A POPULAR annual business event which links two of the world’s leading energy hubs will return in March.
The Aberdeen-Houston Gateway aims to help companies seeking to grow their global footprint or increase international collaboration.
It will once again offer a valuable platform for bringing together expertise from both sides of the Atlantic for a variety of networking and knowledge sharing opportunities.
The event – which is created by Granite PR and managed by Business Plus Scotland – is supported by a variety of businesses and organisations including this year’s launch sponsors, Katy Area Economic Development Council (EDC), Texas Global Business Network (TGBN), PKF Texas/Johnston Carmichael and Centrifuges Un-Limited.
This year’s inbound delegation of Houston business representatives will be led by the British Consul General in Houston, Karen Bell who took on her current role in July last year.
During their visit they will take part in a series of one-to-one meetings, tours and events which will maximise opportunities to open up lines of communication and discussion.
One of the highlights will be the popular flagship lunch at Aberdeen’s Macdonald Norwood Hall Hotel on Tuesday, March 22nd.
New to the itinerary for 2016 will be the ‘Shire Showcase’ which will take place at Macdonald Pittodrie House Hotel on Wednesday, March 23rd and bring the Aberdeen-Houston Gateway to a new part of the North-east of Scotland.
Katy Area EDC is a full-service private, non-profit economic development corporation founded in 2003.
The organisation seeks to make the Katy area a premier destination to work and to live through planned economic growth and economic development. Since its inception, the Katy Area EDC has grown to over 190 members, has a budget of over $800,000 and has assisted in the creation of over 15,000 jobs and more than $1.5 billion in capital investment.
Texas Global Business Network (TGBN) is a networking group of seasoned professionals who have experience in assisting overseas businesses to establish US offices, acquire US businesses and assist with growth. Current members include BoyarMiller, TradeMark Insurance Agency LLC, Beatty CPA, Paychex, CBRE, Foster Global, The Lea Group and Comerica, each of whom ‘bring to the table’ many years of experience in arenas ranging from law and tax to insurance, shadow payroll, real estate and HR.
PKF Texas is an internationally-focused CPA firm in Houston, Texas with a dedicated team serving international business community for 30 years. Speaking 20 languages, the team is uniquely qualified to assist inbound energy related foreign owned businesses and private equity backed and publicly traded companies, including those from Aberdeen and the UK.
As members of PKF International, a network of independent accounting firms, both PKF Texas and Johnston Carmichael have the resources to do business around the globe. With their knowledge of the business landscape in each country, partners in both firms have the expertise and understanding of the specific requirements needed to ensure seamless continuity of service for global business and taxation.
Centrifuges Un-Limited specialise in heat transfer and mechanical separation. The company’s heat transfer division specialises in mud cooling for high pressure high temperature (HPHT) fluid management. The mechanical separation division specialises in fuel/oily water separation and Elvos® solution is utilised for slop oil treatment in decom, rig drains, well testing activities. Key markets include UK/Norway, Egypt, Middle East, Africa, Asia and the American Gulf.
Commenting on plans for the 2016 Aberdeen-Houston Gateway, Granite PR founder and managing director, Brett Jackson, said: “Even at a time when businesses are suffering cuts in many parts of the globe, it is important to understand the value in maintaining a presence of an operation in Houston.
“The city provides excellent global networks so, when the upturn does come, it makes an ideal base from which to begin to bounce back.
“We are delighted to welcome on board our launch sponsors for this year’s event. The involvement of both in the Aberdeen-Houston Gateway will provide Aberdeen delegates with an exciting insight into the possibilities which exist in Houston and beyond.”
Travis Middleton, of Texas Global Business Network (TGBN), added: “I first became involved with the Aberdeen-Houston Gateway four years ago and have found this particular event substantial in providing access to both Aberdeen and Houston companies. This has allowed our practice to evolve and build on these relationships, developing new clients and expanding our markets.
“Brett Jackson, Granite PR, and staff have been exceptional in facilitating our successes. I very much look forward to meeting again in Aberdeen to extend and broaden our international relationships through Aberdeen, Granite PR, and Texas Global Business Network.”
Katy Area EDC president/CEO, Lance LaCour, added: “Over the past several years, we have developed great relationships with organisations and businesses involved with the Houston-Aberdeen Gateway. The opportunity to visit Aberdeen and attend this event is something we could not pass up as it will allow us to continue to grow our already strong partnerships. We look forward to continuing to help businesses from the Aberdeen area and UK grow in the Katy area.”
Said Frank Landreneau, CPA, director, International Tax, PKF Texas: “PKF Texas is proud to once again participate in the Aberdeen Houston Gateway.
“The current global business climate demands strong cross-border relationships, and the Aberdeen Houston Gateway is the perfect venue to develop and build these relationships.”
Niall Farquharson, joint managing partner at Johnston Carmichael in Aberdeen, commented: “The links between Houston and Aberdeen are long-established, and at this moment in time it is more important than ever that we look to support and advise the sector as it faces challenging conditions. I look forward to discussing the collaboration projects with our partners and understanding how we can help boost the opportunities for our clients in this vital industry.”
Centrifuges Un-Limited managing director, Jim Shiach, said: “Although times in the industry are tough the requirement for niche solutions remain high as this is where the customer will gain benefit and added value through smarter solutions and the Aberdeen-Houston Gateway is an excellent opportunity for us to share what we do.”
The Aberdeen-Houston Gateway 2016 is supported by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, AEL, British-American Business Council, Centrifuges Un-Limited, Energy Voice, Grampian-Houston Association, Greater Houston Partnership, Her Majesty’s Consul General Houston, Katy Area Economic Development Council (EDC), Keller Williams, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Paradigm Flow Services, Petrasco, PKF Texas/Johnston Carmichael, The Press and Journal, RS Occupational Health (A DISA Company), SDI, Skene Business Centres, Skene House HotelSuites, Texas Global Business Network (TGBN) and UKTI.
To find out more or to book a place, contact event managers, Business Plus Scotland; email events@bpscotland.co.uk or call 01651 891374.
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