Don Dimitroff of Columbus McKinnon, as well as TOMCAT's own Dave Beard, coached participants through the Lodestar electric chain hoist. Rocky Paulson of Stage Rigging Inc. a Freeman Company and Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances stressed safety in rigging techniques and fall protection equipment while Keith Bohn, Tomcat design manager, and Will Todd, Tomcat project manager, offered a course in truss theory and design. Not only did participants receive four days of power-packed, informative classes, but also four nights of fun filled entertainment, including the traditional factory night at Tomcat USA, with extensive tours, demonstrations, contests and a graduation ceremony. In addition to hearing raves about the instruction, participants were thrilled with the generous helping of Texas hospitality "It's like I'm a high roller in Las Vegas!" stated Andrew Dooley from Frost Lighting.
The company also announced an Advanced Hoist and Rigging Workshop to be held early next year in addition to the current curriculum. It will cover more in depth topics as well as more practical applications related to the industry. More information regarding the Advanced Workshop will be available later this summer. Recognized worldwide as the most comprehensive training course of its kind, the Tomcat Hoist and Rigging Workshop is a unique learning opportunity for those new to the entertainment industry, as well as veterans of the business.
(Sarah Rushton-Read)
