The South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee branched across 40 states with nearly 4,100 registrants.

It might be getting about time for the South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee to consider a name change. Drilling contractors from a total of 40 states attended the July 27-30 event in Myrtle Beach, S.C., truly making it more of a national stage for the industry. Out of the nearly 4,100 registrants, there even were visitors from Canada and South America. Perhaps "This Side of the Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee" would be more appropriate. Wherever they came from, participants looking for the latest industry developments showed up at the right place.

Twenty-six continuing education sessions left no pertinent topic uncovered and the trade show floor was jam-packed with the latest products, systems and ideas. The number of exhibitors was the largest ever for the show. Executive director Jane Cain pointed to increases in water treatment and scientific firms as a big reason for the boost in exhibitors.

People have to eat, so thanks goes out to AMTROL and Nolan Co. Drilling Equipment for sponsoring the breakfast functions, and to Grundfos Pumps Corp. for providing deserts at the annual Jubilee picnic.

New association officers were elected. Loyd Watson (Watson Well Drilling, Las Cassas, Tenn.) is president; the vice president is Mack Pinson (Pinson Brothers Well Drilling, Huntington, W.V.); William Caldwell Jr. (Caldwell Well Drilling, Fishersville, Va.) is secretary; and Calvin Falwell (Falwell Corp. Lynchburg, Va.) is treasurer.

Contractors in the Bluegrass state have to be happy. The Jubilee's board of directors has accepted Kentucky as a Jubilee affiliate state. (That's a total of 10; 40 more to go, Jane.) And while the board was being so generous, $16,000 worth of scholarships was awarded to eight deserving students in the drilling community.

Calendar note for next year: The 48th annual South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee re-invades Myrtle Beach Aug. 2-5 in 2003, and visitors from other states, countries, continents and planets all are welcome.