Letter from the chairman -
BRUCE N. SMITH

Denbury Resources

Dear Colleague, For many years now I have had both the honor and privilege of working with the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) as a member, a board director, and in 2004 as Chairman of the Gulf Coast Prospect Expo (GCPE). When the call went out to select the 2009 Chairman, everyone else must have been tied up and the staff at LOGA must have developed a memory loss of my previous turn as Chairman, but however it came about, once again I have the privilege of being this year’s 2009 Chairman.

At my age, reflection is not always a good thing. In looking back on 2004’s GCPE I seem to remember an up cycle event in a usually cyclical industry, with stable oil and gas prices, lots of prospects, good attendance and, as always, a great Southern Louisiana experience. After the collapse of the US markets in 2008, I am not sure what our industry will look like in October of 2009.

One thing I do know, however, is that the kickoff conference call for this year’s GCPE told me two things: (1) the members of the Board of LOGA are an insightful, creative and visionary group and, (2) this year’s concept for GCPE comes with perfect timing and a new and creative direction. read more