2009 European Autumn Gas Conference Heads To Bilbao, Spain
Spain, with the most diversified gas supply portfolio of any country in Europe, is to stage the 24th European Autumn Gas Conference (EAGC), Europe's longest running and most prestigious annual gas conference, at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) in Bilbao, one of Spain's cultural capitals, November 24 to 25, 2009.
Naturgas Energia will host EAGC 2009, working in association with their sister company EDP Gas, both companies held by EDP – Energias de Portugal, thus ensuring geographical borders are broken down and that the whole of the Iberian Peninsula is involved in shaping this highly topical and strategic conference, endowing its social events with southern European hospitality and spectacular networking opportunities, and ensuring the ideal atmosphere for business to be done.
"We are delighted to be returning to Spain and look forward to working with Naturgas Energia and EDP Gas in the coming months," says Event Director, Tony Stephenson of dmg world media (uk) ltd. "When EAGC was last in Spain in 2004, it broke all previous records and was something of a milestone event. This year's conference, with its theme ‘Independence and Interconnection in European Gas' is set to seriously debate all the key issues in two totally focussed packed, and highly relevant days, involving all the industry's leading players from across Europe and further afield.
"Spain, with its diversity of gas supply ranging from the Medgaz direct pipeline from Algeria, due to start up at the end of this year, to interconnectors with France; and with Bilbao on the export route from Qatar – and already the beneficiary of one of Qatar's mega LNG tankers; provides a classic example for many countries around the world. Bilbao's LNG terminals, regasification plants and headquarters of key players in the industry, make it a natural venue to host Europe's most prestigious and industry-defining annual gas conference. But of course EAGC will be looking beyond Spain and the immediate region to pan-European issues; it is its international focus and serious debate that ensures attendance at the highest level each year."
"Naturgas Energias, one of the most significant players in the energy industry in the Spanish market, is hosting EAGC jointly with EDP Gas. Both organisations are looking forward to welcoming the 24th edition of EAGC, one of the most important international forums for the gas industry, to Bilbao," says Joao Maso Neto, President of EDP Gas and Vice President of Naturgas Energia. "During the two days of the event, we will be concentrating on current market issues centred around independence and interconnections within the gas industry in Europe – an important theme for Naturgas in view of the Euskadour pipeline, one of the two key infrastructure projects connecting the Iberian Peninsula with the rest of Europe."
About the conference – highly topical and with a new twist
The first meeting of EAGC's Executive Advisory Board (EAB) comprising senior executives from 13 gas companies from across Europe, took place in April, and the strategy and outline structure of November's event has been formulated.
"Topics set for inclusion during the two busy days naturally reflect the theme of ‘Independence and Interconnection in European Gas' and also include diversity and security of supply, international projects, and, naturally, the effects of the global economy," explains Conference Producer, Vanessa Hurrell of dmg world media (uk) ltd.
"We have an exciting introduction, a dedicated ‘LNG Theatre' being held on the second day of EAGC 2009, and involving a hundred of the most influential players in the LNG business. It will be an event-within-an-event with a strong raison d'être and looking to produce interesting and relevant outcomes.
"EAGC itself continues to have a flexible structure, so that come November we can ensure the programme is as current as possible, reflecting the issues we know our delegates are eager to hear about and discuss, the outcomes will help them determine company policy and actions. These will be issues that affect Spain, the region, the whole continent of Europe and wider afield. EAGC has a strong reputation for serious and rewarding debate and this year's event will be no exception.
"BEC offers us just the right ambience and facilities to ensure that all elements of EAGC run exceptionally smoothly. Of course, no EAGC would be complete without spectacular venues for networking, and this year will certainly be no exception, we are exploring some exciting options with Naturgas Energia and EDP Gas and look forward to announcing our plans nearer to conference time."
SOURCE: EDP – Energias de Portugal