Matthew O'Connor

Former Senior External Communications Advisor PETRONAS Canada

Matthew believes that Life and work aren’t about what others can do for you, they are about telling the truth, being human, and conducting oneself with ethics.As a senior communications professional who has spent time working with Fortune 500 Companies, PETRONAS, and Imperial Oil (ExxonMobil), with leading professional services firm Ernst and Young, international not-for-profit The Red Cross, and locally at the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Matthew been exposed to and led a variety of different communications efforts, both domestically and internationally. He believes that communications should be based on strategic market research and understanding your audience, so you can speak to where the conversation is already happening. Foundational to his approach is building strong and meaningful relationships.Most recently Matthew has started a communications firm called Oppportunity Knocks Communications, based out of Calgary. He has expanded his expertise beyond oil and gas to include working with pharmaceutcal companies and tech start ups. When not working with clients, Matthew can be found taking care of his two boys and aussiedoodle or trying to recreate whatever meal his wife has recently seen online.

Main Conference Day One - November 6

3:40 PM Maintaining Trust During Times of Transformation

Attitudes towards the oil & gas sector are changing rapidly. With increasing scrutiny, new regulations, and a worker shortage, operators are faced with the task of not only maintaining trust internally, but externally too. Knowing how to keep your workforce, stakeholders, and the public on board as you navigate change will be crucial in ensuring your success.

Panelists will discuss:

  • ● Communicating your strategies for transformation: to workers, senior leaders, stakeholders and beyond
  • ● How to position digital and AI initiatives as net benefits to your org and the people in it
  • ● The importance of an open dialogue and centering people within your transformation strategies to minimize resistance to change
  • ● Why listening matters: hearing and responding to concerns from both within and outside your organization

Main Conference Day Two - November 7

12:10 PM When Operations Aren’t So Excellent: Lessons Learnt in Crisis Management

  • ● When crisis happens, how do you keep all stakeholders informed and engaged?
  • ● Why messaging matters when managing crises, how to manage strategies for response and create
  • clear communication channels
  • ● How do you manage reputation in the middle of a crisis?
  • ● Leading during a crisis and the importance of emergency preparedness


Check out the incredible speaker line-up to see who will be joining Matthew.

Download The Latest Agenda