The Offshore Europe oil show in Aberdeen later this year will be the biggest in the 30-year history of the industry showcase – despite the world’s economic problems.
The biennial event, which will inject tens of millions of pounds into the north-east economy, will have more than 1,500 companies from around the globe exhibiting.
They will occupy more than 234,000sqft of floor space – around 10% more than the 2007 show, itself a record.
A new temporary hall has been provided to accommodate them. And there is a waiting list of 300 companies if space becomes available.
Organiser the Offshore Europe Partnership said about 230 companies will be exhibiting at the Aberdeen event for the first time.
It also said that delegate numbers were holding up well, despite the credit crunch and lower oil prices.
OE 2007 pulled in more than 40,000 people from all corners of the world, and a similar number is anticipated for the 2009 event, which runs from September 8 to 11 at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC).
“Early indications from people registering are encouraging and ahead of schedule,” said a spokesman for the organiser.
OE exhibition manager Elaine Hulse highlighted the global profile of the event, with countries such as China taking three pavilions, and first-time pavilions from Spain and Western Australia. There will also be pavilions featuring previous participants such as the US, Norway, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and northern Australia.
Delegations from important international markets, including Brazil, Russia, Africa, and the Middle East, are lined up to visit.
Ms Hulse said organisers had made tremendous efforts to offer opportunities to local companies, with a new hall added for which priority was given to small and medium-sized firms in Aberdeen.
The 2007 show gave an estimated £40million boost to the north-east economy, with restaurants, hotels, bars and taxi firms benefiting.
AECC managing director Brian Horsburgh said: “Offshore Europe remains the single largest stand-alone event for us here at the AECC and, following on from the success of the 2007 event, it is extremely positive to see it continuing to go from strength to strength.”
Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future development manager Rita Stephen said: “The increase in the size of OE 2009 is a welcome boost both to the region’s economy and local businesses exhibiting.
“Since OE 2007 finished, ACSEF has been working closely with the Offshore Europe Partnership to maximise all the opportunities this showcase presents for our region in terms of inward investment and visitor attraction, as well as our robust oil and gas supply chain. ACSEF is also working with the partnership on the show’s impact. This includes working with accommodation providers to make sure we have sufficient bed space for visitors, and addressing transport issues.”
Scottish Council for Development and Industry’s manager for north-east Scotland Ian Armstrong said: “The ever-increasing scale and international flavour of Offshore Europe 2009 is welcome, but not a surprise.
“OE 2009 offers a great opportunity for Scottish businesses, large and small, to consolidate and develop their international links.”