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Contact: Lee Lancaster, +1.972.952.9304, llancaster@otcnet.org
Jennifer
Patitz, +1.962.952.9321, jpatitz@otcnet.org
RICHARDSON, Texas, U.S.A. (31 July 2003) –
The 2003 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) added more than U.S.
$50 million to the Houston economy this year. The 34th annual conference
took place 5-8 May 2003 at Reliant Center at Reliant Park and had
a 15-year record high attendance of 50,655.
“The Offshore Technology Conference continues
to be a very important event for Houston,” said Gerard Tollett,
President and CEO of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors
Bureau. “This year’s event was a strong indication of
the importance of the oil and gas industry to Houston and its economy.
Despite the downturn in the world economy and travel woes, OTC was
a huge success, again ranking first in total room nights compared
to other annual conferences held in the city. Houston is lucky to
have such a stable conference that the whole world looks to for
industry trends and innovations.”
OTC has seen steady increases in attendance
since the year 2000.
Year |
Attendees |
No. of Technical Papers
Presented |
Exhibiting Companies |
Total Net Square Feet
of Exhibit Space Occupied |
Income Brought in
to City of Houston by OTC |
2000 |
43,785 |
296 |
2,036 |
369,877 |
$43,609,860 |
2001 |
47,649 |
266 |
2,185 |
399,891 |
$47,458,404 |
2002 |
49,620 |
279 |
2,024 |
375,100 |
$49,421,520 |
2003 |
50,655 |
282 |
2,010 |
384,450 |
$50,452,380 |
“OTC continues to bring in a large representation
of oil and gas professionals from around the world, who dine in
our restaurants, stay in our hotels, use city transportation, visit
cultural centers and museums, shop, and otherwise fill Houston’s
streets for four days,” continued Wayne Chappell, Vice President
of Convention Sales and Services at the Greater Houston Convention
and Visitors Bureau. “OTC plays a large part in maintaining
Houston as the epicenter of the E&P industry. The city has been
happy to welcome them for more than 30 years, and we hope to host
OTC long into the future.”
The museum district sees an increase of visitors
during OTC as well. “Attendance always spikes up during OTC,”
said Brad Meyer, Vice President of Marketing and Communications
at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. “The museum offers
the Wiess Energy Hall, which attracts companies and individuals
attending OTC. The hall hosts a world-class exhibit focusing on
the entire process of energy development and has direct ties to
the OTC audience. The museum scheduled several private company events
during the conference, with up to as many as 1,100 guests.”
“The tradition of the E&P industry
converging on Houston will continue next year with the 35th OTC,”
said Rod Allan, 2004 OTC Chairman. “I have been involved with
the conference since entering the drilling industry in 1979 and
have seen OTC bring in educators, technologists, and specialists
every year. This gathering always produces new ideas and innovations
that not only add new dynamics to the worldwide industry, but strengthen
the industry within Houston.”
Houston again hosts the 35th annual OTC, “Innovation
Without Limits,” 3-6 May 2004 at Reliant Center at Reliant
Park.
Founded in 1969,
the Offshore Technology Conference is the world’s foremost
event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of
drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection.
OTC is held annually in May at Reliant Center at Reliant Park in
Houston. For more information, visit www.OTCnet.org.
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