What does it mean when the air begins to cool and the leaves start to turn color? It’s time for the busy fall trade show season and Empowering Pumps has been on the road for the past couple weeks attending several key industry trade shows.

It’s always nice to get out and talk to pump industry professionals about what they need and to learn about some of the trends impacting the industry. Rather than keep that information to ourselves, we wanted to share some of the things we saw and heard.

We start with WEFTEC as it continues to solidify its reputation as the world-class water quality event by setting new records for New Orleans. Some of the key facts and items from the show include:

• This was officially the largest showing for WEF in the famed Crescent City
• 20,385 registrants attended WEFTEC
• 1,027 companies exhibited at WEFTEC
• 303,075 net square feet of exhibition space was used by WEFTEC at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
• Water professionals and water companies from nearly 100 countries attended WEFTEC

WEF Executive Director Eileen O’Neill added, “The notable showing in New Orleans says that WEFTEC is an important industry event but also speaks to the value and importance of water as a big picture issue that links to all aspects of modern society.”

The connection between water and the economy was front and center with several key events including one event that featured EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. They highlighted this connection and examined both the national and local benefits of investing in our nation’s water infrastructure, including job creation and stronger international competitiveness.

Another notable event was a discussion panel of water leaders from France, New Zealand, and New York that shared examples of how their cities are coping with natural disasters, extreme weather events, and future growth. McCarthy led the call for an increase in partnerships and collaboration among all sectors and nations to help solve our world’s water situations.

Other events at WEFTEC included the popular Innovation Showcase; the second annual Stormwater Congress; the “Recharge, Restore, Revitalize Hollygrove: Conrad Park Green Infrastructure Enhancements” community service project; the 2014 WEF Student Design Competition; the AEESP/WEF Scientists’ Lecture and Luncheon; and the 2014 Operations Challenge Competition, which was won by 2013 defending champions Terminal Velocity (Division 1) and Team HRSD (Division 2), both from the Virginia Water Environment Association.

While these events created a unique educational opportunity for the industry professionals, the show trade floor is where most of the action took place. Many of our sponsors and partners exhibited at WEFTEC and as part of our ongoing support of the industry, we wanted to provide a video highlight of the show.

We have several more trade shows coming up in the next couple months and we can’t wait to see all the new innovations, network, attend special events and better cover the industry we love. If you have an idea or thought you’d like to share with us about a trade show you’re attending, please share, as we always welcome your comments.

Until the next trip, safe travels!