If you’ve never attended the AAPG Annual Convention & Exhibition (ACE) before, you might wonder what it’s like. After reading the promotional literature and website, you’ll probably have a good idea about the cutting-edge science and career enhancing benefits ACE offers. But what you won’t capture here is the energy that develops onsite. From the technical presentations to the exhibition hall — and especially anywhere there’s food — there’s a buzz of excitement as geoscientists gather, exchange ideas and discuss what they’re learning.

The opportunity to network with people in your field is a chance to renew your enthusiasm for your life’s work and gain a valuable perspective on the industry. Take a look at these highlights from ACE 2011 in Houston, then make plans to join us in Long Beach this April. There you’ll get the opportunity to experience the excitement firsthand.

p.s. Time is running out to submit an abstract for AAPG 2012 ICE in Singapore. Don’t delay — submit yours online by 19 January. Also, I mentioned in my last post thatI would share abstract submittal tips that people sent to me. That offer is still good, so if you have something to share send it my way.</p>