The annual TOMCAT U, a five-day schedule of truss and rigging training courses, is slated to be held this upcoming January in person at the company’s U.S. west coast offices in Thousand Oaks, CA. The courses, which provide ETCP renewal credits, include:
Day 1, Monday, January 23 (2023) — Aluminum Structures in the Entertainment Industry, taught by Adrian Forbes-Black (vice president of TOMCAT USA) and Keith Bohn (business development director of TOMCAT USA) who together have over 50 years of experience in the entertainment technology industry. They will address the fundamentals of aluminum truss design and use, how to correctly read manufacturer’s supplied load tables, how to perform and document truss inspection, and more.
Day 2, Tuesday, January 24 — Engineering of Structures in the Entertainment Industry, taught by Jeff Reder, principal and partner of Clark-Reder Engineering, a consulting engineering firm specializing in the entertainment industry with licenses to practice in all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the District of Columbia, Alberta Canada, British Columbia, Manitoba Canada, Ontario Canada and Saskatchewan Canada. Reder will provide an explanation of the structural engineering process behind standard truss products all the way to the most complex and large-scale show specific outdoor systems, a detailed explanation of relevant ANSI Entertainment Technology standards relating to truss and outdoor support systems, a detailed analysis of the complexities and peculiarities relating to the design, engineering and operation of outdoor support systems, automated rigging, personnel flying, etc., and more.
Day 3, Wednesday, January 25 through Friday, January 27 — Entertainment Rigging Principals, taught by Bill Sapsis, president of Sapsis Rigging, who began his entertainment industry rigging career in 1972 and is an ETCP Recognized Trainer, ETCP Certified Rigger (Arena and Theatre), ETCP Council Member and is also currently Chair of the ESTA Technical Standards Programs’ Rigging Working Group. Over the course of three days, utilizing a TOMCAT ground support system, he will instruct in the fundamentals of entertainment rigging principals, terms, hardware, safety and rigging math. The class will also include instruction on fall protection systems and components, as well as provide guidance on rescue procedures with simulated scenarios demonstrated on-site.
Another highlight is that immediately after the end of class on Monday, attendees will be invited to travel the short distance to the local Karting Raceway for the TOMCAT Karting Grand Prix. Dinner will be provided for all attendees and prizes will be awarded to the fastest racers of the evening.
Go here for more information on TOMCAT U and to register.
