,” by Jim Anderson, Ph.D., Department of Soil, Water and Climate at the University of Minnesota, and Dave Gustafson, P.E., a civil engineer and trainer in the Minnesota licensing program: This session will briefly review site planning and preparation, including soils evaluation, factoring in setbacks and easements, lot elevations, lot size and system configurations and placement.
“System Sizing and Basic Design Principles,” by Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and Dave Gustafson, P.E.: Look at the basics of design and what goes into determining system sizes and types.
“Installations of ATUs,” by Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and Dave Gustafson, P.E.: Discuss how to approach installing an aerobic treatment unit or tank, how it is different from a septic tank and what you need to know.
“Installing for Management,” by Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and Dave Gustafson, P.E.: With today’s focus on taking care of systems for the long term, installers need to understand their role in effective operation and maintenance or system management.
“Troubleshooting Systems,” by Jim Anderson, Ph.D., and Dave Gustafson, P.E.: Installers are often asked to inspect and repair a system that is not working properly. This session will discuss troubleshooting and working toward solutions.
