Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1087604
FEATURE Page 5 ANNUAL CABLING SKILLS CHALLENGE ENERGY IN THE EXHIBIT HALL New Product Pavilion, What's New, What's It Do? and Cabling Skills Challenge Exhibit Hall visitors cheered from the sidelines as 18 installers and technicians raced to perform eight industry tasks and several speed challenges during the 2019 BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge. Always exciting, the event featured competitions in structured cabling installation, copper and fiber terminations, cable assembly, troubleshooting and technical support, fiber link testing and industry professionalism. An impressive group of competitors made for intense, but friendly rivalry. See page 8 to see who was crowned 2019 BICSI Installer of the Year. Remember, you can always compete next year! The 2020 BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge will take place at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida during the Winter Conference & Exhibition. The Challenge takes place 10-12 February. Visitors to the New Product Pavilion were given the opportunity to vote for 2019 Best in Show. Congratulations to AFL for their FOCIS Lightning MPO Fiber Inspection System. Winners were also awarded in the following categories: • Install Tools, Methods and Testing: AFL • Connectors and Connectorization: Omnitron Systems • Copper and Optical Fiber Cable Innovation: Lynn Electronics • Physical Support Equipment: Tie with PoE Texas and Snake Tray With so much activity in the Exhibit Hall, it seems fitting to have an official ribbon- cutting ceremony. Larry "Gator" Gates, known as The Lone Exhibitor, helped open the doors as he played guitar and sang a collection of songs from the '40s to today. The Exhibit Hall represented a cross- section of future-driven organizations. Products and services focused on the newest technologies and innovations to ensure attendees and their companies continue to advance their objectives and grow with the industry. Nearly 180 exhibitors lined the show floor, some giving quick overviews during What's New, What's It Do? segments and others highlighting their newest offerings in the New Product Pavilion.