All of the space on the prestigious 115m² ‘Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft – East of England’ stand which will be showcased at the oil and gas event Offshore Europe in Aberdeen in September has been taken within just weeks of it being launched.

The Great Yarmouth Marketing Initiative (GYMI), Waveney District Council and EEEGR (East of England Energy Group), the partnership behind the stand report an unprecedented interest.

Tony Wright MP for Great Yarmouth said: “Great Yarmouth has been represented at this event for decades and I’m delighted that our presence is going from strength to strength. It is an excellent opportunity for businesses”.

Twenty-two companies from Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and the East of England have signed up to present their expertise at what is widely known as the largest and most prestigious oil and gas exhibition outside North America attracting more than 30,000 delegates biennially.

Stephanie Pimlott, Project Manager for the stand explains the high interest: “The oil and gas sector is very buoyant and companies in Great Yarmouth are reporting they are very busy as a consequence. We have been delighted by the range of companies interested showing the strength and diversity of the supply chain we have in the sub-region and East of England.”

Applied Acoustic Engineering in Great Yarmouth proved the value of exhibiting, by securing a £25,000 contract in Turkey as a result of exhibiting on the stand in 2005. “It wasn’t until the April after the show that I heard from Detek Offshore Technology in Istanbul” explained Sales Manager Gavin Willoughby. “In July we provided them with our Easytrak Portable USBL Tracking System and technician to train their staff”.

This year’s event is a first for Great Yarmouth-based Beckett Logistics Management (BLM) who will be actively marketing alternative logistics solutions for the Southern North Sea support sector. Managing Director David Beckett explained why they chose to exhibit on the regional stand: “It has been the most cost effective way of securing not only a prime position at the event, but within a stand that will effectively publicise our region’s skills and expertise within the industry.”

eProduction Solutions (eP), also Great Yarmouth based have taken a prime position on the stand this year topromotetheirhydraulic and electrically operated Subsea and Surfacecontrol systems,The company recognises the changing philosophy in oil and gas production towards subsea control and electronic automation and will be using thisexhibition todisplay their subsea control module and promotethe newRedeye 2G water cut meter.

Lowestoft-based Pilot Drilling Controlwhich designs and manufactures downhole tools for the oil and gas industry were exhibitors at Offshore Europe in 2005 and are keen to repeat the positive experience this year. Managing Director George Swietlik said: “The joint stand was an excellent way to present to a global industry and provided an ideal forum to meet people and develop new business.” We will be promoting our new Top Drive Circulation Tool at this year’s event.”

Anzett, with an office in Lowestoft, designs and manufactures hydraulic control, chemical injection and fire fighting systems to theinternational oil and gas industryhad significant interestin their products as a result of exhibiting on the stand at Offshore Europe in 2005. International Business Development Manager Andy Bird said: “Our experience on the stand far exceeded our expectations. The high level of interest we had for our products fuelled our expansion plans and we have just completeda significant increase toour production facilities and recruited several new personnel as a result.”

Bob Blizzard, MP for Waveney endorsed the collaborative approach which has been taken: “I’m delighted by the engagement between Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and the East of England in this initiative which will truly demonstrate the strength, breadth and vitality of our supply chain to a global audience.”

For further information contact GYMI Co-ordinator Stephanie Pimlott on 01493 846108, or email: gymi@gymi.co.uk, website: www.gymi.co.uk