WRAP UP ...

Optimism, Numbers Dominate in Denver

Preliminary attendance figures for last month's AAPG annual meeting in Denver are confirming what those who crowded into and through the Denver Convention Center may have already suspected: The meeting was a big draw.

Final attendance totals came to 7,122 for the four-day event.

That number would make the meeting the ninth largest in AAPG history, and the largest annual meeting since the 1988 convention in Houston, which attracted 7,645 participants. The figure also would mark only the second time since 1988 that the 7,000 attendance mark was surpassed (1997 Dallas -- 7,073).

The meeting also was marked by an overall feeling of optimism -- brought on, in large measure, by the industry's current upswing -- and technical session rooms that were often jammed past capacity by those eager to hear talks.

A complete report on the Denver meeting will be built here as well as featured in the August EXPLORER. Stories will include:

• Marlan Downey's presidential address before a standing room only crowd at the opening session.
• Luncheon speakers and special forums.
• Various technical sessions and talks, including a Michel T. Halbouty presentation that brought a standing ovation.