BICSI closes 2015 fall conference with data center, design focus

Las Vegas, Nev., September 24, 2015—BICSI, the association advancing the information and communications technology (ICT) community, closed its 2015 BICSI Fall Conference & Exhibition this afternoon. The five-day conference attracted attendees from all over the world to gain industry knowledge, take in the latest ICT products and services, and network with colleagues.

Thursday's Closing General Session opened with two technical presentations. First, Jack Brouwer of the University of California – Irvine delivered “Fuel Cell Power for Data and IT Centers, which focused on the benefits and capabilities of data center fuel cell technology.

Then, Joseph Ford, RCDD, of Alanna Consulting Group, LLC, in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, presented “Can We Talk?...When the Design Team Doesn’t Talk, Everyone is Left Speechless!” Ford spoke of the importance of talking and coordinating with the design team, including information gathering during the design process, gathering criteria from the client, transferring the criteria accurately to construction documents, and coordinating efforts and disciplines so that the pieces fit together nicely. These presentations rounded out the program of more than 25 technical sessions.

“BICSI strives to offer a conference program that covers the latest ICT technologies,” said BICSI President Michael Collins, RCDD, RTPM, CCDA, NCE. “For this conference, we were able to offer sessions on 4K video; 5G technologies; distributed antenna systems; and Category 8 cable, to name a few. Our goal is to continue offering high quality, cutting-edge education that meets the needs of our conference attendees."

The morning continued with a stirring presentation from BICSI's charity arm, BICSI Cares. Donations collected from attendees during the conference were given to Toys 4 Smiles, a Las Vegas-based charity that uses volunteer labor, scrap wood, and lots of love to make wooden toys for children in crisis, and for children of all ages in need of a smile.

Finally, those in attendance were treated to a Closing Keynote presentation and performance from world-renowned drummer Mark Schulman. Schulman has enjoyed an unprecedented career over the last 20+ years as a first-call drummer for world-class rock and pop artists. He was voted a Top 3 Pop-Rock Drummers in the 2014 Modern Drummer Reader’s Poll. His Keynote kept the audience entertained and provided them with essential tools to transform any fear or anxiety into confident peak performance.

Attendees and exhibitors alike responded positively to the conference. “I enjoy coming to BICSI conferences because I see all the new products that manufacturers are offering, the trends in the ICT industry, and the networking opportunities,” said Jay Fodrea, RCDD, of Cochran, Inc., in Seattle, Washington.

“We like the excellent interaction with end users, resellers and partners at BICSI conferences,” said David Fusco of Zhone Technologies in Oakland, California.

During President Collins’ closing remarks, he announced that the 2016 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition will be held January 31-February 4 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Details can be found at bicsi.org/winter.