Two former U.S. senators are among the group of presenters who will speak about the value and importance of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana and the nation at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, March 7-9 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans.
Two former U.S. senators are among the group of presenters who will speak about the value and importance of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana and the nation at the annual meeting of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, March 7-9 at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans.
"We have a very exciting agenda, with speakers addressing different issues related to the oil and gas industry, its importance to the state and the challenges facing the industry," says Chris John, president of the Baton-Rouge-based trade association representing all aspects of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico.
Speaking at the March 8 morning session will be former Sens. John Breaux of Louisiana and Trent Lott of Mississippi. Both of the speakers were in the U.S. Senate when John was a congressman from Louisiana's 7th Congressional District.
"We expect Sens. Breaux and Lott to discuss the changing attitudes in Washington and the increased partisan attitudes that are developing on a growing number of issues," John says. He stresses that both Breaux and Lott, while members of different parties, were able to work together and with others on finding workable solutions for many complex issues.
Also, Louisiana native Clarence P. Cazalot, the president and CEO of Marathon Oil Corp., will speak at the March 8 morning session. "Mr. Cazalot is a native of New Orleans and graduate of LSU and has enjoyed a life-long career in the oil and gas industry," says John, also noting that Marathon is in the process of completing a major expansion at its Garyville refinery.
The March 8 banquet speaker is political strategist James Carville. Carville is a regular guest on CNN and teaches political science at Tulane. He and his wife, Mary Matalin, a Republican political consultant, live in New Orleans.
The annual meeting will conclude March 9 with a Legislative Roundtable Discussion. "We have confirmation from several Louisiana legislators who will be taking part in the discussion, with the main topic to be oil and gas," John adds. The meeting will also feature two receptions, allowing time for people to visit with each other.
The meeting is open to the public; for info on registration and fees, visit Louisiana Mid-Continent's Web site.