Year in Review 2024 – Highlights from the Blog
In 2024, Westlark Advisors was active serving our clients, attending and participating in several industry conferences, keeping up with changes in the energy industry, and sharing some of these things with you in our blog. As we close out this year, we wanted to do a brief overview of some of the highlights this year from our blog posts.
1. Exploration of Central and South American energy markets
At the end of 2023, Westlark Advisors began a series that examined energy markets in Central and South America. Westlark Advisors team member, Gabe Amundarain continued this series through 2024, highlighting the role of propane and LPG in these markets and the impact these markets have on the U.S. and global energy markets.
You can find Westlark Advisors’ entire Central/South American market review series here – South America Archives – Westlark Advisors.
2. Answer questions about hedging and risk management
Westlark Advisors has received many questions about hedging and risk management over 25 years in the industry. In 2024 we started a series on our blog to answer some of those questions.
Hedging 101 provided information and training about hedging that could be appreciated by beginners and those with more experience. Our second goal with this series was to provide building blocks to understand future hedging concepts.
Building on the terms and concepts shared in our first series, we began a second one – Hedging 201. In this series Westlark Advisors team member, Matt Adams, talked about how forward curve structures and spreads tell a commodity’s story. Team member JD Buss continued with a post on how understanding that story can help you assess your company’s risks.
You can find both of Westlark Advisors’ series on Hedging here – Hedging Archives – Westlark Advisors.
3. Explore the value of soft skills in the energy industry
Technical knowledge and expertise play a great role in the energy industry. These “hard skills” are often viewed as more valuable within the commodity sector because they are easier to quantify. At Westlark Advisors we believe interpersonal skills are just as important in the long run.
In 2024, we explored the value of interpersonal skills through a blog series titled Soft Skills Matter. We looked at skills like communication, problem solving, creativity, flexibility, and work ethic, examining the benefits they bring to the workplace.
Expanding on these concepts, Westlark Advisors team member, Tina Schmitt, began a series inspired by Will Guidara’s best seller, Unreasonable Hospitality – The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. This series highlights how harnessing hospitality can be transformative for your business.
For example, practicing unreasonable hospitality with your customers can have positive impacts on your business, leading to sustained success. While expanding your practice of hospitality toward your employees can help create a company culture where employees are more likely to be engaged, focused, and committed to the success of your business.
You can find Westlark Advisors’ series on Soft Skills and Hospitality here – Soft Skills Archives – Westlark Advisors.
4. Participation in several industry conferences
Each year, Westlark Advisors team members attend several industry conferences, and 2024 was no exception.
- The first week of April, Westlark Advisors team members attended the Southeastern Convention and International Propane Expo. This event marks the official “beginning of spring” for the propane industry and has been a mainstay of the U.S. propane market for decades.
- In July, Westlark Advisors team member, JD Buss, spoke at the Great Lakes Propane Convention. Organized by the Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio Propane Associations, this convention included educational sessions, a vendor showcase, and social events. JD’s topic was – How climate change policies are driving new supply alternatives for propane and other energy commodities.
- In August, Westlark Advisors team members, JD Buss and Gabriel Amundarain, attended the 6th International LPG Congress in Bogotá, Colombia. Organized by GASNOVA, with international allies WLPGA, AIGLP, and OPIS, a Dow Jones company, the congress focused on the role of LPG as a low-emission energy product and its growing importance on a national and global scale.
- The first week of November, Westlark Advisors team member and President, JD Buss, spoke at OPIS’ first Global LPG Conference in Houston, Texas. Over 200 people from 25 different countries attended this event. This conference included multiple presentations about the continued growth of NGL production for years to come. JD’s topic was – Hedging and Risk Management.
5. What’s coming in 2025 . . .Lot’s more!
Keep watching our website and look for updates on LinkedIn for new posts in the next year!
Year in Review 2024 – Highlights from the Blog
By JD Buss
