The Global Petroleum Show (GPS) is touted as North America’s “Leading Exhibition and Conference” and the global meeting place for industry professionals. After several years of decreased attendance, the GPS organizers were pleased to report pre-registration was up 25 percent from last year while there was also a 20 percent increase in exhibitors. Nick Samain, VP of show organizer DMG Events credits the recent “technological revolution” in the oil and gas industry for not only to the increased interest in the conference, but to the upswing in activity across the industry as well. In order to reflect these recent innovations, the 50th anniversary of the GPS saw the addition of the Business and Technical Conference. Samain explains that a full business and technical conference helps brings stakeholders together to talk about “market access, [and] all those great advancements in digital”.
Digital innovations have become a significant focus of the GPS and 2018 marked the fourth year for the Digital Oilfield Zone as a distinct sector of the exhibition. With half of all oil and gas companies planning to increase investment in digital technologies by at least 30 percent in the next three to five years, this dedicated space is one of the most popular attractions of the show.
Aimsio returned as a Digital Oilfield Zone resident, with team members noticing a marked increase in traffic over previous years. For the operations management software company, the GPS is an opportunity to see old friends (a.k.a. customers), make new ones, and hear first hand stories about what new challenges have come with recent changes in the industry. It also happens to be a great time to show our appreciation with Aimsio swag! 
This year featured branded t-shirts, hats, and crowd favorite, Aimsio Hot Sauce - just what you need to spice up your field operations. Aimsio was also proud to present at the Avnet sponsored Digital Knowledge Bar. Co-Founder and CEO Ash Esmaeili offered insight to industry stakeholders on how to leverage digital technology to enhance field operations. Later the same day, Aimsio received an Honorable Mention at the GPS Awards Gala in the category Innovations in Technologies: Digital. Since organizers recognize that technological innovations are “revolutionizing the way...oil and gas business is being conducted”, expect an even bigger focus on digital solutions at next year’s event.
$6 billion worth of business is conducted at the GPS annually, thanks in large part to the hard work of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS). As a global network of trade professionals, TCS helps to facilitate conversations between Canadian companies and businesses from around the world. For instance, Ash was able to meet with delegates from Brazil and Saudi Arabia - two countries whose delegates were keen to hear more about the efficiencies that digitization can bring to field operations.
The magnitude and importance of the GPS to the Canadian economy was further illustrated by the participation of the Premier of Alberta as well as Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Rachel Notley addressed attendees regarding keeping Canadians working on the opening day of the business conference, and Deron Bilous attended to show his support for the oil and gas sector, noting that “earnings are up, investment is up, and drilling is up in Alberta’s rebounding energy sector”. Bilous also spoke to several interesting exhibitors at the trade show - check out his Twitter to recap some of the conversations.
With the 50th year of the Global Petroleum Show in the books, organizers are already preparing for the 2019 GPS. With all the information shared and partnerships made, along with the continual advancement in applicable technologies, it will be interesting to see what kind of innovations next year’s show brings.
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