EIConnect06
The International Supply Chain Event of the Year
 The concept of matchmaking or networking events, which aim to bring together suppliers and clients in a structured forum, is well recognised in the UK. In the oil and gas sector, the government/private sector group PILOT has been sponsoring a series of successful Share Fairs for many years. Concentrating on activities in the UKCS, these Share Fairs offer suppliers an opportunity to listen to presentations from operators and contractors active in that part of the world and learn about their plans and projects and how to win business with them.
The unique feature of a Share Fair, which differentiates it from most other forums, is the simultaneous delivery of a number of presentations, repeated at intervals during the day. This allows attendees to schedule their day to hear only those presentations which are of real interest to them, without having to sit through a number which are not.
Two years ago, the Energy Industries Council (EIC) decided, with the government’s blessing, to extend the geographical boundaries of the Share Fair initiative and run an International Supply Chain Workshop which would encompass the whole world. Called EIConnect, it was held in London in November 2004, over a two-day period and brought twenty presenters from Europe, the Middle East, FSU, the Far East and Australia to give presentations to more than 400 delegates.
Each day, ten simultaneous presentations were given, every hour from 9.00am to 4.00pm, using an innovative carousel arrangement of booths. During the day, the ten companies not presenting were available for one-to-one meetings with delegates.
Such was the success of the event that, by popular demand, it was repeated in March this year. But with one major difference. The Energy Industries Council is an energy sector Trade Association, with many members active in power. Recognising this, the event was extended to include a third day devoted to power generation.
 The speaker panel at this year’s EIConnect was without parallel. To have secured the involvement of thirty of the world’s key players in oil, gas and power is a testament to the Council’s profile around the globe. The event was held in one of London’s prestige hotels, it had the endorsement of UK Trade and Investment, the government’s export support arm and repeated the formula of keynote presentations and on-to-one meetings which made the 2004 event so successful.
EIConnect06 was held at the Novotel London West, in Hammersmith, over a three day period from March 27th to 29th. Four hundred and fifty delegates attended the two oil and gas days, with 180 on the third power day.
During those three days, delegates learned about company structure and organization, discovered who the key decision makers were, together with their contact details and found out how to get onto vendors lists. They heard about local content issues, what is required in the way of technical appraisals, what is their client’s likely spend, which projects are being worked on and much more.
The Workshop was opened on the Monday morning by David Baughen, Managing Director WorleyParsons Europe, and Chairman of the EIC, saying he was pleased to see that so many delegates had taken the opportunity to attend EIConnect. At a time when the oil and gas sector is enjoying high levels of activity, he applauded the vision of those looking towards the future.
“With speakers from Europe, North America, Russia, the Middle East and South East Asia”, he said, “We have an unparalleled line up”. He went on to thank the speakers for their support of this unique event and the many sponsors who recognised the benefits of networking with such a high concentration of industry executives.
During the first day, presentations were made by:
ABB Lummus Global
Agip KCO
AMEC
Chevron
Foster Wheeler
M W Kellogg
Petroleum Development Oman
Saudi Aramco
Shell
TNK BP
On day two, the presenters were:
BP
ConocoPhillips
J Ray McDermott
KBR
Ministry of Industry, Vietnam
Petrofac
Qatar Petroleum
SNC Lavelin
Talisman
Technip
And on day three, the power day, the presenting companies were:
Alstom
British Energy
GE Power Systems
Mitsui Babcock
RWE nPower
Scottish Power
Siemens
Saudi Electricity Co
On each of the three days, a programme of one-to-one sessions gave delegates an opportunity to meet up to three speakers, or their colleagues, to discuss opportunities on a more personal level. These proved extremely popular and the 15 minute slots available during the day were quickly filled. The presentations themselves were designed to last around 30/35 minutes, giving a further opportunity to ask questions before the next session started. Networking was actively encouraged during the three days, between sessions, during lunch and at close of play in the hotel bar.
Overall feedback from the event was positive and extremely encouraging. Delegates were invited to fill in a feedback form, rating, on a scale of 1 to 5, the individual presentations, the venue, the organisation of the event etc etc and add any other general comments. An analysis of the feedback will enable the EIC to improve still further the quality and value of the next EIConnect.
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