WIRE NEWS 2016 November 2016 | Page 10

IWCS 2016 Explores Innovative New Technologies IWCS, producer of the International Cable & Connectivity Symposium, the premier venue for new technologies in cable and connectivity products, processes and applications, welcomed attendees to the 65th annual conference in Providence, Rhode Island, on October 2 through 5, 2016. The topics for IWCS 2016 included the Internet of Things (IoT), Power over Communications Cables, Global FTTX & Installation, Materials for Cable & Connectivity Applications, Fiber Optic Connectors for Harsh Environments, Copper Cable Performance & Design, and more. “This conference gives attendees a unique opportunity to gain insight from top engineers, researchers and executives from the cabling and connectivity industry,” mentioned David B. Kiddoo, CEO of IWCS. “The quality of the papers was excellent and the overall popularity of the topics, including the enhanced connectivity focus, generated a high level of global interest in this year’s program.” A formal announcement of a collaboration between IWCS and UL to produce a regional conference in Shanghai, China next year was made at the plenary session. Robert Wessels, Jr. of CommScope and chairman of IWCS, signed the collaboration agreement with L.F. Lai, VP and general manager of UL’s Wire and Cable division. The new event, called UL and IWCS China 2017 Cable & Connectivity Symposium will be held April 25-27, 2017 at the Marriott Shanghai City Centre and will be based on the IWCS conference format of a technical symposium, plenary session with keynote speaker, executive track, and a professional development program. Simultaneous translations will be provided for each presentation. Selection of presentations will be made with a Call for Papers and peer review. The executive session and the technical symposium offered a high caliber program containing 99 technical papers and presentations in 16 sessions that attracted presenters and attendees from across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. The conference also included 22 poster papers, 11 new product presentations, 7 professional development courses led by industry experts, and a 2 day supplier exhibition. Attendees came from 25 countries, spanning 6 continents, with 31% from outside the USA. Attendees from Europe accounted for 13%, while 14% came from Asia. 11% of the Attendees were from Japan and China. Overall attendance increased 24% over the prior year. WN November 2016 “This is our 65th year of the global symposium conducted in the United States and we are 10