Attendance Jumps At GCA Conference

The Gas Compressor Association (GCA) said an upsurge in attendance at its yearly conference is a good omen for the compression sector’s prospects this year.

The 23rd annual meeting opened Wednesday in Galveston, Texas, and will continue through Friday.

Alan Moore, GCA administrative manager, said registrations were likely to build to more than 425 industry professionals, compared to 365 last year.  The current trade show has 62 exhibitors, a few less than in 2017.

“The big difference is that we’ve seen a surge of participation from our packager members,” Moore said. “One company brought 19 employees to the show and another 15.”  In the past few years attendance had slipped below prior levels.

Pete Kourkoubes, director of international sales for Enerflex, is the 2018 association chairman.  He is familiar with the data on industry trends that GCA complies for its members.

“This year is off to a roaring start,” Kourkoubes said.  “All of our suppliers are extremely busy, their backlogs are building and lead times (for equipment) are increasing.”