6  
 www.wpma.com / Spring 2026
Association Information        
Gene Inglesby
WPMA Chief
Executive Officer
(CEO)
CEO’s Message
S
2026 WPMAEXPO Review
I once heard a quote: “I do not
know what the formula for success is,
but I do know the formula for failure —
trying to please everyone.” While that
may not always hold true, it certainly
resonates with the role of an association
executive. Despite the challenges that
come with balancing diverse expectations,
I genuinely enjoy my work and am proud
to be part of the WPMA Team.
Our association is a large, multifaceted
operation that relies on the dedication
and talents of many individuals. Much of
WPMA’s success is due to the demand-
ing work of our home office team and our
State Executives. Together, they strive to
fulfill WPMA’s mission by responding to
the needs of our members and supporting
the direction set by our leadership.
The achievements of our association have
a direct impact on your business and
bottom line. A partner is someone who un-
dertakes a journey alongside another, and
in that sense, WPMA serves as a commit-
ted partner to our members through both
challenges and successes. When WPMA
succeeds, our members succeed and when
our members succeed, so do we.
One of the key commitments we make
each year is hosting the WPMAEXPO.
This event is designed to deliver high-
quality educational sessions and highlight
the latest products and services in the
petroleum industry, creating value and
opportunity for all to be involved and
network together.
I would like to share some insights from
the 2026 Convention Survey. Ninety
percent were satisfied with their overall
experience at the WPMAEXPO. Seventy-
three percent stated the most valuable
aspect was networking. Eighty-three
percent were satisfied with their exhibit
hall experience. Seventy-four percent of
the attendees at our ladies’ luncheon rated
the program excellent and appreciated
having a women’s only event.
Additionally, thirty-eight percent of
attendees downloaded the WPMAEXPO
APP, finding features such as the schedule
of events, educational events, exhibitor
map, exhibitor listings, and alerts espe-
cially useful. They could also bid on the
WPMA Scholarship Silent Auction items.
Sixty-five percent indicated their primary
reasons for attending the convention were
participating in the trade show, making
business contacts, networking, and discov-
ering new products and services. Based
on both survey results and attendee feed-
back, the 2026 WPMA Convention was
a strong success.
We have had a lot of great suggestions
for next year’s speakers, educational
sessions, and changes we can implement
to make the WPMAEXPO more efficient
for the exhibitors and attendees. The
WPMA Convention Committee and I read
and carefully evaluate all the comments
from the survey to help build a better
show to meet the needs of all involved.
We review these considerations annually
and remain committed to meeting the
evolving needs of our members. If you
have questions, suggestions, or ideas, I
welcome the opportunity to discuss them
with you.
Thank you for your continued support.
I look forward to another successful year
and wish all our members continued
growth and prosperity.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.