The biggest night in the social calendar is back – and it promises to be more glamorous and better than ever.
The Energy Ball – in association with CHC Helicopter – is officially launched today by our sister paper The Press and Journal commits to continue celebrating the successes and bright future of the oil and gas sector here in the North of Scotland, 50 years after oil first started pumping out of the North Sea.
Last year, more than 1,400 people attended the sumptuous black tie event, held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, with a spectacular dinner and host of entertainment. It’s open to anyone who is involved, either directly or indirectly, with the industry, or wants to be part of the success story.
This year, the event is going to be more exclusive than ever before and for the first time in Scotland, Swan Band is travelling direct from France to perform throughout the night for us in Aberdeen.
Favoured by a host of celebrities to perform at their weddings and chosen by Kenny Dalglish to star at his private charity party, this amazing 14-strong band will offer Aberdeen something that’s never been seen in the city before – and is never likely to be seen again.
Swan Band has performed at top events including: The Champions League Cup Final in Moscow; Manchester United FA Cup Finals; for Prince Albert of Monaco; At a private 60th birthday in Istanbul for a Hong Kong entrepreneur; and at Compare the Market awards balls for the last five years.
The event, being held on Saturday, October 3, will have a strong gold theme running through it as it celebrates the 50th anniversary of the industry in the North of Scotland.
Tables of ten are now on sale for the event, and are selling fast.
There will also be some big names in attendance and a host of other surprises will be revealed in the coming weeks as The Press and Journal continues to chronicle, support and celebrate the oil and gas sector.
Aberdeen Journals Editor-In-Chief Damian Bates said that it was important that The P&J and the whole community came together to celebrate 50 years of oil and gas in the North Sea – a sector that has done so much for the north of Scotland, despite the tough times it currently finds itself facing.
“It is easy to sit back and complain about the tough times we face and, yes, it’s not nice out there at the moment, but this sector can and should have a very bright future.
“The Press and Journal has chronicled every moment of the industry’s rise, fall and rise again, and we are confident that it will come out of the current tough times stronger than before.
“I’m delighted that our friends at CHC Helicopter, Statoil, Balmoral, Bond, Dandara, ITC Hydrolics, Mattioli Woods, Panalpina and Sky Futures believe the same as we do and want to join forces with The Press and Journal to invite you to join us at this amazing event; the biggest and best of its kind in Scotland.
“I’m also passionate that the next generation of young people who will continue to drive its success see that we believe in its future prosperity and join us in looking back at the past 12 months but, more importantly, looking forward to the future with confidence and determination.
“This is the best night of the year for the industry to show all the doom mongers that the sector is still very much alive and kicking, and will be with us for decades to come.
“There is no better way to network with peers and show the world how great, resilient and vibrant this industry is.”
From the entrance to the entertainment, the Energy Ball 2015 has been given a complete makeover, while making sure it retains the core themes: fine food, great dancing and the chance for everyone – bosses, workers and families alike – to let their hair down.
Mark Abbey, regional director for CHC West North Sea, said he was delighted the company was at the heart of the event.
“The offshore industry harnesses a spirit of endeavour and a culture of collaboration to deliver safe operations in the world’s most challenging environments, none more so than the North Sea industry over the past 50 years,” Mr Abbey said.
“CHC Helicopter plays a vital role in the industry, moving people and other resources safely and efficiently. As a world-leading helicopter operator, we enable the people of the North Sea offshore industry to go further, do more and come home safely – and we are proud to be a part of the 50 year celebration at the 2015 P&J Energy Ball in association with CHC.
“My own company’s roots trace back to Okanagan Air Services, a crop sprayer formed in 1947 in British Columbia, Canada —the same year the first offshore oil well was drilled out of sight of land. Renamed Okanagan Helicopters and relocated to Vancouver, two years later the company developed the first skid wheel gear for helicopters, establishing itself as an industry innovator.
“Over the past 50 years, like many of our offshore customers, we have continued to innovate and drive safety standards ever-higher, globally. And we’re looking forward to recognising and celebrating the innovation, commitment, and talent that makes the UK’s offshore industry a world leader at the Energy Ball in October.”
The P&J, in consultation with CHC, has also decided that this year the official charity of Aberdeen Royal Children’s Hospital, the ARCHIE Foundation, and Wings for Warriors – that helps injured servicemen find roles outside the armed forces – will be the beneficiaries of any charitable giving on the night.
ARCHIE is currently fundraising for its High 10 appeal to rejuvenate and enhance the hospital 10 years after The P&J helped raise the money to build the facility that treats children from across the North of Scotland.
Mr Bates said: “The night is not, ostensibly, a charitable event but if we can raise some money for these great causes and everyone goes home happy then we know that it’s been a great success.”
But he also made a plea to those wanting to take tables to look beyond the current bosses running the industry.
“We’re asking everyone who takes a table to try to reach out to some of the younger members of their team, the next generation, to join us and see the great side of the sector,” Mr Bates said.