Northsound 2 at Offshore Europe

Offshore Europe - Day 4 As it happened

2009-09-11T16:51:00.002+01:00

One final day for the biggest conference and exhibition of it's kind to come to Aberdeen - Offshore Europe 2009, and we were still chatting!

Friday had a different buzz about it, with not just delegates in the arena, but also, school students and people with trolleys who were eager to get the call to start taking everything down and packed away.

Mike Duncan works with Opito, and is tasked with staging the Energizing The Future programme. With him, a couple of 'customers' in the form of Banchory Academy students, Sylvie and Hannah.

Lastly for the week, Elaine Hulse of the organisers who staged the entire exhibition.

And as we sat there, she explained how planning for 2011 is already underway.

Offshore Europe back in Aberdeen in 2 years, but of course, there's always Stavanger next year.

Fancy it?

Thanks for listening.

Offshore Europe - Day 3 as it happened

2009-09-10T16:00:00.001+01:00

Thursday was a bit of a surreal one for me, chatting to someone I used to work with, and another person I was in school with.

Most frustratingly, the school friend looked ten years younger than me! Damn you Martin.

First on then, Communications Manager from Aberdeen Airport, Sarah Campbell

Then the school-mate who's now the Catering Operations Manager at the AECC. Martin Caldwell explained just how much work the catering team have to undertake for something as enormous in nature as Offshore Europe.

In true Blue Peter style, here's one we did earlier, after we finished the show. It's not often these days you find a true gentleman of sport, but Sir Chris Hoy is one of them.

Last in for Thursday, the incoming chief of the Offshore division of the Health And Safety Executive, Steve Walker.

The last show of the week is tomorrow, and we'll be there, as always, from 10, provided we can get a parking space.

25 million pounds into the economy, 18 million of which is in parking fines!

Offshore Europe - Day 2 as it happened

2009-09-09T16:49:00.008+01:00

Day 2 of Offshore Europe - and another busy one.

First up on the programme the Secretary Of State For Scotlnd, Jim Murphy MP, discussed his plans for a cross party, cross sector task force aimed at pulling Scotland out of the recession and placing the nation best equipped to capitalize on a brighter future.

Rita Steven, chatted about the blueprints for a technology and lifestyle corridor as proposed by the Energetica Project from the Aberdeen City And Shire Energy Forum.

Following an article which I saw last week where someone described the workers of the offshore industry as being eithe grey hair or nae hair, the sector has acknowledged the need for encouraging new blood to enter it as they go forward. But how do they engage with a younger audience and pull them in? Bob Keiller is one of the 'Dragons' who explained.

Into the lunch hour we met possibly the world's most attractive cyclist! is it possible to glam cycling up for a magazine photoshoot? You decide.

Olympic Gold Medal Winner, Victoria Pendleton.

And if you're wondering why an Olympic cyclist might attend.....don't dwell on that for too long, because you then you won't be able to consider why there's a magician called Chris Dugdale there too.

Last for the day, a Captain Kirk style super whizzy chair. (Yes - that's a technical term) Ingvar from Aker was showcasing it.

Day 1 at Offshore Europe - as it happened

2009-09-08T16:01:00.004+01:00

One in - three to go.

As an Offshore Europe newbie, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the event, although the first, obviously, was exceptionally heavy traffic.

On that score, I'm delighted to say we were pleasantly surprised by the relative ease with which we reached the venue.

Having said that - we then made up for our cracking commute time by taking all of about an hour to register!

Still, it did give us time to witness just how vast an undertaking this actually is. In excess of 1500 different exhibitors are all making their pitch and hoping to increase their slice of the pie.

And they do that in myriad inventive eye-catching ways.

Everything from magicians, through semi clad girls, who, despite my best efforts have succeeded in eluding me thus far! Tomorrow's another day though!

I don't think in advance I appreciated the likelihood of the sheer enormity of some of the displays there. When I got there first, I made my way to the Northsound 2 stand, which on first inspection looked great. Not to take anything away from the multi skilled and talented staff who've worked on it - it does look great, and had we given them the budget of some of the others, we would probably have turned out something just as grand.

As it is - our stand (Number 393 - and we'd still love to see you there this week!) is positively dwarfed by some of the monstrosities there.

They're on two or three levels.

They have built in stairs, terraces, restaurants, bars. Chefs cooking to order.

It really is a spectacle.

And the breadth of nations involved is astonishing too.

At first glance I picked out Scotland, clearly, along with Italy, Holland, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Germany, and more. And that was just scratching the surface.

The object appears to be to out-goody-bag the competitors.

I felt quite insignificant with my Northsound 2 pens and merchandise, compared to some of the stuff on offer there.

And it's not just products - there are party nights, restaurant invitations....

You name it, it's on offer.

Don't know what it says about me that the producer was offered the restaurant invitations by formal oil company employees, and I got the flyers for the lap dancing clubs!

Our production team's big off-air project for the week is to source and blag as much quality stuff as possible.

If it's good we may auction it off on air for Northsound 2's charity, Cash For Kids.

If it's REALLY good, you've nae chance!

On the show today we chatted to Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, who was keen to start the soundbites, referring to Aberdeen as a 'Global Energy Hub'. Not the last time you'll hear that term this week, I'd confidently predict.

Also featuring, some Aberdeen companies exhibiting on a world stage for the first time.

Mark Griffiths of Codify explained how his company is using it's knowledge base to create market specific solutions in conjunction with the expertise of Microsoft's latest Surface technology.

You can visit their stand at C31 for a truly futuristic Minority Report experience that dispenses with the need for screen,keyboard and mouse technology.

Gordon Adie, MD of another local firm, Arrowdawn, explained how their recent success with Cisco systems resulted in them being awarded Cisco's Scottish Small Business Award, as well as lots of new contracts.

Lastly for today, Rita Stephen spoke to us about the Energetica Project which we'll post online in full for you tomorrow.

Also tomorrow, on the programme, you'll hear from Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, and learn about how the industry is engaging the interest of the youth of today, to try to encourage them to build the successes of tomorrow. Don't miss the Dragons' Den news.

See you tomorrow at ten.

Day 1 of Offshore Europe - We're here

2009-09-08T09:16:00.000+01:00

Good Morning,

We've touched down and aim to be blogging live from the event, as and when time allows.

Now registered, and complete with flashy lanyards, we're in the main arena, on stand 393, just next to one of the catering areas. Sorted!

Don't forget, on the show today, First Minister Alex Salmond, just after 10, and we get futuristic with touch-screen technology akin to Minority Report.

Plus, loads more.

We're on at 10.

In the meantime, any pronunciation assistance for the company occupying the stand across from us, is most welcome!

They're called Fuchs.

The week of Offshore Europe - Day 1. Offshore Europe Eve

2009-09-07T19:02:00.001+01:00

Making the news today - Two of the child stars of Slumdog Millionaire, which I’ve STILL never seen, are set to earn a grand a day appearing in a film with Anthony Hopkins.

Rubina Ali - who's nine - and ten-year-old Azhar Ismail have reportedly been signed up for Lord Owen's Lady - which is billed as a Welsh Bollywood movie.

That’s got to be the first of its kind, I’d think.

A Welsh Bollywood movie.

Makes sense though.

Don’t know about you, but every time I try an Indian accent it comes out sounding Welsh.

Now it’s come full circle.

Meanwhile, more towards the sort of thing we're dealing with this week.

Just in case you get excited....let me cut this one off at the source.

I always read things online from some zoomers who use AFC chat boards....about what’s going on at Pittodrie, and I know this one will most likely generate chat in the week.

If you happen to be walking past Pittodrie and see at the far end of the car park, a big American vehicle...with a driver opening the door for the man who is obviously money riding in the back of it....all stetson, cowboy boots, wing tipped suit, and bad hair......it's not a saviour flying in to pump cash into the Dons.

They’ve just leased the car park to Offshore Europe for Park and Ride to the AECC for the week.

Don't say I didn't tell you.

Economy is going to be a word that features prominently over the next four days.

One year ago today - the US Government took control of the two largest mortgage financing companies in the States.... Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Sounds like a couple of cartoon characters doesn’t it - which is odd because that’s pretty much how they ran their companies.

Speaking of which - further back in time: 7th September 1974...again in America - cartoon fans saw the small screen debut of a new superhero called 'Hong Kong Phooey'.

Hong Kong Phooey.

Panrific.

How cool was he?

Saved the world in his goonie.

Lived in a filing cabinet.

He did.

That’s what he jumped out of anyway.

All great stuff.....

Do you remember, by day he was a mild mannered janitor called Henry. I always wondered, if, in the bottom drawer of that cabinet, that’s where he kept his sawdust for throwing over puke.

Every other janitor I’ve ever known always has the puke sawdust on standby somewhere handy.

Who else was there on there?

Sarge.

Rosemary the telephone operator. "Hello Hello...."

I tell you - she could teach our receptionist a thing or two.

You know, even just by picking the phone up and answering it, rather than simply sitting there berating whichever councillor’s on the front page of the P and J that morning.

Two things of note also making a few headlines today, just prior to Offshore Europe's launch.

1. The amount of UK personal debt has fallen for the first time since records began.

Wow.

Aye, maybe in your house.

I’m not saying we’re in danger, but the bank our mortgage is with has sent round a guy to move in, to be closer to 'the property'

2. Given the nature of the news that we're all apparently better off, in a week which sees a lot of socializing - call it networking if if makes you feel better - this is also noteworthy, and featuring in the national press today “To treat a hangover we should eat asparagus.”

I don’t know who came up with that, but it’s hardly brilliant, is it?

Treat a hangover with green chunky stuff.

However, that said - you be the judge. I'm not your keeper

Have a look here at a guide for delegates, as provided by Fifth Ring.

I love the inclusion of Dizzy's. Back in the Northsound King's Gate days, it was known as Studio 3!

The next platform arriving at this station....

2009-09-07T18:07:00.002+01:00

I've done more introductions this week than Cynthia Payne, and it's only Monday evening (!) - but here goes again.

Hello. My Name is John Mellis, and I'm a DJ on Northsound 1, in Aberdeen.

This week though, I'm here on Northsound 2, Northsound 1's sister flavour, for the duration of the biennial conference that is Offshore Europe.

Whenever it takes place, we're always bombarded with facts.

Facts like, there are 40,000 delegates from the energy industry descending upon the north east of Scotland over the next few days.

Facts like, it injects anywhere between £25,000,000 and £40,000,000 into the north east's economy.

Facts like, there are no beds in any hotel, B and B, travel inn, caravan, tent, or RV, anywhere north of Brechin. They even sleep 4 deep on the hay in the stables.

Hey - this week it's all about the networking.

Facts like, there are in excess of 1500 companies all exhibiting their goods and services.

Facts like, there will be 1 less bus strike than had previously been feared.

Effectively, what all these facts add up to is the mother of all traffic jams.

For 4 days.

But it's ONLY 4 days, and it's 4 days where, if you own any kind of service business in the north east, chances are you're going to benefit directly - like Didier Dejean of the Silver Darling restaurant, who says one oil company had booked out the entire restaurant for tomorrow night, over a year ago, and they've been booked every night of this week, for over a month now. Even allowing, he still expects his business to deal with approximately 200 calls per day hoping to book a table last minute.

And his is only one story of many.

Over the course of the week, I'll be chatting to Scotland's First Minister, Alex Salmond, Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy, major names from the energy industry worldwide, as well as local business people hoping to make their mark and improve their stakes as a result of this conference, the largest of it's kind to date in Aberdeen.

But amongst all the facts and figures - the millions of pounds sterling, the thousands of column inches, the hundreds of TV and Radio news minutes, the tens extra on your journey to and from work - let me give you one more number.

16.

The number of lives lost on April 1st 2009 in the North Sea helicopter tragedy.

Just 5 short months ago.

16 - worth far more than the millions, the thousands and the hundreds.

16 which can never be replaced.

So as we look to these 4 days to generate hope for a future return to prosperity and propulsion from recession, to provide illuminated insight and showcase technology which can work harder, faster, better, and stronger than before - let's also pause to consider what's truly important, before we all get carried away by the number crunching.

If you're involved in Offshore Europe at all, I wish you unheralded success and prosperity.

If you still mourn the loss of loved ones as a direct result of this industry, I wish that every day for you, will be even, just a little better than the last.

I'm back for the launch of Offshore Europe, Tuesday morning at 10, just after McRuvie In The Morning.

I promise I won't dwell on the down side, but felt at the outset it was vitally important not to dismiss it out of hand.

Tomorrow, first up, Scotland's First Minister, the latest from the Energetica project, and revolutionary technology from Microsoft which dispenses with the need for a mouse or keyboard!

See you at 10.