The Legacy of the 16th World Petroleum Congress – Calgary, Alberta
The 16th World Petroleum Congress was held in Calgary June 11th-15th, 2000 and was the first WPC held in Canada. Its theme was Petroleum for Global Development: Networking People, Business and Technology to Create Value.
Almost 3,000 delegates from 97 countries attended the congress. Overall attendance, including accompanying persons, press and exhibitors totalled 4,600, almost matching the 15th WPC attendance which was the largest WPC in two decades. The congress offered many innovations including a Global Business Opportunities Centre.
The sessions program comprised over 300 presentations in plenary or feature addresses, review and forecast papers (RFPs), forum papers and posters. The program was developed by the WPC Scientific Program Committee with considerable input from the Canadian Organizing Committee, the WPC Executive and national committees of other member countries. The Proceedings of the Congress areavailable both in hard copy and on CD Rom. The proceedings include summaries of discussions at sessions, in addition to addresses at opening ceremonies, closing ceremonies and special luncheons, and RFPs and forum papers.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONGRESS
The Canadian Association decided in 1990 to bid to host a WPC in Canada if there was broad industry support for doing so. Discussion with other industry organizations indicated there was wide support for such a bid. The first bid was made to host the 1997 congress for which there was extensive competition among WPC member countries. The hosting of that Congress was awarded to Chinain 1993. However, with the knowledge and experience from the first bid and continued industry support, the Canadian National Committee submitted a bid to host the 16th (year 2000) congress. Again there was strong competition but following a strengthened bid program and marketing, in April 1996 Canada was awarded the hosting of the congress.
The Canadian National Committee subsequently appointed an organizing committee(CANOC) initially comprised entirely of volunteers and provided it with broad directions on the objectives to be met and the regular reporting required to the Canadian Association management. CANOC, initially chaired by Ray Cej, comprised a select group of dedicated people most of whom had considerable experience in organizing industry events. Paid support staff was recruited beginning with a full time secretary in mid-1996 and an executive director in September 1997. The management of CANOC was strengthened in late 1998 with the appointment of James Gray as Chairman and Ray Cej as Co-chairman. The staff grew gradually to a peak of 27 in the spring of 2000. Volunteers continued to play key roles in management and development programs and, just prior to the congress, their numbers grew to near 1,000, some almost on a full time basis. These volunteers and staff were key to achieving a successful congress within a reasonable budget. The outstanding hospitality of Canadians and Calgarians drew extensive compliments from the congress participants.
The congress included a number of innovations including a Global Opportunities Centre (an exhibition with a strong business development orientation) and an improved electronic international communication system for national committees, session chairmen, authors and other congress participants.
16TH WPC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
CANOC, which reported regularly to the Canadian National Committee and the International Congress Arrangements Committee, was organized as follows
| Chairman | James K. Gray |
| Co-Chairman | Ray P. Cej |
| Executive Director | Barbara Zach |
| Sub Committee Chairs | |
| Finance | Duane Keinick |
| Services | Gerry Protti |
| Program Arrangements | Randy Gossen |
| Marketing | Sherrold Moore |
| Social Arrangements | Barry Giovanetto |
| Tour Arrangements | Tony Howard |
| Volunteers | Pat Moore |
| National Petroleum Show Liaison |
Peter Faloon |
