April 24, 2007 -- BICSI has announced the successful completion of its 2007 Spring Conference. Held the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, a suburb of Dallas, the event drew more than 1,800 participants and featured a blend of seminars, interactive exhibitions and networking opportunities for members of the information transport systems (ITS) industry.
The conference General Session opened on Monday, April 16 with remarks from BICSI president John Bakowski, RCDD/NTS/OSP/WD Specialist, and executive director David Cranmer, RCDD, both of whom donned cowboy hats, boots and spurs to welcome the audience in authentic Texas style, according to a press release.
The event's keynote presentation, "America's Economic Future: The Six Unstoppable Trends," was delivered by Dr. Barry Asmus, a senior economist with the National Center for Policy Analysis. U.S. economic trends cited in the speech included a strong stock market, low unemployment, low inflation, high labor productivity, high economic growth and consumer confidence at record levels; Asmus advised the audience of the need to capitalize on these trends for overall success in their business ventures.
Conference attendees had the opportunity to design their own schedules on Tuesday, selecting from over 16 Concurrent Session presentations. Session topics included: reducing energy costs; low-voltage applications in multi-dwelling units; telecommunications cabinets; future technologies in clinical environments; data center construction and management; video signal transmissions; physical security; video security and surveillance systems; screened and shielded cabling systems; Category 6 shielded cable; communications design for new laboratory environments; PON-based FTTH; and increasing marketplace demands on installation contractors.
The conference also saw the introduction of the "BICSI Credential Holders Lounge," sponsored by ITS-Jobs.com. Located away from the buzz of the seminar and exhibit floors, the lounge provided a more intimate setting where BICSI RCDDs and ITS installers/technicians could network, socialize and relax.
Also, conference participants showed their usual generosity through donations to the BICSI Cares charity organization. The conference's receiving charity was the Summer Santa organization, which works to remind everyone that giving and volunteering on behalf of children in need ought to be a year-round activity. Summer Santa representatives were on hand during the conference's Closing Session ceremonies to receive a check in the amount of $11,700. "You don't know how much we appreciate this, and how much this is going to provide for a lot of kids this summer season," said Lori Burr, chairman of Summer Santa.
The event's closing keynote presentation featured the motivational speaker Jim Morris, co-author of his autobiography, "The Oldest Rookie," which inspired the 2002 movie "The Rookie," starring Dennis Quaid. Stating, "I realized I had been given a second chance to fulfill my life's dream," Morris reminded the audience that "even though we all make mistakes in life," they should remember to never give up on reaching their goals.
According to BICSI, "by the numbers," this year's Spring event saw 690 professional registrations, with 101 exhibiting companies and 482 exhibitor registrations, as well as 567 visitors, including 74 first-time attendees and 131 guest registrations.
