A Record-Breaking Show
On the 16th May, The Water Equipment Show returned for its biggest show yet. With a record-breaking number of 2200 registrants, 120 exhibitors and 30+ keynote speakers, the industry leading event was a great success.
The theme of this year’s show was “Innovative Solutions to Water Industry Challenges in the 21st Century.” From climate change and water scarcity, to ageing infrastructure and sustainability, the water industry is facing unprecedented challenges. The Water Equipment Show provided the perfect networking opportunity for key players in the industry to share expertise and potential solutions to these issues, as well as showcase their latest innovations that are paving the way towards a more sustainable future.
Alongside the exhibition, delegates attended a wide range of engaging breakout sessions and presentations that were led by industry leaders such as United Utilities, Anglian Water, Thames Water, BIM4Water, and more. From condition-based monitoring and pump optimisation, to failure prevention and the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI), these sessions gave attendees invaluable insight into how we can tackle the challenges that lie ahead along with a collaborative approach with digital data.
John Howarth, Pump Centre Manager said:
“This year’s show was an incredible success, and the feedback we have received is evidence of this. It was great to see the innovations of our members first-hand, and to learn about the ways in which they are driving solutions to pressing issues within the water industry.
We had a record-breaking number of registrations this year, as well as keynote speakers and exhibitors. The Water Equipment Show keeps growing year on year, and I look forward to seeing what WES 2025 brings.”
The feedback for this event was overwhelmingly positive, with many people calling it “the event of the year.” With so many people in attendance, it once again proved to be a great networking and knowledge sharing opportunity for all involved.
Star Power
The annual member’s dinner took place on the evening of 15th May. This year, the dinner saw a dazzling line-up of entertainment, from former ski jumper and Olympian Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards to Olympic silver medalist and former badminton champion Gail Emms MBE.
Gail Emms captivated the room with her infectious enthusiasm before inviting Eddie the Eagle on stage to discuss his career highlights. Eddie shared anecdotes of his life, from falling in love with skiing, to competing in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary and the Eddie the Eagle film.
All in all, it was a night to remember!
Bright Young Engineers
At the annual members dinner, The Pump Centre once again celebrated engineering excellence with the Young Engineer Awards. The Water Equipment Show and Young Engineer Awards is produced by The Pump Centre, a membership organisation dedicated to providing expertise, training and networking opportunities around pumps, systems and the associated mechanical and electrical equipment.
For many years, The Pump Centre has encouraged and supported the development of young engineers in the UK who have gone above and beyond in their role. By highlighting young talent, this drives further development and encourages other aspiring engineers to kickstart their career.
The award is a nationally recognised achievement, and recipients can use this accolade as evidence of their outstanding contributions to not only their company, but the UK water industry as a whole.
If you know a young person who goes above and beyond in their role, nominate them for the 2025 Young Engineer Awards.
Here are the list of the 2024 winners:
Apprentice Category - Callum Barrett, Electrical Maintenance Technician at Essex and Suffolk Water.
Professional Category - Gemma Mitchell, Graduate Mechanical Engineer at Mott MacDonald Bentley.
Technician Category - Sam Preston, MEP Engineer at JN Bentley.
Derek Jackson Special Achievement Award - Amelia Swain, Apprentice Mechanical Field Service Engineer at United Utilities.
WES 2025
Plans are already underway for next year’s Water Equipment Show, with the annual dinner taking place on Wednesday 14th May and the show on Thursday 15th May.
At this industry leading event, you’ll build connections, be a part of important conversations, attend invaluable breakout sessions to expand your knowledge and so much more. We look forward to welcoming you once again in 2025.
