An Aberdeen-based company has continued its tenth anniversary celebrations by hosting a hugely successful international business event linking two key global energy hubs.
For the sixth consecutive year, Granite PR recently hosted the Aberdeen-Houston Gateway to highlight the ever-flourishing links between the North-east of Scotland and Houston – and the event marked its largest ever gathering in its current home at Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel with over 140 people attending its flagship midweek lunch.
Held in association with the Greater Houston Partnership, the 2018 event welcomed a delegation of leading Houston business representatives comprising Jeffrey Blair (Greater Houston Partnership), Lorna Ramsay (Houston Grampian Association), Frank Landreneau (PKF Texas), Andrew Derry (British International School of Houston) and Bruce Rieser (Visit The Woodlands).
In addition to a series of meetings and one-to-one sessions, their packed visit included a technology showcase featuring presentations from ICR Integrity, Fisher Offshore, JFD – National Hyperbaric Centre, Energy Networks and Alpha Solway. A lunch and learn hosted by Aberdeen law firm Burness Paull LLP preceded visits, tours and meetings at the Robert Gordon University and the University of Aberdeen and a tour of the city’s Marischal College followed by afternoon tea with the Lord Provost.
Another highlight of a busy week was the flagship lunch at Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel, Aberdeen where delegates had the chance to benefit from networking and knowledge sharing opportunities over a mouth-watering Scottish showcase lunch. They also heard from a line-up of leading speakers from both sides of the Atlantic who shared their experiences of UK and US markets and examined how to further strengthen the links between the cities.
Commenting on the success of the 2018 event Granite PR founder and managing director, and Aberdeen-Houston Gateway creator Brett Jackson said: “The ongoing and growing success of this event is due to the tremendous support it receives on both sides of the Atlantic every year. We continue to be delighted with the levels of support it receives and hope that it has created another springboard from which participants can seek to grow their businesses.
“This year’s combination of first-time delegates and people who have been behind us since day one has created the best attended Aberdeen-Houston Gateway since 2014 – another very positive and welcome indication of the green shoots of recovery.”
Jeffrey Blair, Director Europe, Middle East & Africa for the Greater Houston Partnership added: “A lot has happened in Houston and Aberdeen since the last Gateway event – Hurricane Harvey, new elected officials in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire etc. For me the Gateway event this year provides the perfect time and place to catch up on events and network with established contacts and meet new people before OTC in May, when we can further build upon the knowledge gained and contacts made this week.”
Frank Landreneau, chief financial officer for PKF Texas said: “Now is an exciting time to invest in the U.S. due to a variety of favourable business incentives, such as a reduction in regulations at the federal level. Additionally, due to tax reform passed in December 2017, Aberdeen businesses should review their supply chain models to capitalize on the new tax incentives now available.”
Simon Mills, head of Robert Gordon’s College said: “It has been an ideal opportunity to explore how Robert Gordon’s College can work more closely with the British International School of Houston with whom we have a common goal of developing happy, well rounded pupils. The schools share many values and educational links including partnerships with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston and an interest in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education, as well as exceptional practice in the performing arts. I look forward to visiting the British International School of Houston in the summer.”
The 2018 Aberdeen-Houston Gateway was supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, British Airways, British Consulate General Houston, British International School of Houston, Energetica, Greater Houston Partnership, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, PKF Texas/Johnston Carmichael (Scotland), Robert Gordon’s College, Robert Gordon University, Scottish Development International.
To find out more about The Aberdeen-Houston Gateway, contact event managers Business Plus Scotland on (01651) 891374 or email events@bpscotland.co.uk