My birthday is always followed by my favorite oil and gas event of the year: the Offshore Technology Conference! I'm so excited to be able to be part of it again this year (my eighth OTC). Times have changed since the first OTC 42 years ago. Attendance is higher, exhibitions are bigger, the technology is faster, and the water depth reached is deeper. However, after last year's Macondo tragedy, I don't think any OTC will be more different than this one. With a brand new focus on safety, I can guarantee there will be a plethora of new equipment and services to see. Here's a list and descriptions of OTC's 2011 Spotlight Award Winners, which feature technologies that are less than two years old. This should give you an idea of what kind of new technology will be exhibited at this year's conference. According to the website, more than 2,500 companies are exhibiting this year at Reliant Center, Reliant Arena, and newly expanded outdoor area, the OTC Parkway. See a list of exhibitors and use the new OTC Pre-Conference planner to build your own personal plan. I hope to see all of you there! Visit the Hart Energy booth at #4441.