Unique opportunity to exhibit at global conference ONS 2016

06 April 2016

North-east businesses are being invited to showcase their services at a major offshore conference in Norway this summer.

Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils are getting ready to attend the Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Exhibition, Conference and Festival in Stavanger in August.

The two local authorities are inviting local businesses to join them on their stand in the Scottish Development International (SDI) pavilion, which has a prominent location at the event, to showcase regional talents, expertise, innovation, products and services. Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council are offering the opportunity to exhibit for £1500 plus VAT.

With more than 40 years’ experience, ONS invites delegates from the international oil and gas industry to network, debate, do business and plan for the future. Bringing together heads of governments, ministers, managers, technical specialists and analysts, ONS gives exhibiting companies the chance to test the market, find new customers, identify new contacts and experience the far-reaching support that exhibiting with a local authority can bring.

Aberdeen City Council Leader Councillor Jenny Laing said: “Aberdeen is a global brand. As a council and along with the private sector, it is crucial that we are competing with other world energy cities and representing the city on a global stage. With the announcement of the City Region Deal, ONS is a fantastic opportunity for us to expand our presence within the oil and gas sector whilst exploring the international market.”

Belinda Miller, Aberdeenshire Council’s Head of Economic Development, commented: “Aberdeenshire’s oil and gas supply chain has an enviable global reputation which has been built up over many years. ONS has always offered companies an important opportunity to raise awareness in the Norwegian sector and I am delighted that Aberdeenshire Council is once again supporting our companies to attend.”

Tommy Hillock, Business Development Director of Global SCS, one of the Aberdeen companies who joined the Aberdeen City and Shire stand at ONS 2014, explained why joining the local authorities in Stavanger worked well for his organisation.

He said: “The Aberdeen City and Shire stand, in conjunction with the SDI pavilion, was a great success for Global SCS. We had several clients and other guests visit the stand and we were able to provide them with Scottish hospitality which was a real bonus! Also, being in the Aberdeen City and Shire pavilion along with fellow Scottish nationals and businesses provides a sense of togetherness and you can use the support of being part of a team. This is great because it is quite a tough task going it alone at an international event. The stand was in an ideal spot where there was always a flow of visitors, allowing us to engage with the delegates.”

The event takes place every two years and sets the perfect scene to boost business, with over 90,000 visitors from across 100 nationalities attending ONS 2014. A new exhibition hall is set to be unveiled for ONS 2016 at the event launch on 29th August 2016. The event will run for four days until 1st September.

For full details of the chance to exhibit on the City and Shire stand or to register your interest, please contact us at international@aberdeencity.gov.uk for companies based in Aberdeen, or at alistair.c.reid@aberdeenshire.gov.uk for companies based in Aberdeenshire.