I visited a local bookstore looking for an extra 2003
calendar but the selection wasn't great in early February. I finally
gave up in my search when I realized my only two choices were a
calendar with dogs standing around in men's clothing or a calendar
that featured recipes based on astrology.
(Maybe we should make an AAPG calendar that features
some of our geologists and geophysicist in field garb, or some of
our explorationists finding energy.)
I was looking for a calendar because my thoughts
have been on the new year and its possibilities. Now that we are
well into 2003, it is time to start thinking about some of AAPG's
major events.
In addition to a lineup of exceptional schools, sectional
and regional conferences, AAPG has three main events this year that
you must put on your calendar.
Event No. 1: The 2003
AAPG Annual Meeting, May 11-14, at the Salt Palace Convention
Center, Salt Lake City.
The
theme for this meeting is "Energy — Our Monumental Task." Each
year the technical program committee is challenged to develop an
exceptional program. The organizing committee for Salt Lake City
has risen to the task. The technical program for the Salt Lake City
meeting is exceptional. Salt Lake City is known as "The Crossroads
of the West" and the technical program committee accomplished a
monumental task in preparing a program that is a crossroads of global
energy resources and technical issues for finding and developing
those resources.
Items of note include:
- A special "Discovery" session has been
added, to introduce a few new exploration discoveries.
- Monday is "Executive Day," with special
presentations and events by and for top leaders in the petroleum
industry.
- AAPG started the International Pavilion
a decade ago, and this year it will be better than ever. AAPG
is working with petroWEB to provide online access and services
for the International Pavilion.
- Of course, the field trips held around
Salt Lake City are remarkable events, and there will be short
courses to meet many of your training needs.
You can view the technical session themes, field trips,
short courses and other events on AAPG's homepage at www.aapg.org.
Also, you can use our new registration system to register online.
If you have not been to Salt Lake City lately, I
strongly recommend a visit. This always beautiful city has been
made "new and improved" as a result of its preparations in hosting
the 2002 Winter Olympics.
There are still good prices on airline tickets to
Salt Lake City, so register now and don't miss this event.
Event
No. 2:
APPEX
2003, Sept. 9-11, in Houston.
This
year AAPG Prospect & Property Expo will be held for the first
time in mid-September. Many APPEX participants have asked for this
date, and we plan to make the post-Labor Day time frame permanent.
APPEX is the only geological and geophysical exposition
of its kind, in that attendees have the opportunity to meet with
many of our industry's explorationists to market and screen prospects
and properties.
This year we'll be building on the success of last
year's meeting with many innovations, including both a "Deep Water
Pavilion" and an "International Pavilion."
Exhibition booths already are beginning to fill,
so make your reservation early.
This year AAPG, in conjunction with Petris, has developed
a new Web site where exhibitors can list their prospects and properties
as soon as they register. Interested buyers will be able to view
the prospects and properties prior to the show.
During the show exhibitors will be able to use an
electronic road map to plan each day.
Event
No. 3: The 2003
AAPG International Conference and Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain,
Sept. 21-24.
Barcelona
is also a "crossroads," and the theme for this meeting is "Crossroads
of Geology, Energy and Cultures."
Barcelona is a great venue, and we are expecting
one of the largest turnouts we have had for an international meeting.
The organizing committee is developing a great program and exhibition,
and the technical program committee has had tremendous response
to the call for abstracts.
Also, like Salt Lake City, Barcelona is one of the
premier locations in the world to launch spectacular field trips.
In fitting with the charm of the city of Barcelona, many spouse
activities, special programs and innovative, simultaneously run
guest and technical field trips are planned.
Registration will be available both via hardcopy
and through AAPG's
new convention registration system. If you ever considered attending
an AAPG international conference, this is the one.
These three meetings are the primary networking events
for AAPG members for 2003. Each offers its own unique set of opportunities,
and each is important in building and developing our profession.
This year, especially, there are many changes developing
in the industry and the profession. We need members to meet, discuss
and share. You need to be there.
Please check your calendar now — and don't miss
these important opportunities.