The countdown clock on the oilshow.ca website shows 270 days to go from Sept. 7 until the gates open at the 2019 Saskatchewan Oil & Gas show, but things are picking up in earnest for show organizers and the companies who will exhibit.
The event, also sometimes referred to as the Weyburn Oil Show, is June 5-6, 2019.
Booth registration is now open. Returning vendors have until Sept. 30 to reclaim their booth position. After that, placement will be open.
“We’ve got registrations coming in,” said show organizer Tanya Hulbert on Sept. 4.
Interest has picked up this time around. “We’ve had lots of inquiries, lots of interest. It looks like things are picking up,” she said.
“We’ve had lots of new companies that have started up,” she said. They are showing the most interest, while the level of interest from returning companies seems to be about the same.
This early in the game, no one has been confirmed with regards to speakers.
On Oct. 1, the oil show committee will begin its regular meetings. Del Mondor, owner of Aldon Oils, will again be chair.
“We’ve spent a lot of time this summer updating our website,” she said. It includes exhibitor registration and pricing information.
The nomination forms have been updated for the Southeast Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year and Southeast Sask. Legends. Hulbert said they are looking at an entire new format for that awards ceremony. Instead of speeches profiling the recipients, the plan is to now produce videos which will highlight the operations of those honoured. Preston Roy, who is on the board, will be working on those videos. She said the videos will be able to provide a more in-depth background of the honourees.
But as a result, Hulbert stressed the importance of getting nominations in early, so that this work can be done.
These changes are being made to the local awards. The Saskatchewan Oil Patch Hall of Fame will still present its Saskatchewan Oilman of the Year and Hall of Fame inductions.
