Energy producers and industry vendors converge again in Wichita Falls this week with a sense of optimism, as their statewide agency holds its annual meeting.
The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers opens Tuesday at MPEC on a wave of cheerfulness as the industry has seen an uptick in revenue and job potential.
"Absolutely, there is a sense of optimism in oil patch these days," said John Tintera, alliance president and chief of staff. "We're seeing this in a number ways, from new membership, selling tickets, to the number of booths, those expected at the barbecue. There is definitely optimism."
Tintera doesn't expect those gathered for the Expo to exhibit a sense of complacency. They've seen the ebbs and flows for too many years.
"I also think there is some caution with this," Tintera said. "We've all known reversals to go quickly. It's hard to estimate the up and downs of a commodity produced and traded on a global scale.
"But what I'm seeing is stability into the foreseeable future. For the remainder of the year, I do see stability in no dramatic shifts either way."
The Alliance's 2018 Expo & Annual Meeting begins Tuesday with a golf scramble at the Wichita Falls Country Club. While golfers enjoy the fun competition, vendors will be setting up their wares in the MPEC Exhibit Hall.
About 75 vendors will be exhibiting such items and interests as subsurface exploration services; well drilling; the Midwestern State University Dillard College of Energy Management; Gulf of Mexico energy activity; the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank and other nonprofits; and industry-related publications.
Symposiums begin at 1 p.m. with a welcome by Dr. Ken Morgan, professor and director of the Energy Institute at Texas Christian University. A reception will start at 5:30 p.m. and the buffet line for the barbecue dinner by The Mavericks will open at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday's events will feature Harold Hamm – for the 8 a.m. breakfast – who is chairman and CEO of Continental Resources. Tintera called Hamm "renown" in the industry. The breakfast will be held in Kay Yeager Coliseum.
The membership luncheon, also in the coliseum, will feature a native Wichitan who happens to hold the state's highest office.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who is from Wichita Falls, will be the keynote speaker at 11:30 a.m.
The alliance president expects about 1,000 in attendance for the barbecue reception Tuesday night, and as many as 500 to hear featured speakers.
"It's exciting to have the governor here; that's something all of us are looking forward to," Tintera said, "looking forward to shaking his hand and hearing what his vision for Texas is going forward. I would encourage anyone to come down and hear what he has to say. He's from Wichita Falls. We have fond affection for Gov. Abbott."
Tintera excited to see the expo return to Wichita Falls again this year.
"We love Wichita Falls and the North Texas area," he said. "Our home is in North Texas, and we have this opportunity to share this oil field and jobs story with all of Texas. That makes us feel good."