More than 2,800 Attendees and 225 Exhibitors Gathered at Summer NAPE in Houston
08.22.2018
The annual Summer NAPE featured more than 2.4 million prospect acres from 16 states and allowed industry leaders opportunities to connect during networking events, learn about current prospects and available industry services, and strike while the deals are hot.
“Once again, industry leaders gathered at Summer NAPE to buy and sell prospects, enhance their understanding of the industry and forge lasting business relationships," said Jim Devlin, chairman of the NAPE Operators Committee. "In February, these top oil and gas professionals, along with 12,000 of their closest friends and competitors, will gather at NAPE Summit to take advantage of even greater educational, networking and business opportunities."
Summer NAPE featured annual favorite events, including the Business Conference, Prospect Previews and Capital & Service Provider Previews. The Business Conference addressed important industry topics like the future impact of policy on energy, and attracting and retaining talent. Keynote speaker Daniel Rice, partner at Rice Investment Group, shared his entrepreneurial success story of starting, growing and selling his company for $8.2 billion within 10 years. He explained that despite any uncertainty in the industry, it’s the responsibility of energy leaders to take action and execute on the opportunities available to them.
Following the Business Conference, the tradeshow opened with eager exhibitors looking to make deals. The NAPE theater was the site of Prospect Previews on Wednesday afternoon and Capital and Service Provider Previews on Thursday morning. These presentations allowed exhibitors to showcase their current prospects, pitch their services to a captive audience and drive traffic to their booths.
On Thursday afternoon, Summer NAPE offered a Government Affairs Session with IPAA Director of Government Relations Samantha McDonald. McDonald explained the top regulatory issues IPAA is actively addressing in Washington D.C. and how they affect those in the industry.
Summer NAPE also featured several popular networking opportunities, including the annual Icebreaker on Wednesday evening and Hot Play Happy Hours after the conclusion of the show on Thursday. The Hot Play Happy Hours provided exhibitors and attendees a convenient way to connect with other professionals working in the same geographic area.
“Summer NAPE has been a great opportunity for us to have productive conversations with prospective clients,” said W.H. “Wink” Kopczynski, III, CPL, acquisitions project manager at Paladin Land Group, LLC. “The industry feels more optimistic this year than it has in the past.”
“We have seen a lot of interest in Austin Chalk in Louisiana,” said Ehsan Bayat, vice president of acquisitions and divestitures at New Dawn Energy. “There have been many deal-makers at Summer NAPE. It may not be as big as NAPE Summit, but because of the size, you can make more personal connections here.”
Summer NAPE concluded with a bustling show floor as exhibitors and attendees gathered to hear the results of the Summer Sweepstakes drawing for two Harley-Davidson motorcycles on Thursday afternoon.
Industry leaders will return to Houston next year for NAPE Summit, taking place February 11-15, 2019 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. NAPE Week will include five straight days of deal making, networking and professional development opportunities with the NAPE Summit Expo, Global Business Conference and NAPE Charities Luncheon, featuring the 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura W. Bush.
Registration for the 2019 NAPE Summit will open on September 5, and those interested in attending or participating with an exhibit booth may find additional information on the Exhibit page. Members of the media who would like to attend and cover NAPE are invited to register online or onsite.