The International Liquid Terminals Association (ILTA) held its 35th Annual International Operating Conference and Trade Show on June 1-3, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. For the first time since 2004, the entire event was held under one roof. Approximately 4,500 people attended the multi-day event, which included a golf tournament, a day-and-a-half conference, two evening receptions, five training courses, and a day-and-a-half trade show.
“Since its inception in 1981, the ILTA Conference and Trade Show has continuously improved year after year,” said ILTA Board Chairman Eric Thomas, Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC. “It has earned an undisputed reputation as the premier conference and trade show for terminal industry professionals.”
Approximately 750 people attended the conference. The opening session featured Greg Haas, Director of Integrated Oil and Gas Research for Stratas Advisors, an energy sector consulting and advisory firm. He spoke about how recent shale oil developments have rapidly shifted the U.S. from a net importer to a net exporter of petroleum products and what it means for the liquid terminal industry. During the conference, industry experts delivered 31 presentations, including 10 in Spanish, that focused on a variety of operational and business topics, along with environmental, health, safety and security issues. The conference concluded with the keynote luncheon. Mike Eruzione, Captain of the 1980 U.S, Olympic Hockey Team, gave an inspirational presentation on how commitment to the team in any endeavor is key to achieving victory.
A total of 16 terminal companies were recognized during ILTA’s annual safety awards breakfast. Two companies demonstrating exemplary safety cultures were awarded the 2015 Platinum Safety Award. Marathon Petroleum Company received the large terminal company award, and U.S. Venture, Inc. received the small terminal company award. The Safety Excellence Award was presented to 14 terminal companies that achieved a safety record of less than one injury per 100 workers in 2014. The companies are: Arc Terminals Holdings, LLC; Benchmark River and Rail Terminals, LLC; Demaco Terminal Operations, Corp.; Flint Hills Resources, LP; Intercontinental Terminals Company LLC; Motiva Enterprises, LLC; NuStar Energy, L.P.; Odfjell Terminals (Houston) LP; Oiltanking North America; Petro-Diamond Terminal Company; Phillips 66 Company; South Florida Materials/Vecenergy; Sunoco Logistics Partners, L.P.; and Tesoro Logistics, L.P.
The 36th Annual International Operating Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for May 23-25, 2016, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX.
About ILTA – Founded in 1974, the International Liquid Terminals Association represents 83 companies that operate liquid terminal facilities in all 50 states and in 39 countries. ILTA members operate 962 facilities consisting of 13,354 tanks, with a global storage capacity of approximately 887.2 million barrels. Products handled by ILTA members include crude oil, petroleum products and a wide variety of chemicals, as well as ethanol, biodiesel, vegetable oils, molasses and fertilizers. ILTA’s membership also includes approximately 400 companies that supply products and services to the terminal industry.
