‘REIMAGINE, REINVENT’
Petroleum show on next week
The theme of next week’s Global Petroleum Show couldn’t be more appropriate given the uncertainty clouding the energy sector.
“Reimagine. Reinvent. Reposition.”
“We see that as an important tag line for the industry as it goes through this fluctuation,” said Wes Scott, executive vice-president with dmg events, organizers of GPS, which runs Tuesday to Thursday at Stampede Park.
“With the changes in the energy industry here we expect to have numbers slightly behind.”
One of the largest international energy events, the Calgary show will feature close to 2,000 exhibiting companies — down from the record 2014 participants. Organizers expect about 50,000 people from about 100 countries will attend, about 10,000 fewer than 2014.
Started in Calgary in 1968, the GPS had been held every second year but 2015 is the first year on its new annualized cycle.
“I always like to say we take up every square inch of Stampede Park,” said Scott, adding that all available buildings and the outdoor area at the site — about 700,000 square feet in all — will be used.
“We’re very fortunate with the timing of the Global Petroleum Show because we’ve had a number of months to adjust to the low energy prices. I don’t think that’s going to be the talk. It’s going to be, certainly for the local population, around the new (Alberta NDP) government and their outlook on oil and gas,” said Scott.
“From the international side, they’re going to want to understand what’s on the other side of these oil prices. How long is that going to last? And then when can we start the worldwide recovery.”
The show will include six free presentation theatres offering educational programs on heavy oil, safety, enhanced oil recovery, environmental, and foreign markets, among other subjects.
International representation will include Bolivia, China, Ecuador, India, Peru, Poland, South Africa and Qatar.
This year will also include a stronger presence from other provinces, said Scott.
“I think that’s a really interesting transition for the Global Petroleum Show to see such a better Canadian presence from everyone,” he said.