TPS exhibitors to help Houston relief efforts

The Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M University has partnered with New Way Air Bearings to launch #TPSHelpsHouston, a fundraising campaign to provide relief to Houston area residents affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Hosted by the Turbomachinery Laboratory, Houston’s annual Turbomachinery & Pump Symposia (TPS) recently had to be rescheduled to December in the aftermath of the disruption and destruction wrought by Harvey.

New Way Air Bearings, a regular exhibitor at TPS, initiated the campaign following the announcement that TPS would be rescheduled to 12-14 December.

Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, which had been set to host the exhibition from 14 September, became a shelter for thousands of evacuees as Harvey struck.

“It breaks our hearts to see displaced Houstonians in the same convention center where we would be exhibiting.” said Drew Devitt, founder of New Way Air Bearings. “We want to give back to the city that has supported us during TPS for so many years, especially in this time of dire need.”

New Way Air Bearings has challenged TPS exhibitors to donate $500 (€417) for every 10-by-10-foot section of their exhibit space. If every exhibitor accepts the challenge, the campaign could raise upwards of a quarter of a million dollars.

“I am thrilled that our exhibitors have been so quick to help,” said Martha Barton, director of exhibitor services for TPS. “It’s heartening to see their concern and willingness to give. We’re excited to partner with each of them to offer our friends some relief in the midst of devastation.”

The #TPSHelpsHouston campaign was launched Tuesday, 5 September and will continue through Tuesday, 12 December. The results of the campaign will be announced Wednesday, 13 December on the TPS exhibit floor.

Donations to the campaign will be processed by ShelterBox USA, a non-profit that supplies aid to those displaced by disaster. Funds raised will help support emergency shelter efforts in Houston and nearby areas.