December 2017, Vol. 244, No. 12
Features
John Davies to Keynote Pipeline Conference
John Davies, CEO of Davies Public Affairs, a leading communications strategist in the ongoing debate over energy infrastructure, will be the keynote speaker for the 14th annual Pipeline Opportunities Conference on April 3 at the Omni Galleria In Houston..
Davies, the subject of this month’s Q&A beginning on page 80, heads California-based Davies Public Affairs, which has won numerous awards including Best Public Service Campaign 2015 for Dominion LNG. Davies’ specialty is mobilizing grassroots support and enhancing public persuasion for controversial projects, issues and legislation, particularly in the pipeline, energy and oil/gas businesses.
“John is a master in the art of understanding human behavior and has a proven track record of working with others to achieve favorable outcomes without resorting to the underhanded tactics employed by those seeking to block new infrastructure. He raises the discussion to a higher level, as anyone who has heard him speak or who reads his interview in this issue, will see,” said Jeff Share, Editor of Pipeline & Gas Journal, a Gulf Publishing Co. publication.
The meeting has become a premiere event for the pipeline industry and is co-sponsored by the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), the Association of Oil Pipelines, and the Maguire Energy Institute at SMU’s Cox Business School. The one-day conference is focused on new construction opportunities in North America as well as expert analyses of the numerous factors driving the industry forward.
Share, who founded the conference in 2005 and is retiring after 22 years as P&GJ editor, said the event will follow the successful format of past meetings, mixing information and networking opportunities.
Once again, the conference will lead off with a panel discussion comprised of presentations from the McGuire Energy Institute, including Executive Director Bruce Bullock, Associate Director Bud Weinstein, board member and independent producer Gary Evans, and Prof. Joe Dancy. The summation of their reports provides a balanced view of the key issues facing the oil and gas industry, including economical, political and environmental aspects.
Other confirmed speakers include Paul Moran, an energy consultant with Navigant, who will offer a perspective on new construction; Don Santa, president and CEO (INGAA), who will present his annual Washington Report, detailing how political and legislative developments in the nation’s capital will affect the industry.
Gretchen Gagel, president of Continuum Advisory Group, will moderate a session entitled “Building Utility/Contractor Relationships that Excel.” This panel, involving gas utility and contractor executives, will explore the key ingredients of the most effective utility/contractor relationships in the industry. Participants will share their experiences related to creating long-term relationships that achieve outstanding results related to safety, budget, schedule and quality.
The conference will also include a panel comprised of midstream executives who will discuss the challenges and opportunities they and their contractors are facing.
Sponsorships are available now. Many levels include a furnished booth and tickets to the popular Speakers Dinner, the night before the event. A limited number of sponsorships are available. For more information on sponsorship opportunities t contact convention director Karen Francis at kfrancis@oildom.com or visit the conference website, pipelineopportunities.com.
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