October 27, 2005: Aurora, Colo.,—The Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) announced the registration totals from the 14th Annual GIS for Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, which was held at the JW Marriot Hotel in Houston, Texas, September 19-21.
This year’s conference was attended by 629 total attendees. First-time attendees rose 25% compared to last year. Attendance by international registrants was up 19% and registrations by GITA members was up 75%. The show floor sold out for the second year in a row, with 60 companies exhibiting.
There were 20 technical sessions, which covered topics including the role of GIS in responding to Hurricane Katrina and business case/ROI. The conference also featured four seminars, including an integrity management seminar for both gas pipeline and liquid pipeline. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to attend the Office of Pipeline Safety update.
The conference was well received by both users and vendors alike. Tom LeJune of CenterPoint Energy in Shreveport, LA, said, “This is my first time and I thought it was awesome. The conference was very informative and I learned a lot as far as what our company and other companies are doing. As far as exhibits, there was a lot to see and a lot to choose from. I’ve never been to a conference like this. I look forward to coming back next year.”
Vendors were pleased with the traffic in the exhibit floor. “We had lots of activity in the exhibit hall and it was very well attended on the first day. We had several good clients stop by,” noted Gary O’Dwyer from Quorum Business Solutions in Houston, Texas.
Geoff Ives of Delorme Mapping in Yarmouth, Maine, said, “GITA’s oil and gas show brings in the right level of people who are interested in the products. It’s an intimate show, so you get plenty of opportunities to talk to everyone. It’s well focused; it’s in the right place. You get good access to the decision makers.”
GITA enhanced its student outreach during the 2005 exhibition. Forty students from local colleges and universities were provided with complimentary passes to the exhibit floor. They were invited to bring a digital copy of their resume for GITA to make available to vendors following the show.
Being in Houston, the impact of Hurricane Katrina was quite evident. GITA made a $5,000 donation to the Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross. The check was presented to Sarita Fulgencio, Deputy Director of Red Cross Disaster Services for the Greater Houston Area Chapter, during the opening session of the conference. GITA will also be making additional donations to the Red Cross in the names of attendees who were the highest bidders on items offered during the conference’s casino night.
“We’re very pleased to have this opportunity to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina,” said Robert Samborski, Executive Director of GITA. “Our oil and gas conference is held in Houston every year, so it is a pleasure to offer assistance.”
GITA’s GIS for Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition is a one-of-a-kind event that draws oil and gas professionals from around the world. The 2006 conference will be held September 18 through 20 at the JW Marriot in Houston, Texas.
About GITA
The mission of the Geospatial Information & Technology Association (GITA) is to provide excellence in education, information exchange, and applied research on the use and benefits of geospatial information and technology in business, utility, and government applications worldwide. Visit GITA on the Web at www.gita.org.