October is an exciting time for SPE members around the world because it means the Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition (ATCE) is nearly here. This year, ATCE will take place 21–23 October, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Whether you are an experienced technical professional, an emerging leader, a student, a young professional, an executive, an entrepreneur, or a job seeker, ATCE offers opportunities to learn, build relationships, and advance your career. The key is to approach the conference with a plan and a clear understanding of the value you want to gain, as well as the value you can bring back to your organization.
A Strategic Investment in Knowledge and Capability
ATCE brings together technical experts, industry leaders, innovators, service providers, and energy professionals from around the world. The program provides access to the latest technical information, case studies, emerging technologies, best practices, and practical solutions addressing some of the industry's most important challenges.
For many attendees, the greatest value begins with the technical program. Before arriving, take time to review the agenda and identify the technical sessions, special sessions, strategic panels, and general sessions most relevant to your responsibilities and professional interests. Consider attending ticketed events such as Technical Section Receptions, the Keynote Luncheon, the Awards Banquet, and the President's Luncheon and Annual Meeting of Members.
If several members of your organization are attending, develop a team strategy. Divide coverage of important sessions so that your organization can maximize its investment and benefit from a broader range of presentations and discussions. After the conference, share key insights, lessons learned, new technologies, and industry contacts with your colleagues.
This approach transforms ATCE from an individual professional development activity into an investment that benefits the entire organization.
Make the Business Case for Attending
Some employers require employees to provide justification before approving conference attendance. A strong business case should clearly connect the ATCE program with your role, responsibilities, and your organization's objectives. For a sample justification letter, find it here on the ATCE registration page under FAQs and Justification Letter.
ATCE offers a unique opportunity to gain actionable knowledge from experts and leaders across the energy industry. The program includes conceptual technologies, case studies, lessons learned, and practical solutions that can help professionals address technical and business challenges more effectively.
Consider committing to delivering a post-conference summary or presentation that includes:
- Key insights from technical and strategic sessions
- New technologies, products, and services observed in the exhibition
- Relevant industry trends, best practices, and lessons learned
- New professional and business contacts
- Opportunities for potential collaboration
- Recommended actions or ideas that could benefit your organization
When employees return from ATCE prepared to share what they have learned, the value of attendance extends far beyond the individual attendee.
See Technology and Innovation Firsthand
The ATCE Exhibition is one of the best places to explore technologies, services, and solutions shaping our industry. Companies of every size participate because face-to-face conversations remain one of the most effective ways to understand what a technology can do and how it may address a specific challenge.
I encourage attendees who are new to ATCE or new to the industry to walk through the exhibition with curiosity. Visit companies you do not recognize and ask what problems they are helping their clients solve.That simple question can lead to valuable conversations about technology, innovation, operational challenges, and future opportunities.
The exhibition is also valuable for job seekers. Rather than beginning a conversation by asking whether a company is hiring, strive to learn about the technical and business challenges the company is addressing. Understanding those needs can help you explain how your skills and experience might contribute to their success. Check out the ATCE Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for answers to questions such as “How can SPE Members get a Complimentary Pass to the ATCE Exhibition Hall?”
Gain Insights You Cannot Always Get From a Paper
Technical papers and conference proceedings provide lasting value, but some of the most important insights at ATCE come from live discussions.
The Opening General Session and Strategic Panels bring together executives and senior leaders to discuss industry priorities, challenges, opportunities, and the future of our profession. These conversations often provide perspectives that are not captured in a technical manuscript or presentation.
Throughout my career, I have found these discussions particularly valuable. I remember hearing an executive explain that one of his company's most important investments was in hiring and developing talented people. His belief that a capable workforce is essential to meeting future challenges became an important influence on my own career.
I continue to believe that building stronger capability leads to better decisions and sustainable value. ATCE provides an opportunity to learn directly from leaders whose experiences and perspectives can help us think differently about our own work and careers.
Build Relationships That Matter
Technology is important, but people remain at the center of our industry.
ATCE creates opportunities to reconnect with former colleagues, university classmates, SPE volunteers, customers, partners, vendors, and competitors. It is also a chance to meet in person with people you may have only known through virtual meetings, email, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.
For many SPE members, some of the most valuable outcomes of attending a conference are the relationships that continue long after the event is over.
ATCE also provides opportunities to connect with others who share your technical interests through technical sections, special events, university alumni activities, regional meetings, and informal conversations. Many professionals have found solutions to challenging problems simply by talking with SPE colleagues outside their own organizations.
Sometimes the answer comes from a vendor or partner. Sometimes it comes from another operator or technical professional. And sometimes it comes from a connection you never would have made without attending the conference.
Opportunities for Every Career Stage
ATCE offers something for professionals at every stage of their careers.
Young professionals can build technical knowledge, expand their professional networks, and learn from experienced practitioners. Students can explore career opportunities and connect with potential employers. Job seekers can participate in the Energy Professionals Hiring Event and develop relationships with companies and industry professionals. Registration for employers and job seekers is open.
Early-career attendees can also engage with programs such as the Future Talent Zone featuring NextGen Early Career Lecturers and the Young Member Celebration.ATCE attendees will also benefit from participating in the Startup Village.
For experienced professionals, ATCE offers opportunities to stay current, identify emerging trends, develop new business relationships, recruit talent, and contribute to the advancement of the profession.
For managers and senior leaders, the Strategic Panels provide opportunities to engage in high-level discussions about the challenges and opportunities shaping the energy industry.
Present, Volunteer, and Contribute
One of the best ways to maximize the value of ATCE is to actively participate.
For young professionals interested in presenting at a future ATCE, I encourage you to begin planning early. Submitting an abstract and being selected to present a technical paper can be an excellent way to gain support from your employer to attend the conference. More importantly, presenting your work in a technical forum builds confidence, strengthens communication skills, and advances competency within your discipline.It’s not too early to begin planning the abstract that you will submit for the 2027 ATCE in Q1 2027, as many employers require an internal review process and approval process before abstracts can be submitted.
The selection process is competitive, so presenting strong case studies and partnering with coauthors can enhance your chance of being selected. Professionals from different organizations can work together to collaborate in the process of developing an abstract, writing a manuscript, and preparing a presentation.Subject-matter experts can mentor young professionals in the workflow of contributing to technical literature.
Experienced professionals who have coauthored presentations at ATCE may also consider volunteering for the program committee. I’ve been a presenter, a session chair, and the chair of the ATCE 2024 Program Committee.Serving as a volunteer is an opportunity to contribute to the quality of the conference, expand your network, and help shape the technical conversations that advance our profession.So, if you’re planning to volunteer to serve on the ATCE 2028 Program Committee, look for the opportunity on the SPE Volunteer Portal in Q1 2027.
ATCE is also a time to celebrate excellence. Award recipients are recognized for their contributions, and ATCE provides an opportunity to acknowledge the professionals and volunteers who have made a difference. If you know a deserving colleague, consider participating in the nomination process for future SPE awards. Nominations for awards are due in 1Q of the year, so if you’re planning to nominate a candidate for the 2027 Awards process, the nomination “season” begins as soon as ATCE is over. You’ll find more details at awards nominations.
Plan to Get the Full Value From Your Experience
Attending ATCE should not be a passive experience. The more intentional you are, the more value you are likely to receive.
Before you arrive:
- Review the program and identify your priority sessions.
- Set specific learning and networking goals.
- Research exhibitors and technologies relevant to your work.
- Coordinate with colleagues who are attending.
- Schedule appointments with people you want to meet.
During the conference:
- Ask questions.
- Introduce yourself to speakers and fellow attendees.
- Exchange business cards.
- Explore the exhibition.
- Attend events outside of your immediate technical discipline.
- Take notes on ideas you can put into practice when you return.
- Be curious and start conversations.
After the conference:
- Follow up with new contacts.
- Share key lessons with your colleagues.
- Identify technologies or practices worth exploring further.
- Follow up with presenters to tell them you enjoyed their presentation.
- Apply what you learned to your current challenges.
- Consider how you can contribute to future ATCE programs.
My tagline for my SPE Presidency is “Learn. Share. Connect. Grow.” ATCE provides an opportunity to pursue all four.
We attend to learn from technical experts and industry leaders. We share knowledge and experiences that can help others succeed. We connect with colleagues from around the world. And through those experiences, we grow, as professionals, as leaders, and as an industry.
ATCE represents an investment of time, resources, and energy. Make sure you have a plan to maximize that investment.
I hope to see you in Houston. Thanks to my team at SCA for their support and encouragement during my presidency.
Learn. Share. Connect. Grow.