The Dallas Irrigation Association is putting together the final touches on their 2020 Expo. This coming year’s Expo will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at the Plano Event Center for Dallas and Fort Worth area irrigation professionals. As in last year’s Expo, the DIA will be offering three tracts of classes giving each attendee eight hours of TCEQ approved CEU hours. As in recent years, irrigation, technician, inspector, and backflow licensees will be eligible for CEU hours.
In addition to offering CEU hours, the DIA has one of the largest vendor fairs in the area. In 2019, there were over 40 tables occupied by some of the industry’s top manufacturers, reps for new products, and non-profit organizations. Vendors come well equipped with product and printed materials and are ready to answer questions and provide solutions to the needs of DFW industry professionals.
Expo Instruction Lineup
Using the surveys from the 2019 Expo, DIA has made some requested upgrades. This year, DIA’s class lineup will include 5 one hour classes and 1 two hour class for the LI/IT tract. This change was directly in response to requests for shorter classes and more content. DIA has also expanded its vendor room and will be occupying the entire Plano Event Center. You won’t want to miss DIA’s 2020 Expo class lineup including but not limited to the following new and refreshed content.
Advanced Backflow Prevention for Irrigation – LI/IT Tract
Paul Wait, National Irrigation Sales Manager for Zurn Industries, will be presenting this class tract where a review of back flow prevention basics is addressed. This class includes an overview of approved backflow installation criteria, preventer operation, troubleshooting system issues, maintenance and testing for irrigators.
Managing an Irrigation Company – LI/IT Tract
Craig Borland, another industry veteran and highly sought out instructor, will explore the difficulties contractors encounter managing an irrigation company. Subject matter includes strategies for hiring, training and retention of service technicians, hands-on models for pricing, including understanding models for technical and service contract rates, and different marketing topics.
Collaborating with Landscape Architects – LI/IT Tract
Geoff Hall, head of irrigation at Pacheco Koch Consulting Engineers, will explore how successful collaboration between the disciplines of irrigation and design is essential to deliver successful, safe, and healthy projects. This session explores tools and techniques for designers and contractors to work together successfully.
Controller Troubleshooting – LI/IT Tract
Craig Borland will also being teaching this much needed class on understanding the basics of electrical troubleshooting a controller, how to isolate the different parts of the control system, and how to complete overall troubleshooting of the controller.
Alternative Water Resources – LI/IT Tract
Patrick Dickinson, Director at Britton and Associates and part of the A&M Agrilife Water University Program, along with Geoff Hall, will co-teach this class. The subject matter includes an overall look at the water supply in Texas, a cost analysis of supply and demand along with system costs and savings, storage options for different alternative water types, automation, irrigation design for alternative water, and compatible plants for reclaimed water.
Plant Diagnostics – LI/IT Tract
Patrick Dickinson will explore understanding plant categories, environmental conditions, soil conditions, hydro zoning, symptoms of plants getting too little or too much water, and efficient water delivery systems in Plant Diagnostics. It will be a class that benefits both irrigators and designers and everyone in-between.
Benefits of Central Control – LI/IT Tract
David Peters, a veteran of more than 25 years in the central control market, will discuss the benefits of central control systems, a very powerful tool that can be incorporated into your landscape water management toolbox. You won’t want to miss this presentation on what central control can do for you, how to know what’s really happening regarding monitoring and visibility, central control scheduling and system management, non-irrigation control capabilities, opportunities for central control specialists and answer the question if and when central control is the answer to your problems.
Irrigation Filtration – LI/IT Tract
Preston Swor brings his much requested class from South Texas to DFW irrigation professionals at this year’s Expo. After introducing the definition of filtration in irrigation, the questions of when and why to use filtration will be answered. Additionally, filter purposes and types will be discussed along with how to size and design a filter, how to clean filters, and how to troubleshoot common issues. Don’t miss Preston’s filtration unit in this class which will give a hands-on visual of irrigation filtration.
Pumps – Sizing and Troubleshooting – LI/IT Tract
Bob Martin, a veteran of 26 years in the industry, will discuss pump sizing and troubleshooting. GPM requirements, elevation and pressure requirements, friction loss calculations, electrical supply requirements and more will be presented. With an emphasis on troubleshooting, tools required and the troubleshooting relationship between pumps and irrigation will be explored.
Rules and Regulations Relating to Backflow – BPAT Tract
Owner of C2 Services, Don Godfrey, will be back for this year’s BPAT tract. This is an updated BPAT class and will provide CEUs for backflow and irrigation licensees. Attendees will be required to take all 8 hours in the BPAT classroom in order to get BPAT CEU credit. Those who complete this 8 hour class and have both a BPAT and LI license will receive 8 CEUs for both licenses. In addition to definitions and terminology, Don’s presentation will include state and federal regulations, uniform plumbing codes, fire protection systems, methods of backflow prevention, installation guidelines, the assembly approval process, test gauge operation and principles and thermal expansion.
The Fine Print
The Dallas Irrigation Association offers both online (pre-regsitration) and registration the day of at the door. A price break is given to online registrants along with this year’s featured DIA promotional item*. Individual attendees can register online for $150 while groups of five or more can register for $135 each. Registration fees at the door for both individuals and groups are $165 each. Do yourself a favor and register online today to get a discounted registration rate, DIA’s promo item (a really nice double-walled insulated tumbler etched with DIA’s logo), and time to enjoy coffee and danishes and vendor booths before the first class begins at 8:00 a.m. sharp.
Online registration is open for individuals, groups, and vendors at https://dallasia.brushfire.com/events. Don’t wait, online registration ends on January 6, 2020!
DIA Online Registration Promotional Item: Enjoy this 20 oz. vacuum insulated tumbler with your online registration. It’s constructed with stainless steel and features the DIA logo. This tumbler has a tapered bottom that fits cup holders, a push on clear plastic water tight lid with slide opening with which to drink, and keeps beverages hot for up to 12 hours or cold for up to 12 hours, 24 hours with ice. DIA tumblers will only be distributed to attendees who register online. Online registration ends on January 6, 2020.