Conference Schedule

Online Registration

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PRE-CONFERENCE MASTERCLASSES

Sunday, 28 February

Monday, 1 March

CONFERENCE SESSIONS

Tuesday, 2 March

Wednesday, 3 March

Thursday, 4 March

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Jeremy Witikko

Doug Mouton

Jessica Holmes

Winter Pre-Conference Masterclasses

Sunday, 30 January

TIMES	SESSION		CECs
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	MASTERCLASSES
	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	“Fundamentals of Passive Optical LAN” - Day 1 of 2 Matt Miller – AECOM – Baltimore, Maryland, USA Chad Hines – ITConnect Inc. – Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA This two-day seminar will provide an overview of the value, architecture, design, and powering considerations for a passive optical LAN technology. Specific focus will be given to system components, benefits, design methodologies, power survivability using AC and DC methods, planning and commissioning of electronics, infrastructure testing, and closeout package deliverables. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & Passive Optical Networks (PON) \|	*12 CECs* *Member* *$660* *Non-Member* *$900*
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	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	“Fundamentals of Design, Installation, and Best Practices for Campus Multi-Tenant at Borders” Pablo Lopez Mayorga, RCDD, OSP – MultiRedes – Managua, Nicaragua Learn about design and installation consideration in multi-tenant government environment using BICSI 002 Series, TIA Telecommunication cabling Standards Series, OSP Series BICSI Manuals, recommendation of TDMM Series, and more. Topic: \| ICT Professional Development \|	*6 CECs* *Member* *$330* *Non-Member* *$450*
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	8:30 a.m. - Noon	“National Electrical Code Issues for the Low-Voltage Designer” Leo Marsh, RCDD, PE – Jacobs Engineering – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA This presentation begins with an overview of the National Electrical Code (NEC) then progresses to an analysis of the Articles related to data center design. The overview will cover the NEC organization with a focus on sections common to low voltage system designers. Data Center Code topics to include clearances, grounding, battery systems, cabling with PoE, and NFPA 75. We’ll conclude with a discussion of newer NEC Articles and future trends. Topic: \| Data Center\|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	8:30 a.m. - Noon	“Sensitive Information and Secure Facility Cabling” William Hulsether, RCDD, NTS, OSP, WD – TEMPEST and Infrastructure Consulting LLC – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, USA Sensitive information facilities and data systems have unique and additional cabling and other requirements to prevent data from being intercepted or monitored. Compromise of sensitive data can result in the loss of millions of dollars. This seminar covers considerations for sensitive facility infrastructure design, cabling, and other related requirements above those for normal facilities. Secure facility cabling and signal threats and protection measures along with special installation considerations are covered. Topic: \| ICT Professional Development \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	1 - 4:30 p.m.	“PoE Lighting and Automation Boot Camp” Tyler Andrews – PoE Texas – Austin, Texas, USA Joseph Herbst – PoE Texas – Austin, Texas, USA Top subject matter experts in designing, project managing, deploying, and commissioning PoE Lighting and Automation perform hands-on demonstrations on how to plan and deploy a PoE lighting and automation system from drawing mark ups to turn over documentation. This masterclass will cover practical skills, lessons learned and best practices for deploying a PoE lighting system from sizing the network gear to installing light fixtures to ensuring a successful hand over to building owners and developers. Topic: \| Power over Ethernet \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	1 - 4:30 p.m.	“Help Close the Digital Divide – FTTx Outside Plant Design Fundamentals” Danny Huffman – ONUG Communications – Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Sean Kelly, RCDD – Light Brigade – York, Pennsylvania, USA This masterclass will focus on the proper design of FTTx point-to-point and point-to-multipoint passive optical networks (PON) with home run, centralized, and distributed topologies. Learn about the importance of customer take rate and density and how they apply to your design. The masterclass will review various network configurations, design benchmarks, and installation parameters for FTTx systems. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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Monday, 31 January

TIMES	SESSION		CECs
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	MASTERCLASSES
	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	“Fundamentals of Passive Optical LAN” – Day 2 of 2 Matt Miller – AECOM – Baltimore, Maryland, USA Chad Hines – ITConnect Inc. – Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA This two-day seminar will provide an overview of the value, architecture, design, and powering considerations for a passive optical LAN technology. Specific focus will be given to system components, benefits, design methodologies, power survivability using AC and DC methods, planning and commissioning of electronics, infrastructure testing, and closeout package deliverables. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & Passive Optical Networks (PON) \|	*12 CECs* *Member* *$660* *Non-Member* *$900*
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	8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.	“Designing for PoE Lighting and Automation” Tyler Andrews – PoE Texas – Austin, Texas, USA Luis Suau – Sinclair Digital LLC – Plantation, Florida, USA Matt Conger – Sinclair Digital LLC – Fort Worth, Texas, USA Donald Walker – Newcomb & Boyd – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Joseph Herbst – PoE Texas – Austin, Texas, USA Top design professionals and subject matter experts with experience in designing and constructing Power over Ethernet intelligent buildings share their best practices and lessons learned. This masterclass covers quantifying the value proposition; defining scope, roles, and responsibilities through design, construction, and operations; presenting system architecture; and strategizing how to take advantage of PoE automation for LEED and Wellness standards. Attendees gain crucial skills and knowledge essential to delivering better intelligent buildings for developers and owners. Topic: \| Power over Ethernet \|	*6 CECs* *Member* *$330* *Non-Member* *$450*
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	8:30 a.m. - Noon	“Green and Brown Field Practical Design for Smart Buildings in the Real World” Henry Franc, RCDD, OSP, CDCDP – Belden – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada F. Patrick Mahoney, RCDD, CSI, CDT – Direct Supply Inc. – Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Much of the coverage and understanding of IoT, Smart Spaces and Global Connectivity shows what you can do with a green field project and the promise the future may hold. What about the built environment? How do we bring that promise to the spaces and structures already built? In this masterclass we will discuss the business drivers, technologies, practical solutions, and various approaches not just for green field projects, but also the built environment. Topic: \| Intelligent Buildings / Smart Cities / Internet of Things \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	8:30 a.m. - Noon	“Twisted AV” Eric Marshall – E.R.I.C. Low Voltage Services – Modesto, California, USA In this masterclass we will look at how twisted-pair category cabling can be used in AV, give advice on how to start doing AV, how to look at generic AV designs using mostly twisted-pair cabling, and we will look at Piedmont High School Theater, which was converted to all Category cabling, fiber, and some speaker cabling. You will leave with practical tools to use Category cabling in AV systems. Topic: \| Audiovisual \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	1 - 4:30 p.m.	“Facing the Challenges of Today’s Modern Data Center – From Hyperscale to Edge” Sean Adam – AFL – Westford, Massachusetts, USA Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM – AFL – Monroe, North Carolina, USA Lucas Mays – AFL – Duncan, South Carolina, USA Subbu Meiyappan – ECSite, Inc. – Santa Clara, California, USA From Cloud to Edge, the challenges in designing and deploying today's Data Centers are increasing. This masterclass will take an in-depth look at not only the optical infrastructure required to meet the needs to today’s modern data center, but also opportunities to improve deployment speed, quality, and accuracy through rack & roll strategies, pre-term solutions, and automated workflow and report generation. A specific look will be given on the emerging "Edge." Topic: \| Data Center \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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	1 - 4:30 p.m.	“Reuse or Replace? Will the Fiber I Have Installed Today Support My Applications Tomorrow?” Jim Davis – Fluke Networks – Everett, Washington, USA Guillaume Lavallee – EXFO – Quebec, Quebec, Canada Tiger Ninomiya – Senko Advanced Components – Marlboro, Massachusetts, USA Steve Cowles, RCDD, NTS – AEM – Chandler, Arizona, USA Derek Whitehurst – Corning Optical Communications – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA This extremely practical masterclass from five of the leading companies in the Fiber Optics market, and all members of the TIA's Fiber Optic Technology Consortium (FOTC), will answer the question of what performance you can expect from your currently installed Fiber Optic cable and connectors, and when — or if — you need to upgrade your infrastructure to support emerging bandwidth and connectivity requirements. Looking to the future, we will also examine the latest trends in fiber, components and testing with both presentations and live demonstrations of the latest in fiber, connectors, and test equipment. If you need to replace components, or expand your fiber infrastructure, here is the opportunity to see what is happening in the industry. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|	*3 CECs* *Member* *$165* *Non-Member* *$225*
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4 - 7:30 p.m.	EXHIBITION & RECEPTION
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Winter Conference Sessions

Tuesday, 1 February

TIMES	SESSION
7 - 8:15 a.m.	WOMEN IN BICSI BREAKFAST AND PRESENTATION Sponsored by "Ain’t No Mountain High Enough" Janet Steinert – Author, Educator, Appalachian Trail Blazer Janet will take you on her journey along the 2185.9-mile Appalachian Trail while inspiring you to conquer your own personal mountains.
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8:30 - 10:45 a.m.	OPENING GENERAL SESSION
	8:30 - 8:45 a.m.	Conference Call to Order and Opening Remarks
	8:45 - 9:45 a.m.	OPENING KEYNOTE "Trends, Technology, and Taking the Lead" Scott Klososky, Technologist, Futurist, Humanist, Author, and Consultant For his entire career, Scott Klososky has grasped how technology can be harnessed to push industry, organizations, and humanity forward into a bright and prosperous future. It is this understanding and a leading-edge vision that inspired Scott to develop an early webcasting media company called webcasts.com, which he sold in 1999 for $US115 million. And it is this vision that led Scott to found Future Point of View, a technology strategy and cybersecurity firm where he guides executives and organizations across the country and the world on how to navigate digital transformation, drive revenue, lower costs, and protect resources from theft and harm. It’s also this vision that has allowed him to travel the globe and deliver numerous keynotes a year to audiences that number in the thousands. Expect a rousing first-person perspective detailing his success in our profession and the insights that can help you, too! As a founding partner of digital strategy firm, Future Point of View (FPOV), Scott speaks to large audiences worldwide about the intersection of humanity and the Digital Transformation. Through FPOV, Scott provides advisory work for clients including Fortune100, SMB’s and government entities. This work has driven him to develop unique concepts such as the HUMALOGY® Scale for measuring the amount of human or machine involved in a system or process, and the Rivers of Information® process for building learning eco-systems. He also pioneered a framework for looking accurately into the future of an industry sector to set organizational strategy: The High Beam process. Scott co-founded Alkami Technology (ALKT), the developer of a second-generation online banking platform with innovative features non-existent in current systems. The company went public in 2021 at a $3 billion valuation and is today headquartered in Dallas with over 350 employees.
	9:45 - 10:45 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION PRESENTATION: ICT Field of Vision “More for Less – The Advancement of Ribbon Fiber Technology” Adam Broughton – Sumitomo Electric Lightwave – Raleigh, North Carolina, USA There are numerous advantages in utilizing pliable ribbon cable constructions. This presentation will discuss those advantages and various configurations for a ribbon-based infrastructure capable of meeting next generation networks.

11 a.m. - Noon	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“How to Design and Install Code Compliant PoE Based Emergency Lighting” Matthew Laherty – Platformatics, Inc. – Bloomington, Indiana, USA Mike Siefer – Platformatics Inc. – Bloomington, Indiana, USA Rick Foster, RCDD – Structured Design Associates – Bloomington, Indiana, USA This presentation will cover the codes and best practices for designing and installing emergency lighting in a PoE system. This presentation will also cover the two primary methods for building emergency systems: Centralized vs. Distributed. Topic: \| Power over Ethernet \|
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	“Doing the Data Dance – Technology Tango 25, 40, 50, 100, 200, 400 Gbps and Beyond” Rodney Casteel, RCDD, DCDC, NTS, OSP – CommScope – Claremont, North Carolina, USA Cindy Montstream, RCDD, NTS – Legrand – New London, Connecticut, USA Manja Thessin, RCDD, RTPM – AFL – Duncan, South Carolina, USA David Hessong – Corning Optical Communications – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Tony Irujo – OFS – Sturbridge, Massachusetts, USA Robert Reid – Panduit Corporation – Tinley Park, Illinois, USA Regardless of the data center type, i.e., Cloud, Edge, MTDC, Private, Public, Corporate, or Hyperscale, there is a single constant: the need for more speed. This thirst for more speed has led to line rates now reaching 400Gbps with 800Gbps in the very near future. To achieve some of these higher speeds new connector and transceiver technologies have emerged. The plethora of options to achieve these higher rates requires careful considerations and migration strategies. Topic: \| Data Center \|
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	“Now More Than Ever, Installation Matters!” Corey Lacaire, RCDD, TECH – Legrand – New London, Connecticut, USA Jason Finnegan – Legrand – New London, Connecticut, USA Jay Grasso – Legrand – New London, Connecticut, USA Kevin Kearney, RCDD, DCDC, NTS – Legrand – Albia, Iowa, USA Amir Sekhavat – Superior Essex – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Because standards are not enforceable by law like codes, there is a growing mindset that “the standards are only guidelines and best practices” that can be implemented when convenient. This panel of industry experts will discuss the implications of some common installation shortcuts on modern applications including PoE, smart building, and high-speed fiber optic systems. By understanding these issues, we can begin to ensure the integrity of the system through proper installation process. Topic: \| ICT Professional Development \|

	“A Whole-System Approach to Sound Masking, Voice Communication and Loudspeaker Technologies” VIRTUAL ONLY Nathan Van Ness – Biamp Systems – Beaverton, Oregon, USA This presentation will be a thorough overview of current best practices when discussing and specifying integrated deployments that include sound masking solutions with voice communication systems and distributed loudspeakers. It will also provide specific insights regarding current and future sound masking, voice communication, and loudspeaker technologies. The presenter will discuss post-COVID19 office acoustics and system-design impacts. Topic: \| Audiovisual \|
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Noon - 6:30 p.m.	EXHIBIT HALL OPEN

1 - 2 p.m.	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“BERT Could Be the Single Most Powerful Cable Test You Need to Hear About Today” Deane Horn – Softing Inc. – Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Check cable specs? Or take your cable for a real-world test drive? Both are powerful. Both are useful. Each has its place. You are about to learn just how powerful a single test can be (BERT), over copper or fiber, as end-to-end proof that your SFPs, connectors, cables, splices, outlets - the entire link - is not just good, but is working, as it's installed, in its environment, to the performance for its intended application. Topic: \| ICT Professional Development \|
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	“Rollable Ribbon Fiber Advantages and Challenges – Ultra-High Density in a Flexible Design” Harley McAllister – Amphenol Network Solutions – Liberty Lake, Washington, USA Craig Ray – Amphenol Network Solutions – Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Don Gross – Amphenol Network Solutions – Raleigh, North Carolina, USA As fiber counts and density requirements continue to grow, with potential for even more demand in the short-and-long term future, rollable ribbon fiber cables have emerged as a viable solution for data centers and other ultra-high-density applications. The space-saving, high-density ribbon design helps users gain required fiber counts in a manageable diameter that fits cable management ducts and raceways. This presentation covers the basics regarding rollable ribbon fiber cables, including typical fiber counts and applications. Topic: \| Data Center \|
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	“Applications on Fiber: How to Guarantee with the New Architectures and the Strict Loss Budgets” VIRTUAL ONLY Gautier Humbert, RCDD – Legrand – Saint Marcellin, France The fiber applications budgets are decreasing. The applications are getting more complex with breakout modes becoming common. Yet standard limits for connectors have not evolved and testing limits can be complicated to comprehend. How can I guarantee that the fiber infrastructure will meet the needs and will ensure the applications? Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|
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	“Single Pair Ethernet – A New Cabling Solution” VIRTUAL ONLY Adnan Ahmed, RCDD, DCDC, RTPM – R&M USA – Milpitas, California, USA Introduction to Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) will include what SPE is aimed to achieve, where it came from, and the current status of work. This presentation contains a timeline into the future as well, showing the expected major milestones. Topic: \| New & Emerging Applications \|
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	“Networked for Wellness: Connecting Smart & Healthy Buildings” VIRTUAL ONLY Kirk Krahn – Leviton – Bloomingdale, Illinois, USA Todd Harpel, RCDD – Berk-Tek, a Leviton Company – New Holland, Pennsylvania, USA Introduction to Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) will include what SPE is aimed to achieve, where it came from, and the current status of work. This presentation contains a timeline into the future as well, showing the expected major milestones. Topic: \| Intelligent Buildings / Smart Cities / Internet of Things \|
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m.	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“Real World, Smart Building Deployments Utilizing a Fiber-to-the-Edge Network” Gayla Arrindell – Corning Optical Communications – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Alan Bertsch – Qypsys – Tampa, Florida, USA Paul Mills – DIRTT – Calgary, Alberta, Canada Fiber-to-the-Edge is enabling smart building owners to achieve a cost effective, future-ready network to support advanced building automation and enhance occupant productivity, safety and wellbeing as well as security and sustainability goals. In this session we will hear from leading industry experts on the value delivered and lessons learned in deploying smart buildings with a fiber to the edge network, including some of their very own. Topic: \| Intelligent Buildings / Smart Cities / Internet of Things \|
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	“Can Microseconds Cost You Millions? Or Worse – Your Reputation!” Nathan Benton, RCDD, DCDC, ESS, NTS, WD – viaPhoton – Wickenburg, Arizona, USA Is network latency the reason I can't win online gaming, or stream quality 4K video content? See what new applications requiring ultra-low latency are being impacted and, surprisingly, those that are not. More importantly, we will see how network operators and financial institutions mitigate the effects of latency through network design, placement of edge data centers, and new developments in fiber optic cabling technologies. Topic: \| Data Centers \|
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	“The Impact of Next-Generation Speeds on Fiber Optic Connectivity” VIRTUAL ONLY James Young, CDCP – CommScope (on behalf of CCCA) – Blue Mountains, Ontario, Canada This presentation discusses various technology advancements that have paved the way to next-generation fiber implementations in the data center, standards-based approaches to 400 Gig, and the impact on fiber connectivity. The presenter will also discuss ongoing developments in optical transceiver technology and applications standards for imminent 800 Gig and future Terabit applications and how they may potentially further impact fiber connectivity in the future. Topic: \| New & Emerging Applications \|
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	“The Wi-Fi 6E Impact to RF Design, Cabling and Power: Every RCDD’s Essentials” VIRTUAL ONLY Jussi Kiviniemi – Hamina Wireless – Helsinki, Finland The new Wi-Fi 6E standard, also known as Wi-Fi on the 6 GHz band, is starting to hit the market. It is called the biggest thing in Wi-Fi in 20 years. It will have an impact to RF design, cabling, power delivery, and troubleshooting, unlike any other Wi-Fi standard. What is the essential real-world impact? How should we prepare? What's the timeline of change? What about best practices? Topic: \| Wireless & Distributed Antenna Systems \|
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4 - 5 p.m.	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“Seizing Opportunity and Achieving Success in the Smart Building Era” Bob Allan – The Siemon Company – Watertown, Connecticut, USA Andy Schonberger – Intelligent Buildings, LLC – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Betsy Conroy – Watertown, Connecticut, USA Matthew Odell, RCDD – S2N Technology Group, LLC – Bethesda, Maryland, USA The global smart building market is growing at an unprecedented rate, projected to increase from $67 billion in 2021 to more than $256 billion by 2028. With low-voltage infrastructure as the foundation of smart buildings, design and deployment of that infrastructure is more important than ever. This expert panel discussion with a moderator is designed to provide ICT design and installation professionals with the strategies they need to seize the opportunity and achieve success. Topic: \| Intelligent Buildings / Smart Cities / Internet of Things \|
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	“Lowering Job-site Costs Associated with Fiber Testing of High-Speed Channels” Robert Reid – Panduit Corporation – Tinley Park, Illinois, USA In-field fiber test methods and field practice have strong impacts on measurement accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility and ultimately the test failure rates associated with field test. This becomes a more pressing problem in the light of "engineered links" that rely on ultra-loss connectivity elements and the need to validate such in the field to manufacturers specifications, thus assuring application performance. Important questions addressed in this presentation are: What is the proper methodology to assure that a customer application(s) will run over the tested cable plant? What is the most capable and accurate measurement methodology for higher speed multimode and single-mode links? What is the industry's best practice to assure that the frequency of measurement errors is minimized, saving time and money? Use cases for testing cable plant supporting higher speed applications are presented along case-studies of field testing where things didn't go so well and best practices for assuring the minimization of test errors. Topic: \| Data Center \|
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	“How Cybersecurity Has Changed Lifecycle Management” Geoffrey Bauer, ESS, PSP, SICC – Axis Communications – Rockford, Illinois, USA With emerging threats and regulations being introduced at a frantic pace, mitigating risk is a steadfast process that requires a defined process to protect and secure devices on your network. While it is understood that connected edge devices are at risk to these vulnerabilities, the impact of cybersecurity practices challenges the traditional beliefs of lifecycle management. This session aims to present a modern approach to lifecycle management and educate attendees on overall cyber best practices. Topic: \| New & Emerging Applications \|
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	“Building an Adaptively Intelligent Physical Layer for Fiber Optic Networks” VIRTUAL ONLY Ed Jack – Go!Foton Corporation – Somerset, New Jersey, USA Jeff Stambovsky – Go!Foton Corporation – Somerset, New Jersey, USA Achieving the gains in throughput, latency, and operating efficiency to meet the needs of both today’s burgeoning traffic and tomorrow’s next-gen applications will necessitate a complete re-imagining of the network’s physical architecture. The non-negotiable requirement: Total fiber visibility at the construction level of both inside and outside plants, supported by out-of-band data collection and real-time reporting and notification, all enhanced by data-driven predictive learning. Topic: \| New & Emerging Applications \|

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.	EXHIBITION & RECEPTION
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Wednesday, 2 February

TIMES	SESSION
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION
	8:30 - 9:15 a.m.	BICSI Annual Business Meeting
	9:15 - 10 a.m.	MIDWEEK KEYNOTE Blake Urmos, Moderator, Founder and host of "Low Voltage Nation" Lee Renfroe, RCDD, ESS, TECH, U.S. Southeast Regional Director -- Owner at GoFroe Betsy Conroy, Chair of BICSI's Professional Development Committee & Founding Member of Women in BICSI Workgroup Get ready for a progressive take on BICSI’s mid-week keynote presentation. Blake Urmos, founder and host of the popular “Low Voltage Nation” podcast, will lead an exchange with two prominent BICSI members regarding their ICT work experiences and career progression. This live-streamed podcast from the conference keynote stage will demonstrate the benefits of working together as “one BICSI” and how we all can learn from others’ experiences. First, Blake will chat with Lee Renfroe, RCDD, ESS, TECH, the U .S. Southeast Regional Director on the BICSI Board of Directors. In 2015, Lee started his own company called GoFroe after winning the BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge Installer of the Year award in 2012 and 2013. He will talk about his experience in the Cabling Skills Challenge and how it impacted his career. He will also discuss how he engaged the BICSI community to help him develop professionally. Additionally, he will share insights on how important it is to become involved in the association as a young and emerging ICT professional by tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience represented in BICSI’s ICT community. Next, Blake will speak with Betsy Conroy, an Expert ICT Wordsmith & Content Consultant. Betsy received the BICSI ICT Woman of the Year Award in 2019 and serves as Chair of BICSI’s Professional Development Committee and is a founding member of the Women in BICSI Workgroup. She will discuss the importance of professional development and will provide insight on building a bridge between ICT generations. For example, she will highlight impactful career enhancing opportunities such as mentoring emerging professionals and students and encouraging women and others to enter and thrive in the ICT industry.
	10 - 10:30 a.m.	BREAK
	10:30 - 11 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION PRESENTATION: ICT Field of Vision – Sponsored by CommScope “The Evolution of the Commercial Building” Jason Bautista – CommScope – Shakopee, Minnesota, USA This presentation will discuss the rise of IoT and OT technology in office spaces, the technology demands of next-generation Wi-Fi, IoT and OT devices and how CAT 6A cabling can deliver a converged network that supports them all. The presentation covers the following topics: IT, IoT and OT - it's not your father's network anymore, how new office technologies change network requirements - speed, reach and power, and converging IT, IoT and OT networks on CAT 6A cabling strategies and architecture.
	11 - 11:30 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION PRESENTATION: ICT Field of Vision – Sponsored by CommScope “De-carbonizing the Building Network: Our Next Big Challenge” Ronna Davis – CommScope – Henderson, Nevada, USA In this thought leadership session, we will lay out the current state and the desired state of network sustainability and the critical steps the industry must take to deliver on the promise of a safe and inhabitable planet for generations to come. This session is for everyone who endeavors to be a responsible steward in our battle to mitigate the climate crisis. Business leaders, Network and ICT Managers, ICT Designers and Installers, Manufacturers and Service Providers, we all have a role in this “Next Big Challenge.”

9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.	EXHIBIT HALL OPEN

11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	LUNCH IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

1 – 2 p.m	CONCURRENT SESSIONS

	“Designing a No-Touch Meeting Room Experience” Mark Pellegrino – Crestron Electronics Inc. – Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tim Gray – Crestron Electronics Inc. – Maitland, Florida, USA Today; sensor, signal, schedule and application data is readily available and well suited to crafting experiences which support safe working environments. Come learn how to tie these disparate resources together to create touchless AV and video conference enabled meeting rooms with no-programming (and no touching) required! Topic: \| Audiovisual \|
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	“Powering Passive Optical Networks” Jerry Hogan – Solara Technical Sales – Spearfish, South Dakota, USA Optical networks, by their very nature, do not conduct electricity. So, how do we power the electronics needed at each end of the network? Both main methods are presented, along with the pros and cons of each. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|
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	“Solving Cellular Coverage Problems: In-Building Cellular Signal System Planning and Execution” Charlie Schulz – Alliance Communications – Wayne, New Jersey, USA This presentation will discuss cellular boosting and present a Step-by-Step Guide on how cellular coverage problems can be identified and solved. When you cannot get coverage it becomes an issue that could be costing you business. It can be a safety issue. This presentation will explain reasons why cellular signals might be poor in buildings, how to identify those and plan and execute the installation of an Inbuilding cellular boosting system from start to finish. Topic: \| Wireless & Distributed Antenna Systems \|
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	“DC Microgrids: Enabling Smarter and More Sustainable Buildings” VIRTUAL ONLY Kim Johnson – Igor – West Des Moines, Iowa, USA Annie Bevan – Superior Essex – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Amy Shen – ARUP – Oakland, California, USA Gone are the days of traditional AC power leading the way in the market; buildings are now turning to sustainable and efficient DC microgrids. Creating an autonomous system with a PoE backbone, DC microgrids provide reliable, secure, and innovative solutions for buildings of the present and the future. Discover how a DC Microgrid can transform the way you power your smart buildings and help meet sustainability goals, all while improving occupant comfort, health, and wellness. Topic: \| Intelligent Buildings / Smart Cities / Internet of Things \|
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m.	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“To Air-Gap or Not to Air-Gap: The Audiovisual Network” Michael Stewart – CMTA, Inc. – Lexington, Kentucky, USA As audiovisual systems continue to leverage the data network, there are ongoing challenges and decisions IT personnel are not accustomed to making. This presentation will go over the basics to arm you with what to discuss with the Owners and End Users before an AV over IP deployment or design. IT administrators and engineers get out of their comfort zone when you mention Multicast, IGMP, SMPTE, JPEG-2000, H.264/H.265, etc. As an industry, we need more alignment with the AV professionals and the IT professionals to maximize AV over IP systems' efficiency, management, and performance. Topic: \| Audiovisual \|
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	“Ahead of the Curve: New High-Density and Dust Insensitive Fiber Optic Connector Technology Innovations” Sean Kelly, RCDD – Light Brigade – York, Pennsylvania, USA Brian Teague – Senko Advanced Components – Columbia, South Carolina, USA This presentation will address the recent advancements in higher density and dust insensitive fiber connectivity. Our industry really hasn’t seen an entirely new connector footprint in the past 20+ years. Multiple new and emerging connector footprints that increase density, streamline topologies, and simplify installation, and maintenance are coming to market. We will also look at new and innovative approaches to dust insensitive multi-fiber connectivity and cleaning and inspection of non-dust insensitive single and multifiber connectivity. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|
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	“The Future of Wireless in Healthcare” Mark Niehus, RCDD – Connectivity Wireless Solutions – Duluth, Georgia, USA Eric Abbott – Connectivity Wireless Solutions – Duluth, Georgia, USA Learn and discuss how the emerging changes in wireless, including new C-band spectrum, 5G, CBRS, and Wi-Fi 6 and 6E will provide opportunities for healthcare providers to capitalize on and drive positive change for patient outcomes. Topic: \| Wireless & Distributed Antenna Systems \|
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	“BERT Could Be the Single Most Powerful Cable Test You Need to Hear About Today” VIRTUAL ONLY Deane Horn – Softing Inc. – Knoxville, Tennessee, USA Check cable specs? Or take your cable for a real-world test drive? Both are powerful. Both are useful. Each has its place. You are about to learn just how powerful a single test can be (BERT), over copper or fiber, as end-to-end proof that your SFPs, connectors, cables, splices, outlets - the entire link - is not just good, but is working, as it's installed, in its environment, to the performance for its intended application. Topic: \| ICT Professional Development \|
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4 - 5 p.m.	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	“Integrated and Agnostic Approach to AV Design” Dave Seiling, RCDD, PE, CTS, PSP – Salas O’Brien – Chicago, Illinois, USA The AV systems are trending towards standards compliant network-based systems. There are options for turnkey applications from single manufacturers using proprietary communications. There are also standards-based products that allow components to be endpoints on the network, no different than a computer. This presentation will provide attendees the insight to what the standards are, where they came from, and where they are going. Topic: \| Audiovisual \|
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	“If You Thought Ribbon Was for Data Centers Only – Think Again!” Lucas Mays – AFL – Duncan, South Carolina, USA In today's world of technology, I don't have to elaborate on the need for more data. A simple google search and every source out there confirms this fact. With this trend, the need for quick, easy, and scalable network installations is obvious. Which begs the question, "Why are we still using single fiber solutions?" With the rise in popularity of collapsible ribbon cables; higher density, lighter weight, and more fibers per sq. inch, are all possible with ribbon technology. This ribbon technology, combined with today's cable management, patch panel solutions, and fiber equipment developments makes mass fusion the most efficient splicing method required in this era of networks. When you can design around a ribbon architecture, installations and repairs are finished much more quickly and therefore far less costly. Topic: \| Optical Fiber & PON \|
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	“Wireless First” Brian Davis, RCDD – Corning Optical Communications – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA This session will look at new design methodologies, use cases of successful “universal wireless” implementation, capabilities of upcoming wireless technologies, and the associated implications on physical infrastructure. Topic: \| Wireless & Distributed Antenna Systems \|
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	“Everything You Need to Know About MPO Links Testing Best Practices” VIRTUAL ONLY Guillaume Lavallee – EXFO – Quebec, Quebec, Canada Working with MPO-terminated cabling systems brings forth challenges for many technicians. This presentation will cover the best practices for handling, inspecting, and cleaning of MPO connector endfaces and highlights the consequences of damaged or dirty multifiber connectors. It will also cover Tier-1 certification of MPO links. Topic: \| Data Center \|
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6 - 7 p.m.	AWARDS BANQUET COCKTAIL RECEPTION
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7 - 10 p.m.	ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

Thursday, 3 February

TIMES	SESSION
8 - 10 a.m.	VIRTUAL EXHIBIT HALL OPEN
9 - 11 a.m.	CLOSING GENERAL SESSION
	9 - 9:30 a.m.	GENERAL SESSION PRESENTATION: ICT Field of Vision – Sponsored by Corning Optical Communications “Giving Sustainability the Green Light: Planning for Eco-friendly Smart Building Technologies and Deployments” Brian Davis, RCDD – Corning Optical Communications – Charlotte, North Carolina, USA With buildings representing 40% of the global energy consumption and 33% of greenhouse gas emissions, companies must transform their facilities into energy-efficient smart buildings to attain sustainability and regulatory targets. This session will demonstrate how a fiber to the edge network can help to cost-effectively reduce both the embodied and operational carbon of a building, thereby reducing its overall net carbon footprint while enabling a future-ready architecture that can support generations of smart building technologies.
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9:30 - 10:30 a.m.	CLOSING KEYNOTE "Pushing the Envelope" COL. NICOLE MALACHOWSKI, USAF (RET.) First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, Combat Veteran, Fighter Squadron Commander, White House Fellow & Adviser, and Indomitable Spirit Colonel Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) was born in Santa Maria, CA and graduated high school in Las Vegas, NV. She and her husband Paul have twin children, son Garrick and daughter Norah. Paul is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former F-15E Evaluator Weapons Systems Officer. Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.) is a leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Nicole’s distinguished 21-year Air Force career exceeded her wildest dreams. But the dream came to an end when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling greatly to speak or walk for almost nine months. Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed. Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day. She urges them to go beyond resilience and become resurgent. Nicole’s empowers people with three key beliefs: failure and risk is the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra – “Nobody wants to lead a scripted life.” This will be a closing keynote that attendees from all backgrounds will appreciate.

10:30 - 10:45 a.m.	BICSI Cares Presentation and Door Prize Drawing

10:45 - 11 a.m.	Conference Wrap-up
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