Event Director Bill O’Hare thanked everyone who attended for abiding by stringent hand sanitising protocols, avoiding handshakes, and staying away if they were unwell which ensured a safe and successful event.
“AOG is a wonderful environment for the whole industry to converge, learn about new projects and the local opportunities that are available,” O’Hare said.
The timing of the event meant industry was able to meet and discuss the impact of not just Covid-19 but other changes in the external environment and collaborate on strategies to manage the year ahead.
Final audited exhibition visitor numbers are yet to be confirmed, but anecdotally the event was well attended.
Source: AOG2020
The opening address by Premier Mark McGowan set the future direction for the industry in WA with a strong pivot towards innovation, supporting suppliers at the small-to-medium enterprise end of the market, and building WA’s reputation as the LNG hub for the southern hemisphere.
“It’s important we continue to create confidence and opportunity to show that we continue to be a strong and vibrant place to do business and to invest and this event has been part of that for the past 40 years,” McGowan said in his opening address.
Other highlights included the inaugural Operator Briefing Sessions to present Forward Work Plans – part of the WA Government’s LNG Jobs Taskforce vision which provide a two-year look-ahead for planned works. The highly popular sessions are expected to feature again at the 2021 event.
The sessions gave attendees the opportunity to engage directly with the four major operators – Woodside Energy, Chevron Australia, Shell Australia and Santos.
“We are facing an unprecedented global challenge as an industry, and as individuals. I look forward to working collaboratively with leaders in the coming months as we prepare to emerge from Covid-19 with renewed focus and determination,” O’Hare said.
Key statistics from AOG2020
- More than 285 exhibitors
- More than 140 speakers
- 30 conference sessions across three dedicated forums
- More than 2000 attendees at conference sessions
- 28 operator briefing sessions
- Networking functions: Subsea Welcome Drinks, Opening Party, Diversity and Inclusion breakfast, Timor Leste breakfast. Most were sold-out