Show Preview: 2012 Irrigation Show and Education Conference

The 2012 Irrigation Show will be held Nov. 4-5 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., with the Education Conference being held Nov. 2-6.

The show will feature more than 300 exhibitors, and more than 5,300 attendees are expected.

The Irrigation Show highlights the latest in agricultural, landscape and golf irrigation products, technologies and services. This year’s show will feature an expanded New Product Contest; a pond and waterscape pavilion; and Center Stage presentations where industry professionals gather to learn about emerging trends, industry issues and smart business practices. The International Professional Pond Companies Association is also back to hold its 8th annual INFO TANZA event.

The Irrigation Association is welcoming attendees and exhibitors to an opening night party with live music by Orlando-based band MPiRE, as well as a closing night gathering at a new Orlando hotspot — the Pub at Pointe Orlando (separate paid registration is required for the closing night event).

In conjunction with the Irrigation Show, the Florida Irrigation Society and Workforce Florida are holding a job and career fair open to all people. Meet with industry employers to learn about job openings in Florida and throughout the United States.

In addition to the judged awards, this year’s New Product Contest will offer attendees the opportunity to vote for the product they feel best represents the latest innovation in the industry.

For this year’s keynote address, Charlie Hall, PhD, is expected to provide a macro perspective to economics in the landscape, horticulture and agricultural realms. Hall is professor of horticulture and Ellison Chair in International Floriculture at Texas A&M University.

At the Education Conference, attendees will find new offerings and more chances to earn continuing education units (CEUs). Irrigation seminars and technical sessions are available to all full registration attendees. Education classes and certification exams require additional fees.

With all-new topics for 2012, the one-hour irrigation seminars are designed to reinforce irrigation industry best practices. Certified professionals will earn one CEU per each one-hour seminar attended. The Landscape Irrigation Track includes seminars on backflow prevention, estimating landscape plant water use, HDPE vs. PVC piping for irrigation systems, automating water flow measurements with sensors, treating alternative water for irrigation, catchment systems, two-wire control systems, and reclaimed water for irrigation.

The Conference’s Technical Sessions will provide a forum for sharing the latest research findings, best practices and cutting-edge products, as well as ideas that promote efficient irrigation.

IA’s education classes offer practical skills and knowledge that can be implemented immediately. Classes feature real-world applications and irrigation case studies; current techniques, field-tested information and best practices; and instructors with industry expertise and excellent presentation skills.

IA certification serves as an impartial, third-party endorsement of your knowledge and expertise. IA will offer the following exams at the 2012 Irrigation Show: Certified Irrigation Contractor (CIC), Certified Irrigation Designer (CID), Certified Irrigation Landscape Auditor (CLIA), Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor (CGIA), Certified Landscape Water Manager (CLWM), and Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist (CAIS).