The largest offshore oil and gas conference and trade show moved to a later date in 2021 to accommodate Covid-19 protocols.
After a year hiatus due to the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown last spring, the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) has moved its dates from its usual May open to August 16-19 at NRG Park in Houston. The event, which typically attracts thousands of exhibitors and more than 50,000 attendees, is trending smaller right now, with about 400 exhibitors, including fluid power exhibitors.
“Since OTC draws a significant number of international attendees and exhibitors, the 2021 exhibition hall is expected to have a smaller footprint,” said an OTC spokesperson. “With travel restrictions still in place for many companies and countries, OTC is offering the option for attendees and exhibitors to participate virtually. We see a growing number of domestic participants and are looking forward to a successful hybrid event.”
Show organizers promise a normal conference program however, as they plan to offer both in-person passes and virtual passes for the first-ever hybrid OTC event. All registered attendees will be able to access OTC content in person and/or virtually. The virtual components will have but are not limited to: the technical program, real-time Q&A, exhibitor presentations, virtual exhibit floor, panel discussions, networking components, and more.
Health and safety protocols will be strictly required of attendees, exhibitors and staff. “At OTC 2021, we will be taking additional health and safety precautions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic,” show officials have said. “These measures include mandatory face masks, daily temperature checks, hand sanitation stations, capacity limits in and around NRG Park to accommodate social distancing, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection of event space.”
They have also indicated that should an in-person event be impossible, OTC 2021 will move to a fully virtual format, with online conference programming and exhibitions.
Registration opens this month. OTC showcases leading-edge technology for offshore drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. The conference attracts attendees and exhibiting companies from around the globe, including engineers, technicians, executives, operators, scientists, and managers from all fields in the offshore energy sector.
Conference programs include best practices, technical innovations, and emerging trends from scientists, engineers, researchers, and executive-level speakers. Presentations encompass keynote speakers, technical and panel sessions, poster sessions, the Around the World series, university R&D talks, and more. Topics range from innovations in subsea drilling to additive manufacturing, robotics, big data, safety, digital twins, and more.
Offshore oil and gas exploration is a major market for fluid power technologies, as the safety and power density of hydraulics is critical in those harsh environments. This year, close to 35 fluid power manufacturers will be scattered throughout the exhibit halls (see a complete exhibitor list to the right and note that more exhibitors may be added closer to the show dates).
OTC’s Spotlight on New Technology Award offers a chance for even hydraulics manufacturers to show their innovations. This awards program is exclusively for OTC exhibitors and showcases the latest and most advanced technologies leading the industry into the future. Last year, Bosch Rexroth was recognized for its high force and low voltage subsea valve actuator (SVA) to enable the implementation of the subsea factory in brown fields.
Visit 2021.otcnet.org for more details and to register after about April 21.
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