Question: As the new year begins, we are evaluating industry conferences and meetings. What type of shows, conventions and meetings do you recommend? 

Answer: Learning, shopping and the sharing of information can easily be accomplished online in today’s world, but in-person experiences are far more beneficial. Further, do not merely “attend” meetings or conferences. Become involved and both your company and your customers will benefit exponentially. 

Industry-Specific Events

These meetings, conferences and trade shows will enhance and improve your company. Among the reasons to attend and to actively participate are:

• The opportunity to see and learn about the latest products and services from industry experts in person. Future trends and product enhancements are often presented. 
• Establishing new business friendships and contacts with fellow PROs from around the country and from around the world. Having other business owners and key contacts who are noncompetitors to ask questions, solicit opinions and obtain advice based on their experiences, and share ideas is invaluable.   
• Educational opportunities, including training and industry certification, are often available. You and your employees can learn the proper industry-accepted protocols that will ultimately provide your customers with the best service.

Popular industry-specific conferences and shows include:

WWETT (Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport) Show —  This year’s show is Feb. 17 to 20 in Indianapolis and will feature some 600 exhibitors. This event is a must, especially for new PROs to attend and PROs considering expansion into other product offerings.

PSAI Convention and Trade Show and the PSAI Nuts & Bolts Educational Conference — The PSAI Nuts & Bolts will be held in Scottsdale, Arizona from Feb. 3 to 5. Roundtable discussion sessions covering a wide array of topics, training and PSAI Certification are featured. The Convention and Trade Show will be in Daytona Beach, Florida in November.

Onsite Wastewater Mega-Conference — A collaborative event between NOWRA (National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association), NAWT (National Association of Wastewater Technicians) and NEHA (National Environmental Health Association). This event will be held from Oct. 19 to 22 in Sandusky, Ohio. Exhibits, education and industry speakers headline this annual event. 

NOWRA State Association Conferences — NOWRA has 36 state associations that also conduct meetings and events. We were members of GOWA (Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association) and attended an annual conference and seasonal educational workshops.

American Rental Association Show — This international trade association is composed of owners of equipment and event rental operators as well as manufacturers and suppliers of rental equipment. From tents, trailers, fencing, tools, heavy machinery and more, this organization was founded in 1955 and continues to grow in both size and product types. The 2025 ARA Show will be held Jan. 28 to Feb. 1 in Las Vegas.

Tips for Attending Industry-Specific Events:

• Visit your company’s suppliers with whom you may have only had phone contact in the past. Discuss your existing products and ask questions about maintenance, product life and any other pertinent matters. Learn about future products and availability.
• Visit other supplier booths to examine and compare their equipment and offerings with your current products and supplies.
• Look at new products that your company currently does not offer. For example, if your company does not currently own restroom trailers, visit all the trailer booths to learn more about these products. If you become interested in expanding into fencing rental, barricades or tent rental, visit those booths and speak to those experts. This can be very educational and useful at some point in the future.
• Investigate other industries into which you potentially want to expand someday or to merely obtain a better understanding. For portable restroom operators, learning more about the septic and wastewater treatment industries is beneficial regardless of entering these markets or not.
• Attend as many seminars and training sessions at these events as is practical. Industry experts sharing their knowledge and experience are an excellent investment of your time at any event.
• Do not focus all your attention on the exhibit booths. Look at other attendees’ badges and interact with others whenever you have the opportunity. You may make key contacts with other operators in your area or in your state with whom you can work in the future. You can never have too many good industry contacts!
• Use these events as educational training for employees. If the location and the timing is favorable, bring employees to these shows. The product knowledge, education, and interaction with fellow industry members will benefit your company. After these industry events, employees often feel more committed to the company from a career perspective. We also heard on many occasions that employees are inspired to derive new ideas and suggestions based on all that they saw and experienced at the trade show or event.      
• Have a strategy to learn and to investigate. If your company is looking to learn about a specific product or industry, have the same person visit each booth that pertains to that area of inquiry. For example, if your company is looking to expand into onsite wastewater treatment, have the same person visit those exhibitors to gather information and to interact with those presenters.   

Local Meetings and Events

While industry-specific conferences and events are important to the growth and success of your overall business, local meetings and events are important in obtaining customers. Being a part of your local community is important for ongoing business relationships and for referrals for new business.  

Proven areas for success in the local community include participation in:

Chambers of Commerce – Local chambers support the community and are composed of the local companies and organizations that are active in the community. Numerous activities and events are excellent sources of continuing business for PROs.  

Local Homebuilders Association – Becoming actively involved in these groups allows for ongoing business relationships to be established. 

Bridal Shows – These events allow PROs the opportunity to establish relationships with this important special event market. The wide variety of restroom trailers and VIP units are often unknown to many in this segment.

Final tip

In addition to the strategies previously discussed, survey your employees as to their interests and involvement in the community. Employees are members of running clubs, craft guilds, or church groups, among others, frequently have meetings or fundraisers where your company could benefit from participation in these groups. In-person is invaluable to your business. Plan for the year ahead.

Wrapping up

Whenever possible, reach out and become involved in industry-specific trade shows, conferences and meetings. The value to your business continues well beyond the conclusion of the actual event. Similarly, attending local community meetings and events establishes your company as a necessary contact for portable sanitation in the area.