Plans are in effect to install an oil rig in the Arctic Ice Arena - minus the drilling.
As one of 65 exhibitors participating in the Chamber of Commerce’s Slave Lake and District 2008 Spring Trade Show on April 11 and 12, Nabors Production Services is pulling out the stops to show folks just what it is that they do.
The Leader spoke with Clayton Byrt of Nabors, and it turns out that the company is fairly representative of the nature of the show. Like many of the exhibitors, Nabors finds it important to keep the community in the loop about our most important industry, among other things.
“Our goal with the trade show is really two-fold,” said Byrt. “We’ve been in the community, under one name or another for many, many years. But it turns out that a lot of people never get to see what goes on out in the field.”
Nabors has a hand in many facets of the oil industry, but the local offices deal mostly with “work-over” rigs – like the one that will be on display. For those not in the know, like us, a work-over rig is employed right after drilling, during maintenance and for many other tasks. To get the whole picture, you’ll have to attend the show. Nabors ulterior motive is to find workers.
“We are also looking for employees. There are a lot of jobs available, and it’s important that we hire new young people, locally when we can. Its not always necessary to hire people from outside the country!”
Byrt is also proud of recent developments across the industry, while acknowledging mistakes of the past, and sees the tradeshow as a bit of a PR event also.
“I grew up in this industry, and a lot of the people I know come from an oil background.
We got a bad rap, and deservedly so, for a lot of raping and pillaging. But we have really cleaned up our act. People that aren’t in the field might not be aware of how much things have changed (for the better). And, it’s a good opportunity for us to show our support for the community,” he said.
Nabors may bring with them the grandest exhibit, but there are many notable businesses and service providers showing up for the show too.
The RCMP will be there, snooping out potential recruits and offering to fingerprint your children; it will scare them off of a life of crime!
Remote Helicopters will have a chopper on site, Slave Lake Air and Ground Ambulance are bringing an ambulance for your perusal, local companies will be showing off boats, ATV’s, cars and more. Route 88 Rods and Customs club will be showing off some cool whips and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development will even have a bear trap, though there is no word on whether or not it will be staffed.
Event Coordinator Kathie Wright managed to get some of this info over to us just before press time, as she scrambles to help get the event together.
She says the annual event showcases what is going on in our community, promotes business and helped interaction between businesses. “We get feedback from businesses that say interest is up for six months or more after the show, so it’s a great success!” says Wright.
The $2.00 admission sounds well worth the price and door prizes include a pair of reserve tickets to the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, a three night package including airfare to the Painters Lodge in Campbell River, B.C. and many others.
Sounds like it’s time to get your tradeshow on!

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