The annual convention in Illinois.

This spring, the Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals marked another successful meeting and trade show, celebrating its 76th year in style.

The historic Hotel Pere Marquette in downtown Peoria, Ill., was home to this year's IAGP Annual Meeting and Expo, held February 18-19. More than 200 participants from all over the state attended the exhibition and seminars, and the chandeliered Marquette Ballroom saw a full capacity with 37 exhibiting vendors.

The Expo ran Thursday evening, Feb.18, replete with technical-tip sessions, refreshments and door prizes. Vendors were on-hand to explain the latest in drilling technologies and equipment. New this year, exhibit hall viewing hours were extended to include an hour Friday morning before seminars began that day. Participants had the opportunity to earn an hour of continuing education credit by reviewing the exhibits that morning, and the exhibition floor saw quite a bit of traffic during the breakfast hour.

The well-attended seminars that followed covered a range of subjects. Regulations, business management practices, safety rigging and constant pressure pumps were the issues of the day. Hank Baski's McEllhiney lecture, "Ground Water Fallacies and Forecast," and a professional forum completed the program.

Summing up the entire event: "I think the show went very well," reveals executive director Sue Bohenstengel.

IAGP Election Results

Larry Lyons, Lyons Well Drilling of Stockton, Ill., became IAGP president for 2004-2006; Lyons also is president-elect at NGWA. Robert Albrecht, Albrecht Well Drilling, Ohio, Ill., James Layten, Kickapoo Drilling, Downs, Ill., and Jeff Tyrrell, Tyrrell Well and Pump Inc., Sycamore, Ill., all were re-elected to the IAGP board. Steven Liberg Sr., Prairie State Water Systems, Lombard, Ill., is a newly elected member. Retiring from the board is Alan Olson, Olson Well & Pump, Pecatonia, Ill., who still will remain active on IAGP's education committee.

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars: Next year's IAGP Annual Meeting will be back in Peoria at the Hotel Pere Marquette, February 17-18, 2005. Those planning to attend can look forward to another fun and informative show.
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IAGP Convention Photo Gallery

Glenn and Jeanette Lyons take in the sites at the show.

Ellen Liberg, Apple River Well and Pump, and Greg Sixta, Peoria Pump Inc., review the Illinois' drilling history display.

Roger Miller, Miller Enterprises, Champaign, Ill., enjoys breakfast during the exhibition Friday morning.

Patti Brent, STL Office Solutions, gives a presentation on office automation.

Scott Snelten, Peter Snelten and Sons, Wauconda, Ill., talks equipment with Larry Mortensen, Merrill Manufacturing.

Discussing well casing at the GP Fiberglass booth: Jeff Wiesbrook, J. W. Well and Pump, Dale Klassen, GP Fiberglass, Cris Collins, Gus Pech Mfg., and Dave Johnson, J. W. Well and Pump.

Representing Huemann Well Drilling, Mary Lou Huemann (l), her daughter Jenni Hopp and granddaughter Delaney converse with Susie Dodd Casey of the Illinois Sate Water Survey.

Sharing a joke: Andrew Stumpf and Richard Rice, Illinois State Geological Survey, and Andy Wiesenhofer, Reynolds Drilling Corp., Springfield, Ill.

Jeffrey Tyrrell, Tyrrell Well and Pump Inc., Sycamore, Ill., banters with SIMCO Drilling Equipment's Rich Clarke.

Robert Albrecht, Albrecht Well Drilling, visits with Wilmar Pump and Supply representatives, Gary and Ryan Venama.