Government and business leaders from around the world descended on Calgary last week for the Gas and Oil Exposition, or GO Expo. Approximately twenty thousand delegates attended three days of seminars and networking events, all under the theme of technology suitable for “profitable and sustainable hydrocarbon development.” Among the speakers were: Peter Mansbridge of the CBC, who moderated the opening panel discussion, Dr. Soheil Asgarpour, president of Petroleum Technology Alliance Canada, David Collyer, president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Qubad Talabani, a representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government, and Matthew McCulloch of the Pembina Institute.
A reception for international delegations was held on Tuesday, hosted by Calgary Economic Development. More than two hundred guests mingled amid artwork and vintage motorcycles at Artevo Art Gallery, a beautiful, three level renovated heritage building featuring exposed brick walls, wood ceilings, and warm lighting. John Hankins, vice president of international trade and development for Calgary Economic Development made the introductory remarks. Mel Knight, Alberta’s Minister of Energy, was the keynote speaker, introduced by Paul Beique, vice president of capital markets for Vermilion Energy Trust.
In a time of high environmental sensitivity, low deal flow, and rapidly fluctuating oil prices, conferences like this can take a gloomy tone. Happily, though, the feeling among guests and speakers alike was positive.
“Alberta has a competitive royalty regime,” Knight stated enthusiastically, noting the other factors that make the province a sound choice for international investment. “We have a stable government,” he said, joking, “It might not always seem like I’m stable, but it’s true.”
His remarks arrive at the same time Premier Ed Stelmach’s office has been rumoured in national media outlets to prefer Ignatieff to their own conservative leader because of his fervent support for oil sands developments.
Attracting investment and promoting the financial sector in general was high on the priority list for many of the evening’s guests, including Michael Mezei, president of Mawer Investment Management Ltd. The difficult economic climate is no reason to shy away from discussions on leadership and partnerships, he said. Saad Bashir, business development manager for energy at Calgary Economic Development, agrees.
“This is not the year when a lot of purchasing is going to happen,” Bashir says, “But this is the year for making relationships. So next year when the economy is running smoothly again, these international companies and Calgary companies are going to be able to do business. The relationships will be in place.”
Relationship building was certainly in effect as guests lingered well into the evening, some returning to the Marriott Hotel bar for further discussions and libations.
Also in attendance were: Lois Mitchell, chair of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Stephan Wasylko, minister counselor for commercial affairs at the Embassy of the United States of America, Kevin Redmond, president of Entech Energy Group, Alexandre Garcia, consul general of France, Lei Jianzhong of the consul of economic and commercial section for The People’s Republic of China, Bill Boyce, regional director at 3M Canada, and Alireza Rafiee of the Australian Trade Commission.
Published in the National Post June 13, 2009
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