The LAGCOE trade show, held every other year, draws thousands of people to Lafayette from across the United States and other oil- and gas-producing nations.

This year, industry representatives from Russia, Mexico, West Africa and Brazil are expected to attend Oct. 25-27, LAGCOE Chairman-Elect Kirby Arceneaux said.

"LAGCOE's an event that is used to promote our industry. It provides an opportunity for many service companies to promote their business," Arceneaux said. "And it gives an opportunity to the clients of those service companies to see their technologies."

It's not by chance that the idea for LAGCOE was conceived in the 1950s with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and an industry representative as a way to celebrate the petroleum industry and recognize its contributions to the Gulf Coast.
Acadiana plays an important role in the petroleum industry and the petroleum industry is important to Acadiana, as well.

"Energy is the leading economic driver in Acadiana, employing nearly 20 percent of the workforce and generating 33 percent of the Lafayette MSA's (Metropolitan Statistical Area's) GDP," said Gregg Gothreaux, president and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority. "This makes Lafayette the logical home for one of the nation's largest energy industry shows."

LEDA uses LAGCOE to reinforce relationships with existing companies and to meet with businesses not currently in the region that may complement the region's existing business base, he said.

The first LAGCOE drew 130 exhibitors to Blackham Coliseum. The event moved to the Cajundome in 1995. Today, it is one of the biggest oil and gas industry conferences in the United States. This year's event is expected to include more than 300 exhibitors and could draw as many as 16,000 people to Lafayette.