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BICSI, the association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry with information, education and knowledge assessment, hosted its 2008 BICSI Spring Conference April 27-30 and had the 2,100 registered attendees and exhibitors singing for joy.

Jessie Spearman, BICSI ITS technician, with Vision Technologies Inc. in Glen Burnie, Md., won the first-ever BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge. "I am very excited to be able to say that I am the BICSI Installer of the Year," Spearman said. "The $5,000 check that comes with it isn't bad either." The three-day event featured 23 ITS installers and technicians testing their skills and knowledge in various cabling challenges.

BICSI credentialing exams taken during the conference resulted in 10 new registered communications distribution designers (RCDD), along with two network transport systems (NTS) specialists, two outside plant (OSP) specialists, and one new wireless design (WD) specialist.

In the spirit of Nashville's reputation as Music City, USA, general session attendees were greeted by rising country star Kacey Musgraves. Her live performance mixed songs from her debut album, and included one she performed as a contestant on the 5th season of "Nashville Star," the country music version of "American Idol."

Key announcements from the association included upcoming BICSI manual releases for the Information Transport Systems Installation Methods Manual, 6th edition, and the Wireless Design Reference Manual, 3rd edition. Jerry Bowman, RCDD/NTS Specialist, U.S. North-Central Region Director, delivered important updates on the BICSI NxtGEN credentialing program.