The American Association of Petroleum Geologists pioneered the concept of an International Pavilion (IP) as part of the annual North American Convention & Exhibition in Denver in 1994 to offer members and convention-goers a unique opportunity to visit the world at a single venue. Over the ten-year history of the IP, exhibiting countries have included evolving democracies in Central and Eastern Europe, newly independent nations of the former Soviet Union; developing countries in Africa, Southern Asia and the Far East; and new civilian-led governments in Central and South America.

Government ministries, commercial and energy agencies and national petroleum companies from all over the world use the IP to maximize the opportunities for serious discussions between the assembled delegations and the professionals who can forge the business
relationships.

In 1997, the online version of the IP was launched to help promote the IP to a worldwide audience . The Online IP is evolving into the preeminent source of information for the
promotion of hydrocarbon potential and joint development opportunities by individual
countries to the international oil industry.

Each year, all countries exhibiting in the IP provide comprehensive information ranging from fiscal and legal regimes to current joint venture opportunities. Countries will also use the Online IP as a vehicle for promoting upcoming licensing rounds and current data packages thus making it a valuable year round source of information for the global
petroleum industry.