One of my best friends is the foreman at a local water department. Talking shop with him is a great reminder of all the things I don’t know.

I probably read more about industry trends and developments than he does because that’s my job, but he’s the one in the field every day. His knowledge is based on years of experience with his water department. Mine comes mostly from reading and conversations with people like you. But I’m sometimes amazed at how much I’ve learned from those conversations.

You’re in the field every day and have plenty of perspective on the work you do. But, how often do you talk to other utility operators, contractors or equipment manufacturers to gain their perspective? We try to do that with every issue of this magazine, but sometimes you have to ask your own questions.

There’s no better place to do just that than the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show.

This year’s WWETT Show, once again being held at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, gets underway with Education Day on Feb. 21. The exhibit hall opens the following day and gives you three days’ worth of opportunity to see and discuss all the tools that can help you do your work more efficiently.

And, of course, there’s no bigger gathering of your peers and no greater opportunity to compare notes and gain the perspective of other successful operators. Think of it as four fun days of training and education to make your utility stronger.

I’ve met a lot of people at the show — a lot of people, like my buddy, who have given me a better understanding of the jobs you do every day and what it takes to be successful in this industry. I’m always appreciative of that.

It might not be a full escape from winter, but the WWETT Show is a chance to get away from the day to day and do something that will pay dividends in the long run. Plus, you can move around a lot of downtown Indy without ever going outside, and the shrimp cocktail at St. Elmo Steak House will put you in a warmer frame of mind.

I’ll be at the show again this year, and I hope you will be, too. If you see me out on the floor, feel free to introduce yourself. I’m always interested in hearing your stories. And if I don’t see you, I appreciate your calls and emails as well. Your stories are what make this magazine work, and they help others do their work better.

Enjoy this month’s issue.