BIC Alliance marks 40 years of publishing excellence, charts innovative course

On April 1, BIC Alliance will celebrate four decades of publishing for the energy market as the "Business and Industry Connection."

BIC staff is grateful to its many dedicated readers, marketing partners, industry associations and other collaborators who have been instrumental in BIC achieving this significant milestone as the industry’s premier publisher for 40 years.

In 1984, Earl Heard established BIC Alliance, embarking on a journey to foster connections among individuals in the business and industrial sectors for mutual advancement and prosperity. From its birth, BIC has endeavored to fulfill its mission statement: To connect people in business and industry with one another for the betterment of all.

Since its inception, BIC Magazine has served as a conduit for suppliers of services and products to connect with energy companies on the Gulf Coast and throughout the U.S. to help them increase the profitability and efficiency of their operations. The printed version of BIC Magazine, with its iconic tabloid format, is published six times a year. The publication’s content targets executives, managers and supervisors in refining, petrochemical and chemical production, terminals, pipelines, drilling and exploration, marine, power generation, industrial construction and renewable energy. BIC provides invaluable insights into industry trends and best practices, tackling pertinent issues in operations, reliability, maintenance, procurement, safety and sustainability.

BIC Alliance staff attends over 40 industry trade shows and conferences every year to stay connected with industry leaders and to bring its readership the most current developments.

A new website added a dimension to BIC’s distribution of content in 2011. Far from its modest beginning, BICMagazine.com is on point to attract 1.3 million page views in 2024. Daily content helps plant managers and department leaders be more efficient, stay informed and connect with peers. The website delivers top news and trends, profiles and video interviews of industry leaders, events coverage and case studies and solutions. BICMagazine.com complements the magazine’s evergreen content with timely resources for professionals in the energy sector, facilitating informed decision-making and meaningful connections in the industry.

BIC recently upgraded the magazine’s digital edition to a more responsive and user-friendly platform for both desktop and mobile, allowing readers to complement their experience of reading the print version with rich media on the platform of their choice.

In 2021, BIC streamlined its operations by consolidating its Baton Rouge, Louisiana, office into its South Houston location and by implementing enterprise-wide software specific to publishing, allowing BIC staff to be more responsive to all its constituents.

In addition to continually providing the industry with content that matters, BIC Magazine also delivers value to its marketing partners through myriad innovative outlets including:

Newsletters — Resources Alert, The Networker, BIC 6 and Industry Report

Digital banner ads within newsletters and on BICMagazine.com

Print and digital edition brand exposure

Content-to-lead generation services — Native ad and single sponsor newsletters

Video marketing

Webinars and industry roundtables

Programmatic ads — Automated online ad strategy using AI targeting ads to decision makers

Digital marketing services — Comprehensive customized digital marketing solutions

• Social media — LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram

In 2022, BIC launched The PRIME Expo, for Plant Reliability, Inspection, Maintenance and Engineering professionals. Bringing together key

BIC Alliance marks 40 years of publishing excellence, charts innovative course

stakeholders from downstream and mid-stream industries, the dynamic one-day conference and expo stimulates networking and collaborative exploration of solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and maintenance practices. The PRIME Expo is scheduled for August 20, 2024, in Pasadena, Texas.

1984

The first quarterly issue of Business and Industry Coordinator (BIC) launches.

1997

IVS closes first transaction, the acquisition of AllService Inc by Total Safety.

1999

Thomas Brinsko joins BIC Alliance as President.

2008

BIC Magazine goes full color and opens new Houston office.

2011

BIC Alliance has record year in publishing and BIC Recruiting is incorporated as BIC Alliance sister company.

2017

BIC Alliance receives inaugural TCC/ACIT Leadership Award.

2020

Founder Earl Heard retires and Thomas Brinsko is named CEO.

Jeremy Osterberger is named President of BIC Alliance.

2022

BIC launches a new Plant Reliability, Inspection, Maintenance and Engineering event.

2024

BIC Alliance celebrates 40 years of serving the interests of business and industry.

Additionally, BIC Alliance has hosted its popular Crawfish Boil for 16 years to show its industry partners appreciation for its support, as well as its Fish Fry, going strong for six years.

Under the BIC Alliance umbrella is BIC Recruiting, which specializes in placing management and C-level executives within the energy sector. With an expansive network exceeding 30,000 contacts, BIC’s recruiters excel in identifying top-tier candidates.

BIC Recruiting offers a dedicated online portal catering to both employers and candidates which features job listings, informative articles covering hiring strategies and job search tips.

With its comprehensive services encompassing nationwide searches to identify potential candidates, BIC Recruiting provides regular updates throughout the search process.

It also conducts thorough background checks and drug screening tests, offering a 90-day guarantee and also conducts post-placement follow-up to ensure client satisfaction.

Also under the umbrella is IVS Investment Banking, a mergers and acquisitions consultancy. Leveraging extensive relationships within the industrial sector, IVS employs a strategic "dual path" approach when connecting buyers and sellers, thereby optimizing value for its clients. Since its establishment in 2008, IVS has successfully completed 20 transactions totaling over $425 million.

Through IVS and BIC Recruiting, BIC Alliance is differentiated from other publishers in the energy, construction and environmental sectors with avenues offered to business and industry professionals as they navigate corporate growth.

BIC Alliance is proud to have connected people in the industry for four decades and looks forward to continuing to serve its readers, marketing partners and industry associations for decades to come.