The latest technology in ground water industry and science, cross-border water issues, and new perspectives on marketing the ground water industry will be featured during the 52nd National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Convention and Exposition. To be held Dec. 13-15 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel, the event's theme is "Exploring New Possibilities."

The Convention and Exposition is the world's largest annual event in the ground water industry, drawing thousands of professionals from all aspects of the ground water industry.

To kick off the event Wednesday, Dec. 13, an Exposition preview from 5-7:30 p.m. will be followed by an outdoor light, sound, and video show centering on a dramatically decked out pump hoist from Pulstar Manufacturing Inc. of Dodge, Nebraska. Refreshments will be available throughout both events.

The latest and best technology the industry has to offer will be featured during the two-day Exposition, to be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15. Hundreds of drilling equipment manufacturers and suppliers are expected to exhibit. The annual event draws thousands of professionals from all aspects of the industry each year. Displays will include everything from huge drilling rigs to pump demonstrations.

For the first time ever, the Convention will feature two keynote speakers, each highlighting new ways of seeing the various aspects of the ground water business. Ken Schmidt, former head of communications for Harley-Davidson, will speak on one-to-one marketing, and artist Harrod Blank, whose creatively designed "art cars" have gained him international recognition, will offer his unusual approach to getting a message across.

Also new to the Convention will be the Association of Ground Water Scientists & Engineers Annual Meeting and Conference, "Ground Water: A Transboundary, Strategic, and Geopolitical Resource," Dec. 13-14. Participants will explore the technical, cultural, legal, economic, social, and political facets of ground water resources shared across borders.

NGWA's new McEllhiney Lecture Series will debut at the convention. Hans-Olaf Pfannkuch, professor of hydrogeology at the University of Minnesota, will speak on "Pump Tests for Practical People," offering valuable information to contractors facing increasing demand for aquifer evaluation or pump tests. Also featured will be the NGWA 2000 Darcy Lecture, "Transport and Geochemical Controls on Solutes in Clay Aquitards," given by Dr. M. James Hendry of the University of Saskatchewan, Canada. Hendry holds an endowed research chair in aqueous geochemistry and is an industrial research chair of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. His lecture will cover physical, hydrogeologic, chemical, isotopic, and biological information from aquitard systems.

Throughout the convention, workshops will offer information to aid industry professionals in their quest to be more efficient and effective. Experts from related disciplines will address important ground water issues and concerns, as well as ways of taking action to improve business and create opportunities for diversification.

And, of course, participants have plenty of choices for entertainment during their free time. Not only is Las Vegas the nation's gambling center and a premier live entertainment scene, but it also offers many other attractions, such as the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, the Star Trek Experience theme ride, the Manhattan Express roller coaster, and the Sahara Speedworld car racing theme ride. And several scenic areas are located nearby, including Red Rock Canyon, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, and the Valley of Fire.

The National Convention and Exposition is NGWA's premier event in fostering a community of ground water professionals. A not-for-profit 16,000-member organization, NGWA is the leading information and education provider for the ground water industry. The organization's membership includes drilling contractors, equipment manufacturers and suppliers, ground water scientists, engineers, geologists and environmental professionals. To register or for more information, please call customer service at (800) 551-7379, or visit the NGWA Web site at www.ngwa.org.