IPLOCA 2018 Convention
During the Open General Meetings (OGMs) on Thursday and Friday, high profile speakers covered a wide variety of topics including leadership and challenges faced in pipeline projects, how to approach the smart pipeline, risk assessment, trends in energy efficiency and sustainable energy, the Southern Gas Corridor and lessons learnt from mega pipeline projects. The opening speaker shared information on the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the 25 kilometer ‘super sewer’, that is currently under construction along the Thames river.
The IPLOCA Convention is an annual gathering that brings together prominent and leading global players in the pipeline construction industry. It takes place over five days and registration is restricted to IPLOCA members, media partners and guests of IPLOCA members. The convention combines a unique opportunity for pipeline industry members to network, learn about industry trends, receive updates from high profile speakers and participate in cultural tours organised by IPLOCA.
The 52nd Annual Convention held from 10 to 14 September took place for the first time in London since being founded in 1966. The Park Plaza Westminster London welcomed just over 530 participants to the event.
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) consisted of the President’s Year in Review, the Treasurer’s report on the status of IPLOCA’s accounts and the incoming President’s objectives for the year. The results of the 2018-2019 Board of Directors elections were ratified during this meeting.
John Tikkanen, Advisor to the CEO of Shawcor was elected as IPLOCA’s 2018-2019 President. Iosif Panchak of J.S. Welding & Building Co, and Oliviero Corvi of Bonatti S.p.A. were elected 1st and 2nd Vice President respectively, and Adam Wynne Hughes of Pipeline Induction Heat (PIH) was confirmed as Treasurer.
During the OGMs, three industry awards were presented: the IPLOCA Health & Safety Award sponsored by Chevron, the IPLOCA Environmental Award sponsored by Shell and the IPLOCA Excellence in Project Execution Award. The 2018 IPLOCA Scholarship Programme recipients were also announced.
In addition to the usual presentations, this year Business to Business (B2B) prescheduled sessions of 10 minute one-to-one meetings were offered to delegates with the following companies: Fluor, Kalpataru, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Saudi Aramco, Shell and TransCanada Mexico. The convention participants also had the possibility to attend informative poster sessions with CRC-Evans, LaValley Industries, Gulf Publishing Company, Shawcor, Perma-Pipe and RSK Group.
The cultural programme included visits to many of the famous icons of London such as Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Science Museum, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.
Thank you to all our delegates, speakers and sponsors for your support of IPLOCA’s 52nd Annual Convention.
The speakers presentations can be downloaded here.