2026 Operator Expo Recap
2026 Operator Expos Bring Big Crowds, Friendly Competition, and Hands-On Training in Huntingburg and Akron
The Alliance of Indiana Rural Water’s 2026 Operator Expos brought another incredible year of hands-on learning, live demonstrations, contests, networking, and great food to utility professionals across Indiana.
The Southern Operator Expo was held in Huntingburg on May 14th, followed by the Northern Operator Expo in Akron on May 21st, giving operators, vendors, and water professionals two full days of outdoor training and face-to-face connection. Attendance at AIRW's 2026 Operator Expos increased nearly 10%, growing from 521 to 571 utility professionals across the Southern and Northern events. That total includes only attendees and excludes vendors, demonstrators, or sponsors, making 2026 another strong year for these favorite operator events.
Attendees had the opportunity to sharpen their skills, earn contact hours, visit with exhibitors, watch live demonstrations, and compete in several crowd-favorite contests, including the Backhoe Rodeo, Expoo Royal Flush, and the newly improved Water Meter Toss.
This year also brought a few fun new additions to the Expo experience. Attendees were able to test their aim with Yard Pong, cool off with a visit from the ice cream truck at both events, sponsored by Indiana Pump Works, and Expo South added even more excitement with a dunk tank. These new features brought extra energy, laughs, and a little friendly competition to the day while giving everyone more opportunities to connect outside of the demonstrations and training sessions.
Of course, it would not be an Operator Expo without the famous hog roast. A big thank you goes to American Pump Repair & Service for roasting the hog and helping keep everyone fueled throughout both event days.
The Regional Water Taste Tests, presented by Wessler Engineering, crowned two more finalists for this year’s Best Tasting Water in Indiana competition. Reo Water, Inc. of Rockport, Indiana, earned the top spot in the South, and Connersville Utilities won the Northern Regional Water Taste Test in the North. Both winners will move on to compete for Best Tasting Water in Indiana this fall in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Between the hands-on demonstrations, friendly competition, operator camaraderie, and plenty of great food, the 2026 Operator Expos were a huge success. Thank you to every attendee, vendor, sponsor, demonstrator, volunteer, and host community who helped make both days possible. We are especially grateful to all of our sponsors whose support helped make these events such a success.
Check out the full event photo albums on Facebook.
Expo South Winners — Huntingburg
Regional Water Taste Test
Winner: Reo Water, Inc. of Rockport, Indiana
Backhoe Rodeo
1st Place: Kevin Kent, Sellersburg
2nd Place: Dakota Harrell, Sellersburg
Expoo Royal Flush
1st Place: Peyton Ross, Osgood
2nd Place: Skylar Cannon, Salem
Water Meter Toss — Grizzly Old Veterans
1st Place: Phil Bonneau, Ortman Drilling & Water Services
2nd Place: Bob West, Jasonville Water Department
Water Meter Toss — Powder Puffs
1st Place: Hannah Harshaw, Loogootee
2nd Place: Rose Hale, Astbury Water Technology
Water Meter Toss — Young Bucks
1st Place: Anthony Skinner, Cloverdale
2nd Place: Graham Carroll, Rensselaer
Expo North Winners — Akron
Regional Water Taste Test
Winner: Connersville Utilities
Backhoe Rodeo
1st Place: Jeffrey Crandall, Wanatah
2nd Place: Dexter White, Bremen
Expoo Royal Flush
1st Place: Jake Gearhart, Akron
2nd Place: Brad Hayslett, Lafontaine
Water Meter Toss — Grizzly Old Veterans
1st Place: Rodney Holmes, Wabash
2nd Place: Brent Walker, Logansport
Water Meter Toss — Powder Puffs
1st Place: Tiffany Ortega, Hamilton
2nd Place: Marcy Coe, Garrett
Water Meter Toss — Young Bucks
1st Place: Wayne McNabb, Hamilton
2nd Place: Jared Fansler, Walkerton