Transcript
A (0:01)
Hi everyone and welcome to the Drill down with Marty Stetzer. This 12 minute podcast is part of our EKTI Oil and Gas Learning Network and brought to you by Oil101, our free introduction to oil and gas. Our subject today is how to get maximum benefit out of visiting the upcoming offshore technology conference, often called the OTC in Houston. This is short notice. The 2018 OTC starts Monday, April 30th and runs through Thursday. You can actually get in for free by using Google search on OTC 2018. Complimentary pass. Today I'm joined by Michael Deleon. He's been working with EKT Interactive for the last three years, designing and developing high quality interactive audio and visual education products for our 10,000 member community. I've often dragged Michael to the OTC and I'm getting his help today to explain how other graduates and folks interested in the industry can come up the curve on how to leverage their first otc visit. Michael, welcome.
B (1:13)
Thanks Marty. Happy to help out.
A (1:16)
Can you give our audience a little of your own background?
B (1:19)
Certainly. I'm usually the guy behind the console telling others how to speak, so this should be interesting. My background is in visual communication. I have degrees in both digital media and instructional design from the University of Houston, which happens to be our hometown. The OTC is a really big deal here. Anyone connected to or interested in oil and gas should really check it out. Even for someone like me, it helps to understand the industry better and lets me think of ways to apply this knowledge in training and education scenarios.
A (1:52)
Over the years, we found one of the best learning opportunities in Houston is the otc. As a mechanical engineer, I think it's the world's biggest science fair. But what was your reaction as more of a visual communication expert when you went with us a couple times?
B (2:08)
My first reaction was where do I begin? The thing I noticed was how much technology is used at the vendor booths, multi display videos, interactive screens, VR, augmented reality, even gaming. There are lots of interesting and creative ways being used to capture the audience's attention. It's awesome, but can also be very overwhelming on first sight. So Marty, how about some help? If this is the first OTC for our listener, what are some clues to make the first time at the event productive?
A (2:41)
Okay, Michael, let me give it a try. The first clue is like anything else to have an objective. If you go there without one, you're just blown away by the hundreds and hundreds of booths and each one of them is trying harder than the other to sell you and explain what they're doing. There's no way a first timer can get much out of it without making a list of target companies that he or she would want to see. There is a free map. When you register, suggest you mark out the location of the target company booths on the map and then figure out somewhat of an efficient pass so you're not zigzagging all over the place.
