LAGCOE 2019 will be moving from Lafayette

The Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition will move its annual event to New Orleans next year after 65 years in Lafayette.
Officials cited the potential for growth and increased participation for moving LAGCOE 2019 to the Ernest Morial Convention Center next October, rather than holding it in the Cajundome. The biennial oil industry expo has been a mainstay in Lafayette, dating back to 1953 when it was held in a parking lot of the Petroleum Club.
The expo is a three-day gathering that provides a platform for innovators in the oil and gas industry to showcase technology, equipment and services to local businesses. At its peak, it featured representatives from 49 states, 40 countries and 17,000 attendees.
“The decision to host LAGCOE 2019 in New Orleans is rooted in our mission to cultivate economic growth in the energy industry by facilitating domestic and global business development,” LAGCOE board Chairman Greg Stutes said in a statement. “A significantly larger venue will accommodate more exhibitors and an even larger attendee base. This promotes growth, diversity, and develops even more connections among Louisiana’s energy industry.”
LAGCOE officials said they remain committed to Lafayette and will retain its offices and staff in the city. It will continue to develop innovative programs for its members and offer scholarships to high school students.
Cajundome diretor Greg Davis said he heard the organization was considering the move but “didn’t know it had gotten to this point until earlier today.”
“We have been very fortunate to have had LAGCOE for 20-plus years at the Cajundome,” Davis said. “We’ve been very, very appreciative of the partnership we’ve had with LAGCOE. It was a great impact on the Cajundome and the greater community of Lafayette. It will create a void, but we will have to revisit our financials and have other businesses replace it.”
The Lafayette community, LAGCOE officials said, embraced the event as leaders volunteered time and talent to build it into the second-largest oil and gas tradeshow in the country. It later moved to Blackham Coliseum, the Cajundome and later the Cajundome and Convention Center.
“This achievement would have not have been possible without significant community support,” the statement read.
“I wish them all the luck in the world and will do our best to hold their dates in 2021,” said Pam Deville, assistant director for the Cajundome. “I still believe, despite what they’re saying, Lafayette is a major player in this industry.”