News
26 July 2013

Global Technology Conference (GTC) 2013

Communications Director, Alison Abbott spoke with David Tyler to get the lowdown on the annual GTC.

Alison: What does GTC stand for?

David: GTC stands for Global Technology Conference. The WLPGA has been running these since 2006 when we had our first one in Chicago. The world’s latest LP Gas technology is showcased at GTC every year.

Alison: Who can enter GTC?

David: GTC is open to anyone who has some technology they want to share with the LP Gas industry and who is available to attend and present that technology at the conference during the World Forum. We have had scientists, equipment manufacturers, marketers, producers, students and even the general public submit ideas for GTC.

Alison: How do you select the papers that are presented at GTC?

David: We have a steering committee that is made up of senior people selected across the LP Gas industry from our membership and that committee is co-chaired by the WLPGA President (Kimball Chen) and WLPGA Managing Director (James Rockall). Members of the steering committee represent both developed and developing markets and come from all corners of the globe. They submit their recommendations through a ranking process based on a number of criteria.

Alison: What is the criteria for selection?

David: Well of course we are looking for new technical innovation but the committee is also looking for ideas that improve safety, creates commercial potential, creates new markets and offers the opportunity for enhancing the image of the LP Gas industry.

Alison: How many papers get selected for GTC?

David: It’s a very busy half day event and we just have enough time for ten papers to be presented together with questions. However because the competition for selection is so fierce we decided a couple of years ago to include every idea that was submitted in the form of a poster display that is set up during the Forum inside the exhibition. This allows for all the ideas to be accessed by everyone attending the GTC which we think is fairer for everybody. Our two moderators this year, Makoto Arahata from the Japan LP Gas Association, and Tucker Perkins from PERC in the USA, will strictly manage the programme.

Alison: Is there a winner of GTC?

David: Yes. Every year we have a WLPGA Innovation Award which is based on the best submission presented at the previous years’ GTC. So this year we will present a winner and runner up award to the best two papers, selected by the GTC steering committee, from the GTC 2012 in Bali. Our Managing Director, James Rockall, will make those presentations during lunch on 1st October at the WLPGA booth in the exhibition.

Alison: When do you start planning for GTC 2014?

David: We start in November 2013 with the announcement of ‘submission for abstracts’. The process then takes around 8 months to prepare for GTC 2014 in Miami.

Alison: Where will GTC 2013 be held?

David: It’s being held at the QEII Conference Centre in London where the World Forum is being held this year, right opposite Westminster Abbey. GTC is on Tuesday 1st October in the morning. I suspect because this year the World Forum is being held in conjunction with the AEGPL conference and the UKLPG conference, and because of the quality of the submissions on show are so good, GTC 2013 in London will be one of the most popular ever.

Alison: How do you register for GTC?

David: Registration for GTC can either be through full Forum registration programme or as selective registration (access to GTC only)… www.wlpgasforum-aegpl2013.com/registration/registration/32 ; and of course it’s free access for exhibitors.