This past week, water and wastewater professionals from around the globe converged at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis for the 36th Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show. It was an event for the record books, with attendance tipping past the 10,000-mark.

Education Day, which was held Wednesday, Feb. 17, included a packed schedule of seminars ranging from Clean Water Act information to advanced pipe bursting to municipal biological waste treatment.

A record number of exhibitors — 599, to be precise — covered the show floor, which was open from Thursday through Saturday.

“It was one of our best years here,” says Debi Spear, with Pressure Lift Corporation. “We were packed in here on the first day, and it just continued to be strong the rest of the week.”

The event drew 10,031 attendees from 4,336 companies — up from 9,474 and 4,196, respectfully, in 2015. For the first time since 2008, attendance broke the 10,000-mark.

Cody Warner, with Deep Trekker, says his company sold several of its underwater camera units at the show. “It was a wonderful show for us,” he says. “A very successful first year here for us.”

On Wednesday and Thursday evening, attendees and exhibitors made the short trek to the Lucas Oil Stadium for the new WWETT Kickoff Event. More than 3,000 people attended the event, which featured the COLE Pub truck in the middle of the field surrounded by exhibitor booths. It was a relaxed night, full of beer, industry talk and photo ops in the endzone.

The 2017 WWETT Show will continue with the same format, beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 22 with Education Day. Exhibits will be open Thursday, Feb. 23, through Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Indiana Convention Center.