2012 Utica and natural-gas conference set for Sept. 6, 7
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN
Area companies can learn how to be part of the oil and gas industry — and network with companies already in the field — at the Youngstown/ Warren Regional Chamber’s Youngstown Ohio Utica and Natural Gas 2012 Conference and Expo.
Individuals who represent drilling companies, midstream operations and support industries will be at the event Sept. 6 and 7, said Eric Planey, vice president of international business attraction.
“We want people to recognize the Mahoning Valley as the center of midstream operations for the Utica and Marcellus shale,” he said.
The larger portion of the conference occurs Sept. 6 at the Covelli Centre. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. The morning session starts at 9:15 a.m., and the afternoon session begins at 2 p.m.
This year’s event is different because no portion of the conference is free to the public, Planey said. Last year’s morning session was free to the public, and it focused on the processes of oil and gas development.
“We felt that was important last year as a way to educate people about the oil and gas industry,” he said.
This year, it will serve as a business conference for companies who work in, or are trying to contract with companies within the oil and gas industry, Planey said.
The second-day sessions will focus on more in-depth information for companies seeking a way to work with these shale-related businesses, he said.
“YOUNG 2012 will be an excellent forum to provide the understanding of the critical ‘midstream’ part of the Utica play, at which point transportation and interim processing takes place. We will not realize the full economic impact of this promising industry if we don’t have a sound and efficient infrastructure to move the product downstream,” said Ron DeBarr, president and CEO of NEOTEC, a company which is Kent-based Northeast Ohio trade and logistics experts.
The cost for the main portion of the conference Sept. 6 is $100, and the digging-deeper breakout sessions Sept. 7 at the Holiday Inn Boardman cost an additional $50. Registration for the conference is necessary to attend the digging- deeper sessions.
The event begins with an industry-insider reception and casino night from 7 to 9 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Holiday Inn in Boardman. This event is for sponsors, exhibitors, speakers and attendees. The cost for this portion of the conference and expo is $25.
A full schedule of speakers and events also is available at www.young2012expo.com. To register, go to the website, e-mail Jennifer@regionalchamber.com, or call the chamber at 330-744-2131, ext. 12.