The Water Quality Association of Lisle, Ill., said Apr. 24 that attendance to the 2008 edition of its Aquatech show Mar. 26-28 in Las Vegas, posted a 4 percent increase in attendance over the previous event.
    The additional visitors were, according to WQA executive director Peter Censky, attracted by the 2008 event’s added emphasis on industrial treatment along with strong exhibits and educational programs for residential and commercial components.
    “We heard from many attendees who said our show was one of the most successful they’ve attended since the economy started becoming so uncertain,” Censky said. “I think we hit the ‘tipping point’ on industrial treatment, and that helped our success.”
    WQA Aquatech USA is the only residential, commercial, and industrial water show of its kind in North America. For the past three years, WQA has worked to integrate industrial aspects into the show, leading to the “Industrial Speed Dating” networking event in March.
    The show this year also offered a number of other new features, including daily keynote addresses focusing on business topics, the rollout of WQA’s commercial education program, and more hands-on learning with added emphasis on business education.
    The convention offered more interactive training on the conference’s trade show floor than in the past. More than 350 companies presented new products and technologies, mingled with scores of sessions presented directly by WQA and exhibitors.
    A total of 46 companies attended the Industrial Speed Dating event, which targeted primarily manufacturers, consulting engineers, and other treatment professionals. Participants ranged from major corporations to smaller and newer companies. To expand on the success next year, a full-scale industrial pavilion will be available.
    WQA also reported brisk sales of its Commercial Sizing, Plumbing, Design and Applications book, which is now available on the group’s Web site at www.wqa.org.
    Aquatech USA 2009 is scheduled to roll into the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill., Mar. 17-20, 2009. Visit www.wqa-aquatech.com for updates.