Fuel blends, ethanol-versus-MTBE, supplier consolidation, eCommerce – petroleum marketers certainly have had a lot on their plates during 2001, particularly West Coast marketers, where the battle over future gasoline blends is waging while the state recovers from its own form of electric shock.
 
For these reasons, this year’s Pacific Oil Conference – aptly titled "Drivers of Our Industry" – will feature several sessions on these and other subjects that reflect a year full of changes, new challenges and potential opportunities for petroleum marketers not only in the West, but nationwide.
 
The Pacific Oil Conference is already the oldest continuing oil-marketing conference in the western U.S. This year’s event, to be held September 17-21 at its usual location, the Reno Hilton, will feature a full week of timely educational information, networking opportunities – and new products and services at POC’s 42^nd Annual Tradeshow.
 
Please Shoot Chicken Little!
On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the educational sessions kick off with Caliber Consulting’s Ken Gunn, who provides his unique, on-target insights into the development of eBusiness and eCommerce in the petroleum marketing industry. In his presentation, titled, "Please! Shoot Chicken Little & Get The Facts," Gunn uses his entertaining, educational style, to compare and contrasts the industry’s "sprint" toward eBusiness and eCommerce implementation one year ago to the "marathon" pace of today. Gunn’s guests will include representatives of leading industry eCommerce providers, including FuelQuest, Inc., ZyQuest, DM2, DTNnergy and Refined Solutions.
 
What to Expect From Chevron With the official Grand Opening of the Pacific Oil Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 19, attendees will have a chance to hear first-hand what much of the industry has been waiting to find out: What is to be expected from the soon-to-be merged ChevronTexaco? This year’s POC Keynote Speaker, Dave Reeves should have an idea. As vice president of marketing for Chevron Products Co., Reeves will assume the position of President, North American Products, for ChevronTexaco following the completion of the merger. If anyone can provide insight into changes the merger will bring about, it’s Reeves.
 
Test-Tube Fuels California and the surrounding states that make up Petroleum Area Defense District V (PADD 5) has become known as the "test tube" for fuels specifications, distribution, refining and marketing issues. Certainly, this fact has gained national attention in recent months, as the state seeks to opt out of the federally mandated oxygenate requirements. In a session titled "Inside the Fuels Test Tube," Dan Gilligan, president of the Petroleum Marketers Association of America (PMAA), will moderate a discussion featuring a panel of experts from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), Tosco Corp., the California Energy Commission, Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, Tesoro Petroleum Corp., and the American Coalition for Ethanol.
 
How to Survive in Seas of Change Thursday’s featured speaker is strategic specialist and futures thinker Edie Weiner, president of Weiner, Edrich, Brown, Inc.. For 30 years, Weiner has been providing issues analysis and strategic planning for Fortune 500 companies. Weiner is considered one of the most influential practitioners of social, technological, political and economic intelligence-gathering, and has worked with the National Association of Convenience Stores in developing strategic plans and overall direction.
 
Hypermarkets, Refining, Oilheat and More On Thursday, Sept. 20, a series of seminars will cover a range of topics, from the hot-button of how to compete with the so-called "big-box" hypermarkets, to an overview on refining, how the National Oilheat Alliance (NORA) plans to revitalize the home-heating industry, and c-store management/customer relations with Cher Terry.
 
It ‘Aint Over Till It’s Over… On Friday, Sept. 21, following the show’s official close, three post-conference seminars offer additional opportunities for education and business development. Industry-renowned financial specialist Betsi Lueth will hold a special seminar on improving efficiencies, focusing on dispatch and delivery; the Oil Price Information Service will run a session on Fuel Supplies and Hedging; and Professional Resource Emergency Service (PERS) will conduct a Hazmat Employee Training session.

For further information or to register for the Pacific Oil Conferencem visit http://www.petroshow.com