AAPG Learn! Blog

The $10 Million Networking Break

Geosciences Technology Workshops and our new “Forum of Experts” events are designed to bring together geology, geophysics, engineering, petrophysics, and geochemistry, and to spur dynamic, energized discussions of possible applications of new techniques, technologies, and data. The presentations are clustered into affinity groups, but the disciplines are juxtaposed to heighten free associations and connections, and to encourage creative thinking.

It’s not uncommon to see people taking notes during a presentation, or leaning forward in their seats, as something is said that triggers thoughts, inspirations, questions. Then, during the coffee breaks, lunch, and receptions, you can see attendees huddling eagerly, talking animatedly –

You can almost see the flashes of light and electricity as thoughts become manifest, and new ways of doing things are envisioned, or new possible approaches to sweet spot detection. The atmosphere is charged, and you can literally feel it as, in some cases, an entirely new conceptual framework for a petroleum system comes into shape.

These are dramatic days for all of us — we may not see it at the time, but in retrospect, we’ll come to realize just how much was gained during a coffee break, networking reception, or a simple moment of thought and imagination.

I like to think of it as the “$10 million networking break” but it could just as easily have been the “$10 Billion Break.” We can smile, but in our heart of hearts, we know it’s true. All we have to do is to listen to testimonals at HGS’s Legends night, or at the AAPG-DPA Playmaker Forum.

It’s all about being in a context of creativity, and AAPG strives to create just those occasions, and we’re trying to make them local, affordable, and we seek to partner with divisions, sections, affiliated & sister societies. It’s about energetic minds coming together, and we want to give all members those golden opportunities.

Here is a list of upcoming GTWs and Forum of Experts events:

Solving Water Problems GTW, February 26-27, Fort Worth

Hydrocarbon Exploration in Fold and Thrust Belts, March 3-5, Lima, Peru

Eagle Ford and Adjacent Formations GTW, March 18-20, San Antonio

Woodford Shale Forum, April 11, Oklahoma City

And, if you need ‘on demand’ grounding in fundamentals, try an archived e-symposium!