By: Karl Kofmel
For most of Nov. 22 half the Algonquin cafeteria was taken over by information technology services as a building industry consulting service held their annual region meeting.
A networking and information session the event ran from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with presentations ranging from thermal management and energy efficiency to security trends and convergence.
“Basically they’re just updating us on what’s new in the industry what we can look for and basic (Telecommunications Industry Association), TIA, practices,” said Jesse Caucci an 18-year-old telecommunications technician who is almost done his program at the Pearson Electrotechnology Center.
“BICSI is education based, so it’s all about education,” said the Canadian region manager of BICSI, Peter Levoy. “Education related to telecommunications. We travel around the country bringing updates and presenters educating folks and members right across the country.”
Most of the event was taken up by discussions by those passing on their knowledge. There were breaks given so that the participants could visit the vendors who had paid to be there.
Companies dealing in technology such as network cameras, data cabling and structured cabling were all represented along the sides of the room.
“We’re a manufacturer of structure cabling products which makes BICSI a natural place for us to be,” said the director of sales for hyperline systems Canada, Pat Murphy. “So we’re here to sponsor and showcase our products and raise awareness of upcoming generation of cabling.”
With education at the front, BICSI is always looking for students to learn from the meeting, but they’re not the only ones coming. The group is a diverse one bringing in people from all different areas of the information technological services sector.
“They are end-users,” said Levoy. “They are folks that manage data centers. They’re project managers relating to infrastructure. We have people from Bell Canada, data contractors, some electrical contractors as well.”
The students aren’t the only ones learning either. Even the vendors can pick up something along the way to help them in the future of their industry.
“I do watch the workshops and this is my sixth or seventh event since I’ve been with this company for the last year or so,” said Murphy. “I learn a lot.”
And, of course, those same vendors get their chance at helping the students learn about their products and services.
“I was at the Maxell booth, and the Hyperline booth and I was just asking about their basic stuff,” said Caucci.
“Networking, asking what’s going on about their product and they inform you about everything you need to know.”
This won’t be the last event held at Algonquin. BICSI plans to return again, so if you missed this year’s event you’re in luck.
“We have been coming here for several years in a row and we’ve already secured next year as well,” said Levoy.