Pipeline Conference and Exhibition ptc for the first time virtual

The first ever online ptc 2020 was successfully held from 30 March to 2 April 2020.

The digital version of the renowned Pipeline Technology Conference (ptc) was put in place on short notice by the organizer EITEP Institute, after the Corona-Pandemic led to a global shutdown.

Despite the short preparation time, the ptc-team managed to provide an alternative version, which attracted more than 550 participants and 80 exhibitors, while also enabling more than 100 technical presentations to be shared with the global pipeline community.

The organizer announced the creation of upcoming online events after the remarkable success of this unique pilot project.

“We were convinced that our innovative concept would be well received by the global pipeline community, but the success surprised even us. This shows that crisis situations not only present challenges, but also lead to meaningful innovations. We will build on this success and work out new offers that take up the advantages of digital services, such as online ptc 2020”, says Dr. Klaus Ritter, President of the organizing EITEP Institute.

The three-day-event took place at the same time as the original Pipeline Technology Conference was planned, therefore allowing many of the already registered participants, sponsors and exhibitors to shift smoothly to the digital edition. The core feature of the online ptc 2020 were the technical presentations, that were accessible as full papers or video files as well as the opportunity to connect and chat with other participants and exhibitors. The central activity feed allowed for the real-time posting of questions or information, contribution to an overall success of the digital event.

“We know of course that this kind of online event cannot replace the face-to-face contacts of a real conference with exhibition in Berlin, but we are very grateful that the whole ptc community made it possible to keep the spirit of the Pipeline Technology Conference alive by attending an intense exchange of experience between the participants and by gathering a global audience from all over the world, once again solidifying ptc’s standing as the most international pipeline event worldwide”, expresses Dennis Fandrich, Chairman of the ptc and Director Conferences at EITEP Institute, his gratitude to the many participants.

During the first day of online ptc video presentations were available to the audience along with the full papers of all presenters, totaling in more than 100 topics that were presented and discussed during the event. The second day was dedicated to networking, enabling all participants to connect with each other and have their private chat conversations with their business partners and potential clients. The last day was under the motto Throwback Thursday. Highlight video presentations from previous ptc-events were available that day and up for discussion.

“Online ptc 2020 was an overall success, but the upcoming Pipeline Technology Conference 2021 of course will return to the established and accepted physical format our participants and exhibitors appreciate the most. The opportunity to engage in intense exchanges of experiences with pipeliners, face-to-face, with people from all over the world, is what defines our ptc and what makes it one of the world’s leading pipeline events”, says Dr. Klaus Ritter.