The industry leading Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo (GECSCE) launched the 2025 edition on Monday, September 2, under the theme ‘Connecting the Dots, Integrating the Future’. The media launch was attended by energy industry stakeholders as well as business representatives from other sectors in Guyana. This next edition is scheduled to take place from February 18 to 21, 2025, at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel.
The conference continues to see growth in attendance from region and international participants, as well as in sponsorship, exhibitors and speakers. In the upcoming edition of the conference, the Secretariat will be rolling out new features and new technology, including the ‘Energy Run/Walk’, an Essay competition that will be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, and a ‘Taste of Guyana’ event, in collaboration with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism.
Ms. Kiana Wilburg, CEO of the GECSCE, stated, “The intention is to present Guyana not just as an oil and gas proposition but as a growth hub for multiple industries.”
Expanding on the planned innovations, Eldon Marks, CEO of V75 Inc., the technology partner of GECSCE, unveiled the initial phase of a three-part rollout of online conference tools called the Guyana Energy Suite. This suite includes a revamped conference website, two comprehensive mobile apps, and a conference portal managed securely from a dedicated back-end office system.
Additionally, attendees can anticipate discussions on various topics, including a just energy transition, financing sustainable development initiatives, developing a future- ready workforce, and advancing women in the oil and gas sector.
ExxonMobil has returned as a title sponsor for the GECSCE for the fourth consecutive year. Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana, remarked, “As a sponsor, what we’re very excited about is that each year, this conference continues to build on the prior years, it becomes larger, it becomes more effective at doing what we’re looking forward to do. It also comes every year with a fresh look at what is the focus for the year.”
He added, “It’s for us a great platform to bring the business sector, the private sector, both local and international together with the policymakers, with academics to have a really strong conversation about the issues of the day and in particular on energy.”
Though the conference initially focused on oil and gas, it has evolved to address broader supply chain issues. Mr. Peter Ramsaroop, Head of Go-Invest, remarked: “Given this was initially an oil and gas conference, a lot of focus was on the oil and gas sector. We saw GDP growth reach 62% in one year and 49% in the first quarter. However, what is most fascinating is that the non-oil industry grew by 11% last year, and over 12% in the first quarter, as recently announced by the President. This growth underscores why the Conference has now included a supply chain component.”
In a keynote address, the Hon. Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources, discussed the conference’s evolving focus, underscoring its broader vision. He stated, “We have a conference that will highlight opportunities across all sectors. Guyana is becoming a role model among new oil-producing countries around the world because we have not remained focused on one single sector only. Instead, we have continued to grow, incentivize, and expand across all sectors. Today, when we launch our Energy Conference, it is not only an energy conference but a supply chain expo as well. All of these sectors are critical in building out the oil and gas sector in Guyana.”
Conference registration will be opened shortly and it is anticipated to attract over 700 delegates, feature 180 plus booths and host 70 plus distinguished speakers. Prior to Monday’s launch, the conference had already onboarded 82 companies and sold more than 100 booths.
Persons/companies interested in securing their spot for region’s largest energy conference can contact the Secretariat’s Director of Media and Operations, Ms Fareeza Haniff at [email protected] and on telephone number 592-640-5518.