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What makes LAGCOE important to the energy industry?

Aug 21, 2017 / News

What’s in a name? If you went strictly by the name, Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition (LAGCOE), you’d be missing out on much of what makes LAGCOE important to today’s energy industry.

Louisiana – For 62 years, LAGCOE’s expositions have been held every other year in Lafayette, in the heart of America’s energy corridor. Today, LAGCOE reaches far beyond the borders of Louisiana. LAGCOE 2015 attracted attendees from 49 states and 46 countries. Since 2001, there has been a focus on international markets. LAGCOE has been one of only two oil and gas shows in the U.S. to be chosen to participate in the International Buyer Program Select through the U.S. Department of Commerce. In addition to the shows themselves, promotion of industry commerce through regular outreach and networking with international markets has become a regular part of LAGCOE’s year-round operations.

Gulf Coast – Traditionally an upstream-focused event, this year LAGCOE 2017 launches into the midstream, maritime and LNG industries, thus expanding its reach and opening up many new possibilities. This is one of many examples of LAGCOE adapting to changing industry needs.

Oil – Gas certainly plays a much larger role in today’s energy market than it did in 1955 when

LAGCOE began. The growing LNG market in southwest Louisiana is pushing LAGCOE beyond even traditional oil and gas and towards the term “energy,” to be more encompassing of all that is going on in both the Louisiana and world markets.

Exposition – Yes, LAGCOE still hosts one of the oldest and largest industry technical expositions & conferences in the U.S. every other year. But, LAGCOE has grown to include a number of other avenues that help to achieve its mission to cultivate economic growth of the energy industry by facilitating domestic & global business development and fostering the energy workforce pipeline.

Through the LAGCOE Education Fund, 501(c)(3) funding for projects and programs supporting educational efforts for or about the energy industry is provided. The Future Energy Professionals program has provided five students with more than $43,000 in higher education scholarships. LAGCOE has established additional scholarships and endowed professorships at both University of Louisiana at Lafayette and South Louisiana Community College. In addition, STEM education support programs are currently being expanded to further generational industry education.

LAGCOE offers a Young Professionals of LAGCOE (YPL) membership. This group’s mission is to provide career development and networking opportunities to young professionals looking to become the next industry leaders. This is achieved through a continuous program of industry networking events, mentor programs and active fundraising in support of the LAGCOE Education Fund.

LAGCOE remains committed to promoting commerce, fostering education and connecting people within the energy industry by centering initiatives around innovation, education, workforce development, volunteers and community. Both individual and corporate participation is available.

As an organization, LAGCOE is proud of its growth throughout the last 62 years. Be on the lookout for more to come as LAGCOE continues to outgrow its former name for the benefit of the industry.

Angela Cring is executive director of LAGCOE, an energy industry nonprofit organization focused on educational programs and a technical exposition & conference, held biennially in October at the Cajundome & Convention Center. Save the Date for LAGCOE 2017: October 24-26, 2017. Visit LAGCOE.com.