2007 ISNetworld Annual Users Group Conference Summary
March 15 - 16, 2007

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The ISN Team would like to thank the approximately 500 attendees from nearly 375 companies for their attendance at the ISNetworld Annual Users Group Conference held in Dallas, TX on March 15 & 16, 2007. We were very pleased to see a mix of both new and returning ISNetworld members. The meeting was a great success and we look forward to seeing even more of you next year.

ISN Software President Joe Eastin kicked off the meeting by welcoming the conference attendees and CEO and Chairman Bill Addy spoke about the battle of Gettysburg and the importance of quality information in decision making.

Joe Reina, Deputy Regional Administrator for OSHA, recapped many of the successes OSHA has experienced since its inception 35 years ago. He also spoke about the continued growth of the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and discussed upcoming challenges in employee safety, specifically with respect to Spanish speaking workers and specific areas of focus for the oil and gas industry.

Bill Walker, IV, Kinder Morgan’s Corporate Safety Director, discussed his company’s Contractor Safety Program objectives and Safety Management Plan. Mr. Walker also reviewed how ISNetworld is an integral part of Kinder Morgan’s contactor evaluation process, and shared data to show the improvements.

From Flint Energy, Michael Miller, Safety Training Manager, discussed improvements and efficiencies Flint Energy has experienced since they began their relationship with ISNetworld over four years ago. They are now connected to over 26 Owners in ISNetworld and believe that ISNetworld allows their company to distinguish itself among its peers.  

Texas Railroad Commissioner, Michael Williams, provided an update on upcoming areas of focus for the Texas Railroad Commission. Commissioner Williams spoke about exciting movements in new energy developments that are being pursued by the State of Texas.  

Greg Pritchett, Operational Excellence Manager for P & M Coal Mining Company discussed how his industry is working towards achieving incident free operations in mining. Mr. Pritchett stated that the foundation for achieving incident free operations was ensuring that the company has the right culture. Accountability and observations were crucial components to establishing this culture, but Leadership was “the single largest factor for success”.

OQSG President, Ray Flores, discussed key findings and best practices in conducting a safety review of companies. Steve Greene, NCCER Vice President, discussed industry workforce trends and solutions. Mr. Greene provided statistical data that demonstrated the specific demands, both current and future, for qualified workers and the importance of workforce development programs.  

Multiple Breakout Sessions were held to discuss a variety of topics, encompassing both the Owner and Contractor functionality. Four Owner breakout sessions were held featuring ISN customers and the ISN team. The first presentation, HSE and Procurement Functionality Discussion, featured Ryan Green from Sunoco Inc., who shared his company’s practices. In addition, the ISN Team provided updates on new functionality regarding HSE and Procurement.  Following that session, the ISN Team presented information on ISN Review and Verification Services (RAVS). During the next Owner Breakout Session, Owners had the opportunity to listen to Bill Bannister, from BP Pipeline, discuss OQ Functionality.  The last Breakout Session featured Tim Elsen, Chevron GOM, Scott Christopher, BP GOM, and Courtney Juneau, Safety Management Systems, who reviewed the goals of the GOM Field Audit Network project.

Six contractor breakout sessions were held featuring presentations from ISN contractor customers and the ISN team.  Contractors first had the opportunity to listen to John Crow, with Matrix Service Industrial Contractors, discuss the Review and Verification Services (RAVS) process while Patty Gauldin of T.D. Williamson and Tim Milton of Buffalo Electric spoke about OQ Functionality. SCQ-V sessions for both first time users and experienced users were then given by the ISN Team. The last two Contractor Breakout Sessions provided an overview of Training Manager. Andy Dornan from Pace Industrial and Jackie Cornez at Acadian Contractors, Inc. presented their use of Training Manager for first-time and experienced users as well.

Keynote Speaker Coach Donald L. Haskins, Head Coach of the 1966 NCCA Basketball Champions (Texas Western College n/k/a the University of Texas at El Paso) and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Coach, presented to finish the first day. Coach Haskins, along with former players Nevil Shed and Steve Tredennick, held a Question and Answer forum that allowed the attendees to interact with the Hall of Fame Coach. Topics discussed during the Q&A ranged from the racial tension experienced during the march to the NCAA championship to specific questions about the movie “Glory Road”.

Day two of the conference provided attendees more opportunities to hear Owners and Contractors share best practices. Brent Marchessault, of ConocoPhillips Canada, discussed his company’s HSE Processes and the vital role ISNetworld plays in ConocoPhillips Canada’s overall commitment to safety. Denise Hutchins, Executive Director Life Sciences, of Triumvirate Environmental, spoke about the hidden benefits of ISNetworld. Plains Exploration & Production’s Safety and Training Manager, Terry Ellis, reviewed how his company utilizes Training Manager in ISNetworld. In addition, Dean Larkin, EH&S Manager for Amgen, discussed the importance of Contractor Safety Management in the Biotech Industry. Tim Elsen, Contractor Safety Specialist for Chevron GOM, provided a SafeGulf update.  

ISN Data Partners, NCCER, NCMS, OQSG, DISA, Occuscreen, Energy Worldnet, Safety Management Systems and Test.com, gave informational updates on their services and how they are integrated with ISNetworld.

One-on-one Q&A and helpdesk sessions were also made available to users throughout the conference to address their specific ISNetworld related questions.

Again, we thank you for continued support of ISNetworld. We look forward to seeing you all again in Dallas for our next Annual Users Group Conference and also at several of our regional users group meetings throughout the year. Please be sure to check your email and ISNetworld welcome page for future meetings.