Ah, Groundwater Week—where pros, pioneers, and excited attendees gather to dive deep into all things about water in the ground. 

But on the surface, you might notice something intriguing about some of the attendees at this premier event—specifically, their jackets.

The array of jackets worn by attendees symbolizes their roles and contributions to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA).

• Navy blue jackets identify current NGWA directors and officers.  
• Green jackets are donned by Master Ground Water Contractors (MGWCs).  
• Dark red or maroon jackets represent past NGWA presidents.  

A brief history lesson… 

Groundwater Week has gone through a few name changes over the years. It was once called the NGWA Expo and, before that, the NGWA Convention.  

According to John Schmitt, the main contributor to this story and a self-proclaimed “convention nut,” the event has grown immensely—and we take his word for it.

Schmitt, who served on the NGWA Board of Directors from 1989 to 1997, attended every convention from 1976 to 2012, racking up an impressive 47 appearances.

Schmitt recalled that at the first convention he attended in 1959, not a single drill rig was on display, and pump hoists hadn’t even been invented yet.  

Back then, pumps were pulled either by hand or with a boom truck.

Nowadays, Groundwater Week features prominent keynote speakers, hundreds of businesses showcasing top industry professionals, and plenty of cutting-edge innovations on display.

“The event highlights the importance of connecting across generations of professionals,” Schmitt so elegantly stated.

Bottom line: This is a major event that keeps growing every year. So, if you spot someone in a navy, green, or maroon jacket, be sure to give them a firm handshake and thank them for their contributions to our beloved industry.