The Texas Ground Water Association (TGWA) extends you a cordial invitation to attend their67TH Annual Convention and Trade Show to be held at the Overton Hotel and the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas on January 29 – January 31, 2014.
The convention and trade show includes seminars, business meetings, exhibits with the latest technology and exhibits to review, spouse activities, an auction to benefit our scholarship program, a golf and/or bowling tournament, continuing education courses for water well drillers and pump installer, assistants, geoscientists, and engineers. The program is formatted in a way that you can get all four (4) hours of C. E. credit necessary to renew your license in one day or spread them out over several days. Geoscientists and Engineers can obtain a minimum of 8 hours of C. E. credit for their license renewal including one (1) hour of Ethics for engineers and geoscientists water well contractors and pump installers and one (1) hour visiting the Exhibits. An Awards Luncheon will be held on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at the Convention Center for all in attendance. This year’s Groundwater Trade Show will certainly be a win win situation. Not only will you get to see the latest equipment and technology, but you will be eligible to win cash prizes for attending the show with your full registration.
Exhibits will open on Wednesday afternoon, January 29, 2014, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for “Meet and Greet with Exhibitors" and on Thursday, January 30, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Following the Wednesday evening "Meet and Greet with Exhibitors", will be our annual Scholarship Auction. This auction provides funds to help numerous young people each year with their college expenses and is a fun way to acquire some nice items.
The Committee has scheduled a fun night for Thursday, January 30, 2014, hosting the 4th Annual bowling tournament for all attendees. Come have fun with us. You don’t have to be a Pro-Bowler, only a beginning bowler to participate. We will be bowling at the Main Event Entertainment. It’s great fun!!! See you there!!!
A business meeting will be held by each division of the Association. The Ground Water Science (GWS) Division will meet on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. The Manufacturers & Suppliers (M & S) Division will meet on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 7:30 a.m., followed by the Contractors & Drillers (C & D) Division at 8:00 a.m. You are welcome to attend any or all of these meetings. At these meetings Director of each Division are elected among other businesses. (See proposed by-laws changes included in the mail-out for the C&D Division).
Continuing education courses for water well drillers and pump installers will be offered this year to provide the necessary C.E. hours required. Effective March 1, 2013, they are as follows: “A licensed driller or pump installer is required to show proof of four (4) hours of continuing education per year with one (1) hour dedicated to the Water Well Driller/Pump Installer Statutes and Rules. Only courses approved by the Department can be used to satisfy this requirement.” BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR TDLR LICENSE ON YOUR REGISTRATION FORM!
In addition, you can register to receive one (1) hour of C.E. for attending the trade show to view exhibits and technology in the ground water industry. (You may only receive one (1) hour credit during the entire show for viewing the exhibits.)
This year the C. E. classes will include the TDLR Rules & Regulations, Well logging, CDL Requirements, Sales Tax, Solar Pump, etc. as well as Deep Exploration & Brackish Groundwater Development and Ethics for Geoscientists, Engineers and Water Well Contractors and Pump Installers.
All classes will be approved for C. E. credit. In additional, some C. E. courses may be added to run concurrently with other classes with the exception of the time for those hours of TDLR Rules and Regulation.
Remember, you can obtain your 4 hours of CE requirements for license renewal at the convention that may be used to renew your license from January, 2014 to January, 2015. It’s an opportunity to keep up-to-date on rules and regulations; observe first-hand new equipment and technology; expand and broaden professional acquaintances and visit with friends. It’s your Profession, your organization and you should be actively involved with those who are involved with the industry. They understand all the issues that you go through.
Everyone who signs up for FULL REGISTRATION at the convention will be eligible for cash prize drawing totaling approximately $2,000 over the two day exhibits. You must be in attendance to win the cash prizes. Drawings will be held on Wednesday afternoon and on Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon.
At the Thursday noon luncheon awards and recognition will be presented as well as the drawings for the Gun Raffle. If you win a gun or rifle this year, you may exchange it for a gift certificate at Gander Mountain for the value of the gun and use it on any items they sell. Come and be a part of this great activity.
You and your staff need to take a break from this hectic past year, relax, visit and get caught up on the latest from the water well industry. You will be able to get your required C.E hours all in one day on any date of the meeting or spread them out of the length of the show.
The Texas Ground Water Association, your organization of the industry, respectfully invites you to attend the Convention & Trade Show and become an active participant with us. Hope to See You There!
The convention hotel is the Overton Hotel, Lubbock Texas (www.overtonhotel.com). We have arranged a special rate with the hotel of $139.00 for a single or double room. Their phone number is (888) 776-7001 OR (806) 776-7000 and their address is 2322 Mac Davis Lane, Lubbock, Texas. In order to receive these special rates you will need to identify yourself with the TGWA, make your reservation directly with the hotel, and make your reservation before January 14, 2014. DON’T DELAY IN MAKING YOUR HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS. Remember, January 14, 2014 is the cut-off date at this rate.
PLEASE FILL OUT THE ATTACHED CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM AND SUBMIT IT WITH YOUR CHECK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Also enclosed is the registration form for the Continuing Education program and registration form for the golf/bowling tournament, if you want to participate. We would appreciate receiving registrations in the TGWA offices no later than Friday, January 17, 2014. This will greatly assist us in preparing materials for the C. E. classes, etc. REGISTRATIONS AT THE DOOR WILL INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL FEE OF $100.00. ABSOLUTELY NO REQUESTS FOR REFUNDS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014.