LAGCOE 2019 Culminates with $10,000 Winner of the Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge

LAFAYETTE, La. — For the first time ever, the LAGCOE’s Technical Exposition and Conference was held in New Orleans, October 9-11, 2019. Since its founding in Lafayette 64 years ago, the biennial event has been bringing together the best and brightest oil and gas professionals and businesses to share and showcase new technologies and advancements in the energy sector.

The theme for the 2019 show, “The Future of Energy Starts Here,” was chosen to reflect the many technological advances and innovations that are shaping the energy industry’s future. Over 300 exhibitors representing a wide variety of industry sectors occupied over 50,000 square feet at this year’s Expo, held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. At the three-day event, 23 countries and 37 states were represented. This event also featured more than 70 industry experts delivering talks across three different tracks. Each day of the event began with a Keynote Speaker Breakfast by leading industry figures including Chevron’s Kimberly McHugh, Beaver Drilling CEO Kevin Krausert, and Murphy Oil CEO Roger Jenkins.

“We knew moving the show to New Orleans would be a major challenge for LAGCOE, but we’re so grateful to our sponsors, exhibitors, international guests, volunteers, partners, speakers and everyone who attended for supporting LAGCOE,” said Greg Stutes, Chairman of LAGCOE’s Board of Directors. “We will use the feedback and lessons learned from this show to make sure 2021 is even better!”

There were a number of special events throughout LAGCOE 2019, including an opening night International Reception at the World War II Museum in the Louisiana Pavilion, presented by Simmons Energy | A Division of PiperJaffray℠. LAGCOE 2019 also included a Career Connection Job Fair, sponsored by Rigzone, and Future Energy Professional tours of the show for Louisiana high school students. Other highlights included presentations by the winners of this year’s New Technology Showcase and an Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge.

The Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge, in partnership with The Idea Village, was held during the final day of this year’s Technical Exposition and Conference. This signature event connected the best new energy innovators with funding to help further the development of exciting new products and technologies for the energy industry.

On Friday, October 11, selected participants in the Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge made brief presentations before a panel of judges during a special forum open to all attendees. Each innovator had a brief amount of time to make a pitch, followed by a short Q&A segment. The judges selected Terry McIver of Glider Products as the winner of this year’s Energy Innovators Pitch Challenge! The idea of a remotely-operated, automatic laydown machine that reduces cost, uses less manpower and increases safety and efficiencies won the $10,000 grand prize. This event was made possible by LAGCOE 2019 sponsors Shell Game Changer and Jones Walker LLP and LAGCOE 2019 partner The Idea Village.

LAGCOE is a nonprofit energy industry organization focused on educational programs and a technical exposition & conference. LAGCOE’s mission is to cultivate economic growth of the energy industry by facilitating domestic & global business development and fostering the energy workforce pipeline. LAGCOE’s vision is to be a robust, sustainable community of energy companies and volunteers that promotes energy education and awareness; connects businesses with opportunities and showcases the Gulf Coast’s technical innovations to the world. Learn more at LAGCOE.com.