Starting next Sunday, the four-day conference returns to its 'birthplace' - with registrations totalling well over 1000 people - and the numbers are still rising.

This year's conference - at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre - has also attracted a sell-out Trade Exhibition involving 115 booths from Australian and overseas-based petroleum industry companies.

APPEA says the level of interest in this year's exhibition was unprecedented and unfortunately resulted in many companies missing out on booth space.

Industry 'old-timers' say one of the reasons for only 70 delegates attending the first APPEA conference in Melbourne in 1961 was the absence of Bureau of Mineral Resources and other government representatives who were apparently forbidden to attend by Canberra.

Smart-thinking APPEA councillors got around that with the approach: "Well you are not allowed to attend our day sessions, but surely you can come and have some 'refreshments' afterwards at our evening social functions?"

Suffice to say, the attendance rose significantly each evening although the social function numbers were not officially recorded.

The now-famous social side of the conference will be at its usual best this year. As well as the record number of plenary session and technical session speakers at the 23-26 March conference, hundreds of people will attend APPEA's traditionally popular social functions.

The first and most traditional social event of the annual conference is the "Welcome Reception" which this year is being held on Sunday evening 23 March at one of Australia's most historic sporting venues - the Flemington Racecourse.

"APPEA goes to the races" is the theme for this year's official opening function where delegates - as well as enjoying the usually superb food and wine on offer - will be able to partake in a flutter and absorb the sights and sounds of the famous racetrack.

Other official functions at this year's APPEA conference include the official 'evening' event in the Plaza Ballroom of Melbourne's renowned Regent Theatre on 25 March and the Farewell Cocktail Party on 26 March at Atlantic South Wharf.

The Governor of Victoria, John Landy, AC, MBE, will officially open the 2003 APPEA Conference on Monday 24 March.