From October 30 to November 1, New Orleans was the setting for a milestone celebration — the 40th anniversary and return of the host city’s industry-related national gathering for waterjet technology professionals.
The WJTA Conference & Expo kicked off with parallel daylong educational courses — the Waterjet Technology Basics & Beyond Short Course, presented by an expert faculty, and Sewer Cleaning 102, presented by legendary trainer and consultant Rusty Nezat.
The exhibit hall opened on October 31, with a variety of suppliers and service providers displaying new technology and equipment. Advances in automation technology, vacuum loading, high pressure pumps, tooling and many ancillaries and services were on display for attendees to evaluate.
The outdoor live demonstrations are a popular and unique part of the WJTA program, and the 2023 demos were a highlight of the event. Demonstrating companies included Hammelmann Corporation, HPC Industrial, Jetstream of Houston, NLB Corporation, Safetech U.H.P Solutions and StoneAge. New high-pressure pumps, controls, automation technology, nozzles, PPE and drone inspection equipment were all demonstrated live for an excited crowd.
Technical sessions covered a variety of topics relating to safety, technology and equipment. A new, unique session consisted of an open discussion moderated by Bill Holladay of Amerapex. The discussion was titled, "Because We’ve Always Done It This Way," and looked at hidden safety hazards that are taken for granted in routine industrial cleaning operations.
The WJTA has announced a shift to an every-two-year show pattern, and the next full conference and expo will be held in November 2025. Details are available on the WJTA website and will continue to be announced through the association’s newsletters and social media.
A new social and networking event will be held in 2024 in order to give association members an opportunity to connect and collaborate, and new association programs and resources will be announced in the coming year.
Awards presented at WJTA 2023
WJTA’s awards are prestigious honors presented every two years in conjunction with the association’s conference. The 2023 Pioneer Award, the association’s highest honor, was presented to Terry Gromes Sr. of Terydon in recognition of his career developing visionary and innovative waterjetting solutions, advancing safety, efficiency and hands-free automation technology.
The Safety Award was presented to Frank G. Romito of StoneAge in appreciation of his contributions to the WJTA training and certification program and industry safety.
Two service awards were presented: one to Kent Maddie of Advanced Pressure Systems for his many years of service and outstanding support to the industry; the other to Bill Shires of StoneAge, recognizing his impressive contributions to the industrial cleaning community — advising on safe practices and hands-free technology.
The Technology Award was presented to Aquajet Systems AB, acknowledging its application of waterjet technology to concrete removal, particularly its novel systems to control the movement pattern of the waterjet nozzle as it fractures concrete.
For more information, visit wjta.org or call (314) 241-1445.
