2021 AFPM Annual Meeting Virtual Edition: Overcoming challenges with character and resilience once again
CHET THOMPSON, President and CEO, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
Welcome to the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers 118th Annual Meeting! While there is no substitute to us all being together in one place, I am pleased that many of you will be joining us virtually this year and know you will enjoy the robust and engaging program that we have put together for you.
By any measure, last year presented some of the greatest challenges the fuel and petrochemical industries have faced yet. However, it also gave us the opportunity to demonstrate once again the character and resilience that defines the women and men of our industries. We drew on our inherent determination to not only weather the hardships of the pandemic, but to aid our communities and society, as well. Our industries provided the fuels and petrochemicals that our customers and critical supply chains needed to keep moving and delivered essential frontline products and PPE in the fight against COVID-19.
Despite the turbulence of the past year, our industries also remained true to our mission of sustainably providing the products that populations around the world rely on to thrive. Our companies have dramatically reduced their environmental impacts, focused on developing ever cleaner fuels, improved operational efficiency and safety, have invested heavily in their communities, and continue to build a more inclusive and diversified workforce. They are also bringing advanced recycling systems online and driving breakthroughs in technology to reduce carbon emissions, among other important advancements.
While our nation, economy and industries recover from the impacts of the pandemic, we have good reason for optimism this year. Demand for our products is returning, and major forecasting agencies expect oil demand to rebound sharply in 2021. While we have all felt the impacts of the pandemic on our industries, it has also put the importance of and demand for our products in full display.
This year’s program offers perspectives on a wide range of topics that are vital to our industries. We are looking forward to speaking with leading institutional investors to discuss how ESG considerations are changing the future of investing. Breakout sessions will include panel topics such as the status of the oil markets and the future of U.S. refining, how our companies are contributing to thriving communities, a discussion of key vehicle transportation policies currently under debate, and the outlook for midstream policy. As always, the program will include numerous opportunities for networking that will allow you to engage and connect with your industry peers and colleagues.
I hope you enjoy the meeting and look forward to the opportunity for us all to be back together again in person soon.
Sincerely,
Chet Thompson
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