Oil show move-in

Gone are any remnants of the goats and carnies that recently inhabited the Ector County Coliseum complex during the Permian Basin Fair.

And, Monday morning, semi-trucks with pumpjacks on their trailers were lined up waiting to get into exhibit space for the 2008 Permian Basin International Oil Show.

The pumpjacks belonged to Lufkin Industries, among the first exhibitors to start setting up for the Oct. 21-23 show, oil show executive director Tony Fry said.

"We're encouraging the large equipment (companies) to move in next week, but with Lufkin being right up at the front, they kind of want to move out of the way," he said.

The seven buildings being used at the coliseum are in the process of being turned over from cleanup crews to workers for Freeman, a Dallas contractor that has prepared such events as the recent Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Doug Hester, Freeman's account manager for the oil show, said a two-person crew would begin work at the coliseum today. Next week, a crew of 20 to 25 people will come in to set up for the 708 exhibitors using 1,118 exhibit spaces spread over 350,000 square feet. Those workers will help set up with local crews.

Freeman will bring in 15 trailers of equipment, Hester said. The company coordinates with exhibitors to see exactly what they want their displays to look like.

While the Republican National Committee is the only entity the company has to deal with at its convention, Freeman must deal with each of the exhibitors at the oil show.

"Every show has its own different criteria," Hester said. "(The Republican convention) had its own stage and lighting."

Fry said the hectic times are just getting started.

"Our contractors have all been through this before, so they know the routine," he said.