Support for U.S.-Saudi CEO Summit
Several Saudi Arabian ministries and top government representatives received support from Public Affairs during the U.S.-Saudi CEO Summit on April 19 in Washington, D.C. About 50 CEOs and high-level executives from various American industries participated in this event, which the local Chamber of Commerce organized. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivered the opening remarks at the CEO Summit between the United States and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Commerce & Investment Minister, His Excellency Dr. Majed Qasabi, also spoke about the benefit of U.S. companies improving investment and entrepreneurship opportunities in Saudi Arabia. In addition to discussing economic growth, H.E. Dr. Qasabi expounded on job creation and social development initiatives adopted by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, while also detailing the implementation of Vision 2030.
Public Affairs also supported the Saudi-U.S. CEO Summit by confirming contact information and requesting replies from Summit invitees. It coordinated for a group of 16 Aramco annuitants to travel to Saudi Arabia for the event. This included overseeing all aspects of travel, communications, flight itineraries, and expedited visa applications. Besides, the department handled all visas for CEOs and their teams traveling to Riyadh for the Summit. The department also compiled and edited 38 videotaped interviews, as well as b-roll footage, at nine locations in the U.S., including interviews and background footage covering Aramco's expanding interests in Motiva. During the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to Saudi Arabia, Public Affairs was responsible for monitoring media coverage of the summit. The project, scheduled for May 19-22 with Fleishman-Hillard, will provide daily reports for our review, approval, and distribution to Aramco management.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Annual Convention and Exhibition (ACE)
Public Affairs' input in Saudi Aramco's participation in American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG)'s 100th Anniversary edition of the Annual Convention and Exhibition (ACE), April 2-5 in Houston, TX was also evident. Support was provided for trade show communications and the execution of a communications plan. In addition, PA also coordinated an exhibition plan, staff training, photography, social media announcements, and Web postings. It also assisted with an associated event with Aramco geoscientists visiting the University of Texas Quantitative Clastics Laboratory in Houston, TX and developed news articles for Saudi Aramco and ASC. Additional support was given for the preparation of 17 technical and poster presentations, a trade show exhibit, nine in-booth presentations, recruiting interviews, event sponsorship, and attendance at AAPG's centennial gala. Saudi Aramco Geologist, Anwar Al-Beaiji, received a Distinguished Service Award during the convention.
May 2017 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC)
Public Affairs supported Aramco's participation in OTC, May 1-4. In addition to on-site support, Public Affairs handled booth set up, developed comprehensive media plans for print and social platforms, and placed articles in the Houston Chronicle, as well as the Daily Trade Journal. Public Affairs also developed a four-minute virtual reality experience about Manifa, demonstrating Saudi Aramco's upstream excellence and environmental stewardship.
U.S.- Saudi Business Council Supplier Forum
Public Affairs, in conjunction with OTC, supported a U.S.-Saudi Business Council Supplier Forum on May 3 in Houston, TX. Public Affairs assisted ASC President & CEO Basil Abul-Hamayel in updating a keynote address that was given at the forum, which drew close to 240 participants. In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) representatives were also present and addressed the business opportunities currently available in Saudi Arabia. Attendees were also advised that localization is a prerequisite for doing business in Saudi Arabia and the supplier's IKTVA score will be used as a weight in bid awards. Other speakers at the Forum included the U.S. General Consul to Dhahran, Mike Hankey, and Khalid Abdulkarim, President & CEO of Abdulkarim Holding.
Additional support was given in the form of on-site staff who covered the forum in the Arabian Sun and other company publications. Public Affairs also managed photography and videography while also overseeing related postings on ASC Twitter and Facebook accounts. Presentations for forum presenters were also updated and reviewed based on the earlier Washington, D.C. forum.
