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Contact: Jennifer Patitz, +1.972.952.9321,
jpatitz@otcnet.org
RICHARDSON, Texas, U.S.A. (5 December 2003) – The 2004 Offshore
Technology Conference (OTC) has improved the visitor’s visa
invitation process to facilitate international participation. The
four-day event takes place 3–6 May at Reliant Center at Reliant
Park in Houston.
"This year, international attendees coming to OTC do not have
to be pre-registered to get a visa,” said Rod Allan, 2004
OTC Chairman. “This allows them more time to go through the
visa process, which in most cases has dramatically lengthened since
September 11 events. In addition, OTC has opened up the Web site
for visa requests months earlier than in the past.”
"The process to obtain a visa may take several months,”
said Sally Goldesberry, Director of Meetings and Exhibitions for
OTC. "OTC has been working with attendees during the past several
years on ways to expedite the process and make registering for the
event easier. Last year, OTC facilitated the visa invitation letter
process but requested that attendees register before obtaining their
visa. This was omitted this year due to attendee feedback and the
fact that the embassy process has become elongated.”
"We anticipate a rise in international participation at the
2004 OTC,” said Allan. “Last year, close to 8,600 international
participants attended, representing 17% of total attendance. We’d
like to grow that number for this year and continue to increase
it into the future. Inquiries for exhibit space have increased from
foreign trade organizations and companies, and we are working to
optimize the exhibit floor and outdoor plans.”
For more information about OTC, including a downloadable personalized
invitation letter, visit www.OTCnet.org/2004.
The U.S. Department of State Web site also includes valuable information
at http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html.
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 at Reliant Center in Houston. For
more information, visit www.OTCnet.org.
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