CERAWeek is the world’s premier energy event. As “the Davos of energy,” it sets the tone for the energy conversation each year. 2025 will be no different, offering leaders a unique platform to showcase technology innovation, hear from influential policymakers, and engage with media on key energy themes.
Seizing the value of that platform requires careful preparation and planning. Every year, FGS Global helps clients capitalize on these 5 opportunities:
1. Organizing Your Team and Agenda
The scale of content available at CERAWeek mirrors the scale of the event itself. To make the most of it, you need to understand what’s on offer and what your team hopes to achieve. Review the main stage agenda and Agora Innovation exhibitions and pinpoint which areas will provide the most value for individual attendees and your business overall.
Consider also researching the backgrounds of each speaker and panelist to understand how their expertise might be useful to you, or what questions you can plan to ask them. Don’t overlook smaller sessions, as these discussions can provide in-depth insights and openings for direct interaction with experts.
With your list in hand, make sure each of your attendees downloads the app in advance to set their agendas each day so they don’t miss any key sessions. But remember, CERAWeek’s programming is just the start of what’s available – you'll want to balance having a strategic agenda with leaving space for real-time connection.
Sending the right team members is critical. Choose experts who will be able to adapt to and capitalize on the more open-ended nature of the event by successfully leading meetings, nurturing relationships, and discovering new opportunities.
2. Maximizing Networking Opportunities
CERAWeek is the ultimate networking event, bringing world leaders together in one setting. Take advantage of that access. For partners and sponsors, this means reviewing the list of attendees ahead of time to craft a priority list. Think about the types of stakeholders you want to meet, whether they're from areas like finance or business or technology.
Focus on meetings that are uniquely enabled by CERAWeek’s format, such as with policymakers who would otherwise be difficult to pin down (this is especially relevant for 2025’s event, as it is the first CERAWeek under the new U.S. presidential administration). Of course, be sure to adapt your goals, messages, and tactics to the audience you’ll be engaging with – and have clear topics in mind to explore with these experts.
For first-time attendees, consider partnering with an experienced firm that has ongoing relationships with and expert knowledge of the attendees. This will allow you to schedule one-on-one meetings with key identified participants, for which you might also want to book a private meeting room.
3. Elevating Your Corporate Profile
Maximizing the event’s potential to bolster your reputation requires a coordinated thought leadership platform. Understand each conference theme and orient your messaging accordingly. Reach specific stakeholders by taking advantage of media opportunities, prioritizing key outlets and proactively working with journalists to build out possible coverage in advance.
Additionally, be sure to visit media centers on site for ad hoc features - but keep in mind that your executives are your representatives in these cases, so you do not want to overlook the importance of media training. Lastly, don’t forget to share your wins. Social media can help you echo your message beyond the confines of the conference.
Social media is also an effective tool for sharing real-time updates, but it’s critical to keep your message consistent. Consider setting up an internal clearing house to help draft and review social media posts from the event. You might also want to deploy a photographer or video team to capture your executives in action, or it might be useful to execute a sophisticated paid campaign to ring-fence targeted audiences.
Before the conference closes out, pay attention to gaps in the programming and present organizers with ideas for how you could contribute to panels, Q&A’s, and other speaking sessions next year.
4. Exploring Beyond the Walls of CERA
The possibilities do not end at the conference doors. If you don’t have a ticket or feel inclined to venture outside, explore networking events hosted by other businesses or vendors. You might also want to host your own events during the week, such as a dinner for special contacts or informal coffee chats to build upon in-conference meetings.
Don’t forget to also take advantage of the many attractions Houston has to offer as stakeholder hosting opportunities. Visit the NASA/Johnson Space Center, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Museum of Fine Arts, or the Houston Grand Opera. Then wash it all down with great BBQ at Armadillo Palace or The Pit Room.
5. Leveraging Strategic Partners
CERAWeek has seemingly limitless potential, and while that is exciting, it can also be overwhelming. That’s where a strategic partner comes in. Working with an experienced team can help you refine your goals and build a clear and coordinated game plan. By offering you exclusive insights, a partner can improve your confidence, ensure your communications resonate, and make sure you stand out from others in the space.
Plus, dedicated support means everything about the event is taken care of, so you can focus on maximizing your experience and placing your expertise where it is most needed. It also means going from a new player to a star participant in a shorter time frame – an outcome FGS Global has secured for our clients many times over.
Clearly, CERAWeek is more than just a conference; it’s a pivotal chance to shape your organization’s future in the energy sector. By zeroing in on strategic planning, maximizing networking opportunities, and elevating your corporate profile, you can transform your participation into tangible business outcomes – and take full advantage of all that CERAWeek has to offer.
To learn more about how FGS Global can support your CERAWeek team, contact us.