Global Petroleum Show 2019

North America's leading energy event, The Global Petroleum Show (GPS) begins today in Calgary, Canada at the Stampede Park, and will continue until the 13th of June. We thought it would be a good idea to pass on some details, in case it was of interest to any of you!

Described as the most important energy expo and conference in North America, GPS 2019 is set to attract more than 50,000 international and domestic oil and gas executives from over 21,000 companies. Officials from government, national and international energy companies across the entire supply chain will convene at GPS to share innovative technologies, conduct business and engage in complex and controversial discussions aimed to shape the future of the energy industry.

The GPS Conference is a comprehensive three-day program where 170+ leading industry experts share their knowledge and understanding across the event’s expansive line-up of strategic and technical conference sessions.

GPS is the premier international meeting place for the industry to introduce new technologies, share ideas, meet new prospects, and do business together. The show also provides a platform for all industry players to develop strategies for oil and gas, renewables, and introduce new energy sources not yet discovered.

It seems the Global Petroleum Show 2019 is not to be missed! For more information visit the GPS website.

OTC 2019 - Was It Worth It?

Last week the SAS-ES team travelled to Houston, Texas for the Offshore Technology Conference. Just 5 years ago, in 2014, attendance numbers for this trade show were over 100,000, however in recent years they have plummeted down to around 60,000. Does this drop in numbers signify the end of an era of successful trade shows? We thought we'd take this opportunity to share with you our thoughts, and how the conference went for SAS-ES. 

The global oil industry is recovering, oil prices are stable, and OTC is still recognised as the largest global event for the industry, so you would assume the show would be improving and getting bigger every year? However, attendance numbers actually show a gradual decline each year since 2014, with OTC 2019 recording the lowest numbers yet with only 59,200 attendees. 

However, even with this downward trend, OTC 2019 was still a very productive, successful and busy week for SAS-ES. We find OTC is a great opportunity to meet with our clients, and future clients, from the USA but also from further afield, in regions such as Latin America, Africa, and the Middle and Far East. We had some very important face to face meetings with a selection of regional partners and customers from South America, in order to negotiate the crucial details of some substantial onward contracts. We agreed upon, and committed to, strategic routes forward towards commercialisation later this year, busy times ahead of us for sure! 

During our time at OTC, SAS-ES were situated at the Scottish Development International stand. We had a lot of visitors come by the stand and ask for us specifically, with people continuously commenting on just how much traffic SAS-ES were getting, so we must be doing something right!

With over 70 Scottish companies exhibiting at the SDI stand it really shows why Scotland's oil and gas industry has a global reputation for innovation. We owe a huge thank you to the amazing team at SDI who organised the trade mission and who worked tirelessly for us during OTC. 

"With decades of experience in oil and gas and abundant renewable energy resources, Scotland is the natural supply chain partner for your energy project."

So, maybe it is not the case that these figures prove the demise of trade shows, perhaps they just have to be approached slightly differently in order for them to be successful. With less people attending, and therefore less chance of visitors just stumbling across your stand, the days of sitting in your booth waiting on people coming to you are over. We believe quality is better than quantity, but to reach this quality it is crucial to prepare thoroughly before the event.

Here's how we do it:

• Advertise that your company is going to be there. Write blogs, post LinkedIn statuses, send out newsletters, add the information to your website, anything you can to get the word out.

• Research companies that would be beneficial to meet with. Have a look through the exhibitor list in advance and reach out to anyone that could be of interest, it will keep you busy!

• Try and make a plan. We know that events like this it is almost impossible to stick to a schedule but if you have a rough idea of who you are meeting with and when, it is easier to manage your time and make sure you aren't sitting around doing nothing for too long. 

Overall it was a very productive and successful week for SAS-ES, making us very excited for things to come. Thank you to all who came to visit us, to all our friends, clients and supporters.

Do you agree or disagree with us? How did you get on at OTC this year? Please do let us know in the comments below and maybe we'll see you at OTC 2020...

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OTC 2019 - Advice for the Event

This weekend the SAS-ES team are headed to Houston, Texas for The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) taking place next week! Having attended OTC for the past 19 years we thought we should share with you some of our best advice for the event, which we gained the hard way...

So here are our 4 Top Tips for OTC:

Registration

Most people who attend will head to register at the main NRG centre, meaning the lines are extensive. However, we found a good place to register and usually avoid waiting times is the NRG Arena. Generally, assume that initial parking and registration will take around 1-2 hours at the start of your first day.

TIP: Make sure you pre-register before arriving and bring your print out and photo ID.

Eat & Drink

With so much going on you have to make sure you are maintaining regular food consumption, usually the best eating options are outside. Remember peak times will get very busy, and you may find it difficult to find a seat for yourself and your colleagues/contacts. Beat the rush and the crowds by having lunch either a bitter earlier or later than usual. 

TIP: You can find a variety of snacks to keep you going through the day at our booth (#1161). 

Remember to Rest 

OTC, like Houston, is incredibly spread out and the event will include a LOT of walking, from outdoor exhibits to the NRG arena to the main exhibition halls in the NRG centre. Try to fit in a few visits to booths with seating arrangements strategically throughout your week to rest your sore feet. Also, comfortable shoes are an essential.

TIP: Our booth (#1161) has a lovely area with seats for you to rest at, come and visit!

Plan, Plan, Plan

Tradeshows always need a plan, and massive tradeshows like OTC need a good plan. If you are going to make the most out of your week you need to know who you are meeting, when you are meeting, where the booths you want to visit are located, etc! Make a plan and split up your time wisely over the week, don't cram it all into the first couple of days.

TIP: Always carry your exhibition map, you never know when you could get lost...

We hope this advice can be of help to you over the week, and see you there!

If you're going to be at OTC be sure to come and visit the SAS-ES team. Find us at the Scotland Pavilion in the NRG Centre (Scottish Development International Stand, Booth #1161). If you get lost, just look for the Scottish flag! 

If you are interested in arranging a meeting with SAS-ES during OTC, please get in contact.

OTC 2019 - Hints and Tips for Houston

The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is right around the corner, so we thought it would be a good time to share some of our best Hints and Tips for when you are in Houston! If, like the team at SAS-ES, you are making the trip to Texas for the event next month you'll want to read on...

Not only have the SAS-ES team attended OTC for the past 19 years, but Houston, Texas is where our COO, John Harrison is based. So it is fair to say we have gathered some pretty good knowledge of the city over the years, and here it is!

Eating Out

Make sure not all your meals are eaten at OTC, Houston has some great restaurants, especially steakhouses. One of our favourites is Taste of Texas, great food, an informal atmosphere, and you get to pick your own steak! 

TIP: Taste of Texas don't do reservations, you just turn up and wait but trust us - it's worth it.

Traffic

Houston is incredibly spread out and the roads can get very busy, especially with an event like OTC going on. The busiest days at the show are usually Monday and Tuesday, so make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get there. 

TIP: Beat the traffic at the end of the day and try and get finished up around 3PM.

Mobile Phone

For foreign visitors who do not have a US cellphone the roaming costs for using your mobile phone in the States can be very high. We would recommend purchasing a pay as you go mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, simply carry in your pocket and hook up to your smart phone, tablet or laptop without excessive roaming charges.

TIP: Mobile hotspots can be found at most phone shops, e.g. Best Buy etc.

We hope this advice can be of help to you over the week, and see you there!

If you're going to be at OTC be sure to come and visit the SAS-ES team. Find us at the Scotland Pavilion in the NRG Centre (Scottish Development International Stand, Booth #1161). If you get lost, just look for the Scottish flag! 

If you are interested in arranging a meeting with SAS-ES during OTC, please get in contact.

OTC 2019 - Celebrating 50 Years

"For 50 years, OTC has encouraged scientists and engineers to develop innovative technologies that have unleashed the potential of offshore energy sources needed for global growth and progress."

Next month the SAS-ES team, including Mark Zwinderman, John Harrison and Sophie Cochrane, will be travelling to Houston, Texas to attend the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).

Set to take place from Monday the 6th - Thursday the 9th of May, OTC is recognised as the largest global event for the oil and gas industry, boasting more than 500,000 sq. ft of exhibit space. 

We are very excited for this event as over 60,000 energy professionals from more than 100 countries, and over 2,000 leading providers of products and services are expected to converge at OTC this year. All ready to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.

This year is particularly special as it will be a celebration of 50 years of OTC. This celebration is a recognition of OTC's deep commitment to the people and companies who have helped the event reach this milestone.

"Since 1969, OTC has brought energy sector pioneers together to discuss offshore’s evolution and to experience ground-breaking innovations in one place, at one time."

For more information visit the OTC website.

OTC is a great event for the international oil and gas community so if you're going to be there be sure to visit us throughout the week at the Scotland Pavilion in the NRG Centre (Scottish Development International Stand, Booth #1161). If you get lost, just look for the Scottish flag! 

If you are interested in arranging a meeting with SAS-ES during OTC, please get in contact.

We would love to see you there!