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Main logoAn ethane cracker plant, which can “crack” Utica natural gas into ethylene (one of the building blocks of plastics and chemicals) is anticipated in Ohio. This is an important step for the Utica shale play and “downstream” manufacturers who rely on these products. The Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, The Repository, and ShaleDirectories.com brought the first conversation about these topics to the Utica and Northeast Ohio in 2013 at its initial Utica Summit, and the same partnership is advancing the conversation at Utica Summit II. This event is happening Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at The University Center, Kent State University at Stark (6000 Frank Ave. NW, North Canton, OH 44720). Utica Summit II will be a forum for high-level conversation about what is possible, now and in the future, all because of the technology that permits horizontal drilling of the shale plays in the United States. The event will explore the downstream benefits of the Utica Shale energy boom:
  • What will natural gas and the natural gas liquids mean for sustainable manufacturing in Ohio, the Northeast and the United States as a whole?
  • What is the latest on the proposed ethane cracker in Ohio and whether it will bring new plastics manufacturers to its doorstep?
  • If you want to ship coast to coast by natural gas-fueled trucks, how soon can you rely on a network of fueling stations?
  • From the perspective of federal government policy, what could happen to help or harm the development of America’s rich shale?
View the tentative agenda here. “The downstream benefits of Utica natural gas are exciting for this region because it means we can build and grow sustainable business with Utica energy,” said Dennis P. Saunier, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce president and CEO. The event is intended to bring people together to talk about what can be done to fuel transportation across the United States with Utica energy, to build sustainable businesses powered by Utica energy, and to grow businesses that use Utica energy as its raw product to create industrial and consumer goods. “We expect to host over 200 people from the oil and gas industry, as well as government and universities,” added Repository Publisher Jim Porter. “We have a full lineup of nationally and internationally known speakers from companies that are doing extraordinary work in this industry.” Who Should Attend?
  • Based on past events we anticipate attendees from mid-market companies, government entities and educational institutions.
  • Companies working directly and indirectly in the oil and gas industry who are seeking to learn about the future developments in the Utica Shale.
  • CEOs and C-Level managers across many industries looking for strategic growth opportunities as the result of lower energy and feedstock costs.
  • Controllers, CFOs and finance directors searching for ways to effectively reduce costs through the use of LNG/CNG driven vehicles.
Utica Summit II Speakers: Our speakers will lead us in discussions regarding what the Utica Shale means to manufacturing, transportation, job creation and more: Rayola Dougher, Senior Economic Advisor, American Petroleum Institute Tom Gellrich, Founder, TopLine Analytics of Philadelphia, and an expert on the ethane market Christopher Guith, Senior Vice President for Policy, US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for 21st Century Energy Dr. Iryna Lendel, Assistant Director of the Center for Economic Development at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University, the academic leader in Utica economic research Anthony J. Palmer, Vice President, IHS Chemical Consulting Bill Renz, General Manager for GAIN® Clean Fuel, which is helping to build the CNG fueling network across the nation Michael Taylor, Senior Director for International Affairs and Trade at SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association Register now at www.uticasummit.com or by calling Monique Thompson at (330) 458-2070. Tickets are $250 per person, or $1,500 for a table of six. Questions or inquiries can be directed to David Kaminski, director of energy and public affairs for the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce at (330) 458-2059.