The National Ground Water Association saw a big success at its December show in Las Vegas. Read about the highlights and see glimpses of some events.

The National Ground Water Association is beaming following its Ground Water Expo, which took place Dec. 8-11 in Las Vegas. The event set a new total attendance record of 5,561 and featured many first-time events.

Other Expo records established were 2,454 attending contractors, 278 exhibitors, 61,100 feet of sold exhibit space, and 51 first-time exhibitors, including the Water Quality Association, which hosted a pavilion showcasing products from the household, commercial, industrial and small-system water treatment technologies.

Among other Expo highlights was the auction that followed the President's Dinner on Dec. 9, which raised $48,248 for National Ground Water Educational Foundation scholarships. Auctioned items included a NASCAR race package and a mock aerial dogfight in a real fighter aircraft.

Additionally, traffic was heavy in the Expo's exhibit hall, and the workshops were well attended. Attendance levels were also high for presentations given as part of the Annual Conference and Meeting for the Association of Ground Water Scientists and Engineers (AGWSE), a membership division of NGWA.

At the delegates' meeting on Dec. 10, the gavel officially was passed from outgoing president Len Assante, Certified Well Driller/Pump Installer (CWD/PI), to 2003 president Ernest Pender, Master Ground Water Contractor (MGWC). Larry Lyons, MGWC; Thomas Downey, CWD/PI; Scott Fowler, CWD/PI; and Alan Eades, CWD/PI, also were elected to positions on the NGWA board of directors.

Officers for the 2003 Board of Directors:

• President: Ernest Pender, MGWC

• President-elect: Ralph Taylor Jr., CWD

• Past President: Leonard Assante, CWD/PI

• Vice President/Association Ground Water of Scientists and Engineers Division Chair: Michael E. Campana

• Vice President/Contractor Division Chair: Larry Lyons, MGWC

• Vice President/ Manufacturer Division Chair: Dan Wright

• Vice President/Suppliers Division Chair: Richard Burke

• Secretary: Thomas Downey, CWD/PI

• Treasurer: Loyd Watson, MGWC

Starting a new tradition, the Board presented Distinguished Partners Awards for 2002 to 10 industry firms. Receiving awards:

• Central Mine Equipment

• GeoProbe

• Global Water Instrumentation

• Goulds Pumps

• Grundfos

• A.Y. McDonald

• Solinst Canada

• Star Iron Works

• Sta-Rite Pumps

Selections were based upon the total financial commitment the organization had made to NGWA during the year. The winners each received a crystal and brushed stainless steel award for display at their corporate headquarters.

"The NGWA Board, members and staff are highly appreciative of the support these organizations make to the success of the ground water industry through their investment in the programs and services of the Association," Pender says.