The Bakken Oil Worker’s and Oil Service Expo may just be one of the biggest happenings of the summer in North Dakota. Just three weeks after the North Dakota State Fair, the Expo, nicknamed the “Bakken Oil Expo” will debut on August 20 – 22 at that North Dakota State Fair Center in Minot, ND. The event features networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, privately hosted meals, a reception, job opportunities, and the ability to set up one-on-one appointments in advance with current and prospective business clients and employers. Along with these opportunities, the show has a huge indoor and outdoor exhibit show with companies and organizations coming from 36 states and Canada. Taking up over 400 booth spaces, this is this one of the largest oil industry event in the northern U.S.
Seminars will run concurrently in the mornings and afternoons all three days offering attendees the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in training sessions and hands on classes. Oil producers and other regional employers can enhance their employees’ skills and knowledge by purchasing tickets for their employees. Recent newcomers, both businesses and individuals, will also benefit from the wide range of seminars. Classes range from hands on winter defensive driving classes by the Center for Transportation and Safety, to talks on the economic boom and the resulting challenges and opportunities by the Williston and Minot Economic Development Groups, to seminars on finding the best employees and the best jobs in the industry by RTS Corporation, and a variety talks by the North Dakota State Extension Services on living, surviving, and excelling in the North Dakota boom towns. For a complete list of seminars and descriptions, visit http://www.usasymposium.com/bakken/seminars.htm.
A job board featuring oil sector jobs in the Bakken region is available to anyone who visits the Expo website at http://bakkenoilworkers.jobamatic.com/a/jobs/find-jobs. The site allows you to search by job title, company, location and job type (full time, permanent, etc.) There is no cost to search the site or apply for jobs. Employers can post jobs for a nominal fee. At the expo, companies that are hiring will be easily identifiable and you will have the opportunity to talk with employers real-time about job opportunities. Additionally, anyone who registers for the event in advance has the opportunity to set up one-on-one appointments with others attending the event. This tool which can be accessed with the purchase of a $5 expo pass, creates additional opportunities for business to business sales and marketing.
Along with the educational, sales, job, and marketing opportunities at this event, the Expo has been structured to give back directly to the community. Three local charities will be the recipients of 50% of the proceeds from the sale of Expo passes. Attendees who purchase the $5 tickets in advance will have the opportunity to choose which charity they would like to direct their donation to. Featured charities at the 2013 event include the Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch (www.dakotaranch.org), Hope Village (www.hopevillagend.org), and The Williston Salvation Army (www.salvationarmynorth.org/community/williston/).
The event has garnered a lot of momentum and support both in the region and nationally. Expo sponsors include The Associated Press, Bakken Breakout, Bakken Cable Connection, Bakken Field Guide, The Bakken Magazine, Bakken Oil Business Journal, The Bakken Post, BakkenShale.com, The Bella Dangelo Show, The Bismarck Tribune, BW Insurance Agency, Clover Global Solutions, Del Communications, The Drill, ERM Weekly Update, Gravel Products, Inc., Hyatt House Minot, KX News, Minot Area Development Corp., Montana Energy Review, North Dakota State Fair, The Oil Field Efficiency Newsletter, Oiltizer, PennEnergy, Perry Brothers Trucking, Petroleum News Bakken, ShaleMarkets.com, Visit Minot, and World Oils.
For more information on the event, or to register, visit www.usasymposium.com/bakken.
