Prepare For The OTC With Marty Stetzer

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Prepare For The OTC With Marty Stetzer"

Podcast: The Drill Down – Exploring Oil and Gas Topics
Host: Marty Stetzer
Guest: Michael Deleon (EKT Interactive)
Date: April 26, 2018
Duration: ~12 minutes

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Episode Overview

This episode is all about making the most out of your visit to Houston's Offshore Technology Conference (OTC). Hosted by industry veteran Marty Stetzer, with contributions from visual communications expert Michael Deleon, the discussion provides first-time OTC attendees (especially students and newcomers to oil & gas) with tips, strategies, and personal insights to help them navigate, learn, and connect at this massive industry event.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Value and Scale of OTC

• The OTC is described as the "world's biggest science fair" (02:00), and a central hub for the global oil and gas industry.
• The show draws companies ranging from big industry names to tech innovators and provides a hands-on, interactive way to learn about current trends and technologies.

2. First-Time OTC Impressions (Visual Communications Perspective)

• Michael Deleon recalls feeling overwhelmed by the scale and sensory overload:

  “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.” (02:08)

• Innovative visual techniques are leveraged by vendors to stand out and communicate complex topics.

3. Tips for Planning Your Visit

• Set a Clear Objective:

  "...have an objective. If you go there without one, you’re just blown away by the hundreds and hundreds of booths..." (02:41)

• Make a List of Target Companies: Use the free event map to plan an efficient route.
• Prioritize Companies Relevant to Your Interests:
  • Example: After seeing the BP Horizon movie, check out the Halliburton booth for cementing tech or Cameron for blowout preventers (BOPs). (03:20)
  • Visit well-known companies you’ve heard about in local media, e.g., Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, GE Oil and Gas.
• Spotlight Award Winners:

  "This award recognizes the best technology inventions of the past year... Engineering graduates can see how their classroom studies get translated into real iron and the latest technologies." (03:59)

4. Broadening Your Learning

• OTC is not just for petroleum engineers; mechanical, electrical, chemical, and IT experts will all find relevant technologies and content.
• Focus on "how ideas are communicated" visually and graphically, not just on the tech itself.

5. More than Booths: Presentations and Special Events

• University R&D Showcase and Technical Presentations:
  • 350+ peer-reviewed technical papers are presented in panels, often organized by professional societies (SPE, Society of Chemical Engineers, etc). (05:09)
• Breakfasts and Luncheons: Additional fee; feature talks by industry veterans on diverse topics like process safety management and offshore wind.
• Digitalization Track:

  “EKT Interactive has...podcasts that deal with oil filled digitization technologies like AI, machine learning, edge and cloud computing. I will be there Monday to listen to two offshore digitization case studies.” (05:53)

6. Navigating Logistics

• Footwear:

  "Wear really strong shoes or your cowboy boots because no matter how well I lay out a plan, I always end up doubling and tripling back." (06:33)

• Transportation: Avoid driving/parking hassles by taking the Metro train. (06:33)
• Tickets: Students with a university ID pay $25/day; free passes may be available with online search.

7. Scheduling—Best Days To Attend

• Monday: Best day for sharpest booth staff, energy, and less crowding.
• Tuesday: “A mob scene” with outside visitors and heavier crowds. (07:28)
• Wednesday: Still good, but some exhibitors are less energized.
• Thursday: Features the Energy Education Institute’s hands-on workshops for high school students and educators, focusing on interpreting industry data and classroom resources. (08:00)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On OTC’s Learning Potential:

  “As a mechanical engineer, I think it’s the world’s biggest science fair.” – Marty Stetzer (01:52)

• On Event Overwhelm:

  “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.” – Michael Deleon (02:12)

• On Booth Selection:

  “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 path so you're not zigzagging all over the place.” – Marty Stetzer (02:41)

• On Crowd Navigation:

  “I find a good test is how big the audience is in front of any of the booths. If you follow the crowd, you can’t miss.” – Marty Stetzer (04:52)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:01] – Episode introduction; purpose and guest background
• [01:19] – Michael Deleon introduces himself; initial OTC impressions
• [02:08] – Technology and innovative displays at OTC booths
• [02:41] – Marty’s step-by-step advice for first-time attendees
• [03:20] – Picking booths; connecting movies/media to real technology
• [03:59] – Spotlight Award winners and broad engineering interest
• [05:09] – R&D showcases, technical presentations, and panel sessions
• [06:33] – Logistics: footwear, transport, ticketing
• [07:28] – Daily schedule: best and worst times to attend
• [08:00] – Energy Education Institute for students and teachers

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Useful Links Mentioned

• www.otc.org – Official event planning resources
• www.ektinteractive.com – Free Oil 101 training series and podcast library

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Summary Takeaway

Marty and Michael offer a practical, engaging walkthrough of the OTC from two distinct perspectives—industry veteran and visual communicator—equipping listeners with actionable tips for maximizing their conference experience. Whether you're an engineering student, educator, or industry newcomer, thoughtful planning, focused goals, and attention to both content and communication styles will ensure you get the most out of this massive, dynamic event.

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Transcript

[A]

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]

Thanks Marty. Happy to help out.

[A]

Can you give our audience a little of your own background?

[B]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[B]

Great, but what do I look for?

[A]

Well, you've told me you've seen the BP Horizon movie. You might want to visit Halliburton to learn what cementing is really all about, or Cameron to see a real live blowout preventer called a bop. Or the Transocean booth to learn more about drilling rigs. Another way is to pick a Houston company name that you've seen in the Chronicle or heard on TV or the radio, like Schlumberger, Baker Hughes or GE Oil and Gas. Go visit their booths to see their equipment, meet their people and learn what they really do.

[B]

Interesting. I did see the movie. I liked it a lot actually. I might take your advice on that.

[A]

You can learn a lot by looking for what the OTC calls the Spotlight Award winners. They're listed on the OTC website and this award recognizes the best technology inventions of the past year. Engineering graduates can see how their classroom studies get translated into real iron and the latest technologies. Even though the OTC is primarily an oil and gas conference, you'll find innovations by mechanical, electrical, chemical engineers and especially IT experts, not just petroleum engineers or geologists. There are some things to see and learn. No matter what your interest is with your media background, it's a little different. As you visit any of the booths, note how they communicate their winning ideas both visually and graphically. How does this thing work and what is its benefit? I find a good test is how big the audience is in front of any of the booths. If you follow the crowd, you can't miss. The need for clear and interesting communications of these very technical messages is a booming industry in Houston.

[B]

Marty for our listeners, what else is available at the otc?

[A]

If you go to their website, there's a daily University R and D showcase. What I often look for is some of the technical presentations. There's over 350 technical papers presented this year, often in panels on the second floor of the NRG Center. All these papers are peer reviewed and professionally delivered and sponsored by technical societies like the spe, the Society Chemical Engineers, and many, many others. In addition to the booths, awards and tech papers, there's also a series of breakfast and luncheons. They cover quite a variety of topics, many you might not think would be at an oil and gas event. You can learn about process safety management which had its source in the chemical industry and the new offshore wind farms. In our case, EKT Interactive has established a pretty solid reputation in podcasts that deal with oil filled digitization technologies like AI, machine learning, edge and cloud computing. So I will be there Monday to listen to two offshore digitization case studies

[B]

all right Marty, that sounds great. One thing I noticed right off the bat coming off the Metro train was the size of this place. Any clues on logistics?

[A]

First, wear really strong shoes or your cowboy boots because no matter how well I lay out a plan, I always end up doubling and tripling back. Second, as a reminder, the OTC is at the NRG complex and runs from Monday, April 30 through Thursday. As a student with a university ID, your cost to attend is only $25 per day or try for one of the free complimentary passes. Third, don't drive to the OTC no matter what they tell you. No matter what time you go, even if you're there at 7 in the morning, you can end up parked in the boondocks. The best way to go to the OTC is to park anywhere near the line and take the Metro train.

[B]

Awesome. I've used the train when I lived on the east side and it works great. Marty, Any more clues? Say on something like scheduling it's a four day program.

[A]

Over the years I've learned from some of my buddies there are good days and not so good days. If you're new to the otc, Monday is a good one because everyone's fresh, the vendors have their best people at the booth and everyone seems pumped. If you're going to see the Spotlight award booths, you'll get the sharpest individuals to give you any needed explanations on Monday. Tuesday is really crowded because a lot of folks come in from Louisiana after they hit their offices. They fly over on Monday evening and show up on Tuesday. Tuesday is usually a mob scene. Wednesday is also a good day, but some of the booth presenters seem to run out of gas like I did when I had a booth at a trade show. And Thursday Thursday is interesting. Part of the event is set aside for what the OTC calls its Energy Education Institute. The Institute conducts two events, one for high school students and another for all grade level teachers. The student workshop is hands on and not only a lot of fun for the students, but incredibly educational. Students learn how to interpret data, a fundamental skill for both engineers and graphics folks. The Institute day also welcomes science teachers. Attendees receive hands on training and presentations by qualified facilitators as they tour the OTC hall. The teachers then receive a variety of free instructional materials to take back to their classrooms.

[B]

Thanks Marty, that actually sounds like something that I would be interested in with my background. So that was a very good summary and I really do hope to make it to the OTC this year.

[A]

If you go on Monday, I look forward to seeing you there. If you're Interested, go to www.otc.org and start planning your trip. Before you head to the event, pick out the vendor booths and papers you might want to see or hear. The breakfast and luncheons are extra money, but again, you'll hear firsthand what's going on from industry veterans. This is the 50th anniversary of the OTC and with crude prices recovered to the $70 level, you could see offshore and deep water activity come alive over the next couple of years. If you're new to oil and gas, be sure to check out our free Mobile Ready Oil 101 series on how the industry works at www.ektinteractive.com. thank you for listening and Michael, thanks so much for your help.