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Press Release -
National Rural Water Association
2915 S. 13th Street
Duncan, OK 73533
580-252-0629 FAX 580-255-4476
Contact: Kris R. Cash,
nrwakc@nrwa.org
‘Live from Dallas’ – Alive with Enthusiasm,
by Wendy
DeIorio, NRWA
The enthusiasm from
Dallas, Texas was abundant at the 2006 NRWA Industry Event as over 2,020
rural water family members came together for nearly a weeks worth of
education, sharing, networking and fun. The NRWA Annual Conference is
the time when members, exhibitors, sponsors and governmental officials
can come together to discuss the industry’s top issues and work together
to strengthen the rural water mission to others across the country.
The conference kicked
off to a terrific start Sunday evening with the grand opening and ribbon
cutting of the Exhibit Hall by President Bobby Scott. Over 120
exhibitors put their best feet forward welcoming everyone. The Sunday
Opening Night, sponsored in part by USABlueBook was a tremendous success
with everyone reconnecting with old friends seen only once a year at
this event and others meeting and networking for the very first time.
Rural water members are like a tight nit family coming together for
their annual family reunion – sharing stories and laughter throughout
the week.
The 2006 Industry
Event focused on two important issues for the rural water industry: that
of planning for disasters such as the 2005 hurricanes and helping
industry leaders plan for the future and finding the best and most
qualified people to take their places upon their retirement.
General sessions
featured such things as a RUS Town Meeting where the focus was on the
resources available to rural and small communities, the transitioning of
your board and how to plan for a utility board’s future, the decisions
that local utility boards face such as legal considerations, finances
and even audits, to sessions such as the importance of background
screening and more.
The opening session on
both Monday and Tuesday were a big hit featuring Doc Blakely and his
Swing Rider Show. Blakely entertained the audience with both is trick
rope style and motivational message. This was among the highlights for
attendees at the 2006 conference.
Wednesday brought
about the final day of the conference with the awards ceremony
celebrating the hard work and dedication of many state personnel and
associations. The evening culminated with the annual banquet and the
‘passing of the gavel’ from President Bobby Scott to Rodney Tart. Tart
shared his goals for the association as he serves as NRWA President for
the next two years and is eager to take the helm knowing Bobby left
large shoes to fill.
The banquet was topped
off from a tremendous group, Three Men and a Tenor, who captivated the
full house with their own versions of 50’s favorites and other
toe-tapping music. The musical group had the crowd in tears with their
lighthearted humor and even audience participation. Everyone left the
banquet bidding farewell to friends and wishing them safe travels home. |