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Bookings for OTC begin as survey shows it remains a top business destination for north-east companies

PREPARATIONS for the largest oil and gas show in the world will get underway this week as results of a survey show an increasing number of north-east businesses attended the Offshore Technology Conference for the first time this year.

The survey undertaken by Scotland’s leading energy industry travel management firm, Munro’s Travel Group, showed 23% of delegates attended the Houston exhibition for the first time in 2011.

The company took more than 400 delegates from across Aberdeen and the north-east as well as other parts of the UK and Europe, to Houston in May. From those, 76.5% of survey respondents attended as visitors compared to 28% who exhibited at the show.

The majority (74%) cited new business as the primary reason for attending, with 72% using the event to meet with US/overseas clients and 44% saying it provided a platform for raising their international profile.

Founded in 1969, OTC is the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. The survey shows it remains a key attraction for Scottish oil and gas companies with 15% having attended 10 or more times and 13% attending more than 20 times.

The results were announced as Munro’s issued its call for organisations looking to book a place at OTC 2012. Of those who attended this year, 90% of respondents’ surveyed saying they expect to return for the 2012 event.

Managing partner Murray Burnett said: “Upwards of 500 programmes will be mailed to past and prospective delegates this week so we expect the usual rush of early bookings for OTC 2012. We have an allocation of rooms at the delegation’s HQ hotel, the Hilton Houston Post Oak, and as in previous years we expect to sell out.”

The survey also asked companies to identify other international events they would look to target in the future. The overwhelming majority (75%) cited Stavanger as a key location; followed by Abu Dhabi (43%) and Brazil (32%).

“The questionnaire shows that OTC remains as popular as ever with a diverse cross-section of companies using the event to do businesses,” added Mr Burnett. “Attendees across the oilfield supply sector, oil and gas consultants and contractors have found it a prime event for driving both domestic and international business.

“From our perspective, it was reassuring that 94% of those we took to Houston in May said they found the experience good or very good both in terms of the initial travel and accommodation arrangements through to the networking events and outings we arranged so I would anticipate demand for places will be just as high next year.”

Munro’s Travel Group has provided specialist business travel services to OTC for more than 35 years.

Established in 1903, the Aberdeen-based company provides solutions to all business travel requirements across a wide range of travel services including air, rail, ferry, car hire, hotels and also operates a specialist in house passport and visa service.

OTC will take place from 30th April to 3rd May 2012 at the Reliant Centre, Houston, Texas.

For package details

Call 01224 261865 or e-mail conference@munrostravelgroup.co.uk

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