Marking Milestones - OTC 2008

For those organizations that have participated in the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) – the premier offshore industry tradeshow and conference – the joys and the pains of exhibiting are all too familiar. Well, congratulations to all of you – we made it through another record year. And if you are one of the very few in the energy industry that have never been a part of the necessary chaos that is OTC but would like to, perhaps you will look to a full-service marketing and exhibit services firm like Advent to help.

This year’s OTC attendance reached a 26-year record high of 75,092 energy professionals from 110 countries. And Advent would like to report another uccessful OTC event, with 28 clients for whom we provided tradeshow services– accounting for more than 26,000-square-feet of exhibit space. We assisted our clients with everything from full turnkey show services, design and production of custom booths and overhead backlit signs and panels, to 3-d animations and motion graphics for looping presentations, design and production of printed collateral, promotional items, and branded apparel for booth staffs.

Superior Energy

Among the nearly 30 oil and gas companies on the Advent OTC roster, Superior Energy Services had the largest showing with a 100 x 50 island booth, designed, fabricated and installed completely by the Advent team. Superior Energy Services is the industry's leading provider of specialized oilfield services and equipment, with operations that span the globe. The company’s custom booth included areas for greeting prospects and customers, seating for casual conversation, formal private meeting rooms, a showcase museum, as well as a wine bar complete with full porter service. The goal of Superior Energy was to provide a welcoming space for prospects and customers to obtain information on current and upcoming technology, as well as to thank them for their business. Following OTC, Superior Energy was very appreciative of the attention to detail and hard work by the Advent team in overcoming the challenges and obstacles of such a large exhibit space with a custom booth – and done so in such a short amount of time – less than one month. According to Ashley Lane, director of international sales and marketing for Superior Energy Services, “OTC 2008 was an outstanding success for Superior Energy Services. We received very positive feedback from senior management, clients and also the Superior sales force. Advent was key to that success.”

TESCO Corporation’s unique exhibit spanned 2000-square-feet of space. TESCO is the leader in research, development and commercialization of innovative products and services to reduce drilling costs, improve safety and efficiency, and improve the customer’s bottom line. TESCO’s custom booth featured a “steel-like” beam structure with a large product display stage, hardwood floors, touchscreen workstations and two private meeting rooms. Maximizing the height allowances in Reliant Center coupled with the innovative, award-winning design, TESCO was able to stand out in the crowd. Cristi Harrington, manager of marketing communications for TESCO Corporation says, “The Advent team goes above and beyond to provide complete services for TESCO’s exhibit needs – both local and international. We know we can count on them to make sure every detail is considered and taken care of along the way.

Aker Solutions

Aker Solutions, a leading global provider of engineering and construction services, technology products and integrated solutions, promoted the launch of their name change from Aker Kvaerner to Aker Solutions, along with their new logo and branding elements at OTC 2008. The Aker booth was a 30 x 60 two-story custom design. The award-winning concept included a lounge-type meeting room on the second floor; a plasma wall display; product display areas, mounted backlit light boxes and two reception counters. In addition, there was an HR area for accepting online applications during the exhibit.

MicroTesla Ltd., a local company who provides MWD and Wireline directional instrumentation products and services, exhibited at OTC with a 10 x 20 booth. While a smaller space by OTC standards, the efficient design of the booth layout allowed for a large, mounted plasma display, along with counter space to demonstrate their newest products. Kenneth M. (Mike) Nero, VP of MicroTesla Ltd. shared the following comments: “With a new business to run, new employees to integrate and manage, new products to introduce and my first time to exhibit at OTC, I was anxious about managing and executing all of the deliverables needed for a successful show. Advent assured me that they had the expertise to handle everything, from brochure production to promotional items, and could stay within our budget while allowing us to stand out from the crowd. With the design and production of updated booth graphics, the development of a cost-efficient, but compelling presentation to run on our plasma, along with the complete implementation services they offered, Advent made my job easy.” According to Nero, “Advent was great. The show was a success for our company, the booth was useful and looked great and our customers all seemed to enjoy the time in our booth. We will use Advent for OTC 2009, as well as our ongoing advertising, printing and marketing needs.”

In addition to these clients, the Advent portfolio for OTC 2008 also included Pennwell Petroleum Group, Belgium Trade Commission, Cudd Well Control, P-Quip Oilfield Products, Future Pipe Industries, MCS Advanced Subsea Engineering, Hydraquip, Cavo Drilling Motors, The Okonite Company, Bulk Mixer Inc., The Weir Group, -Atlantic Communications, HongHua America, LLC. , Chinese Ship Building, Shenkai, ShawCor, Hydradyne Hydraulics, -The Modern Group – Dragon Products, Caprock Communications, - Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc., Hagglunds Drives Inc., Chet Morrison Contractors, Inc., Yanti Raffles, HB Rentals and Versabar Inc.

Even though 2008 OTC trucks have just recently been unloaded and booths stored and re-stocked in the large Advent facility, it’s never too soon to begin planning for next year’s OTC or other shows at which you expect to exhibit. If you need help with any local, national or even international shows, it’s Advantageous to partner with us so you can allow us to do what we do best and let you focus on your business at hand.

New Name, Same Game

Webster's Dictionary defines "Advent" as the arrival of something extremely important. We certainly think so. After 10 years in the business, C4/Omnigroup has changed its name to Advent, Inc . The re-branding of the agency represents a move into the next phase of the business, unifying its divisions and setting in motion an aggressive growth strategy.

Advent will continue to offer the same in-house capabilities, including web design and development, 3D animation, graphic design, advertising, public relations, motion graphics, custom products, turnkey exhibit services and more, giving Advent clientele access to nearly anything and everything they need to promote and distinguish their business in Houston , Texas or anywhere around the world.

"Advent allows us to define and present that single brand concept to our clients and prospective customers, while giving us the opportunity to essentially re-launch the company from an even stronger position in the marketplace."

- Richard Kaminski, Owner & President