USITT will keep its online registration process for the 2009 Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio open until March 6. Online registration is available at www.usitt.org/cincy.

Those who decide to attend the Annual Conference & Stage Expo after the March 6 deadline may still register starting at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 18 in the lobby of the Duke Energy Convention Center in Downtown Cincinnati.

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When USITT kicks off its 50th Annual Conference & Stage Expo in 2010, Wednesday will be the start of both the Conference and of Stage Expo. Opening both events on Wednesday will create even greater synergies for those attending and exhibiting during the anniversary event.

Because of its early start, Stage Expo will close on Friday afternoon, April 2 instead of the traditional Saturday conclusion.

Blockbuster programming and special events are already being planned for USITT's 50th gala which will open in Kansas City on Wednesday, March 31.

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The Joint Training Initiative of the ESTA Foundation and USITT announces a new course, Fall Protection and Rescue System Requirements and Methods, to be taught in Bowie, Maryland.

There will be two opportunities to take this two-day course beginning the week of April 6. The first session will be held on April 6 and 7 and the second session will be held on April 8 and 9. Courses will combine both classroom and practical exercises and are designed for intermediate to advanced riggers. Topics covered will include OSHA and industry requirements, appropriate use and limitations of various systems, and useful climbing and rescue skills.

Sessions will be held at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts, and will be conducted by Morgan Neff of Mine Safety Appliances (MSA), a Fall Protection and Rescue Trainer, and Rocky Paulson, an ETCP Certified Rigger and ETCP Recognized Trainer.

These sessions are limited in size. Registrations will be on a first come basis. Discounts are available to ESTA, USITT and IATSE members. Sessions will be hosted and co-produced by The Bowie Center for the Performing Arts and the USITT Chesapeake Regional Section.

Attendees should have prior rigging experience and at least a general familiarity with working at heights, safety harnesses, fall arrest devices, and basic first aide. In addition, they must provide their own safety gear including harness, hard hat and safety shoes.

Course descriptions, fees and the registration form are available here.

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The Long Reach Long Riders and the ESTA Foundation announce their annual raffle to benefit Behind the Scenes at the USITT Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio, on March 21at the Behind the Scenes booth (#1321). Tickets, which are $5 each or five for $20, may be purchased at the booth throughout the show.

Twelve prizes have been donated by: Altman Rentals (ghostlight), Barbizon ($250 gift certificate), Field Template (SoftSymbols and Field Templates), Le Maitre Special Effects (Radiance Hazer), Live Design (Broadway Master Class), Nolan Engineering Services (seminar by Shawn Nolan), Sapsis Rigging (safety seminar by Bill Sapsis), USITT (2010 Conference registration), Utah Shakespearean Festival (three pair of theatre tickets), Vectorworks (spotlight with Renderworks), and Vincent Lighting Systems ($250 gift certificate). Special thanks to USITT for making the Riders' presence possible.

In addition, Sapsis Rigging has stepped forward as a challenge grantor. The grant provides the opportunity for donors to double their contributions, while providing help to colleagues in a time of need.

Behind the Scenes has a limited number of challenge grants still available for $2,500. The Challenge Grant Program gives companies or individuals the opportunity to show support for their peers in the industry while providing a unique opportunity to be recognized as a leading supporter of this worthy cause.

All proceeds go directly to the ESTA Foundation's Behind the Scenes program, which provides entertainment technology industry members with grants for emergency situations, such as serious illness, injury or death. For more information about Behind the Scenes, to donate, or to apply for a grant, visit www.estafoundation.org/bts.htm. For more information about the Long Reach Long Riders, visit www.lrlr.org.

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ANSI E1.11 - 2008, Entertainment Technology - USITT DMX512-A, Asynchronous Serial Digital Data Transmission Standard for Controlling Lighting Equipment and Accessories is now available for purchase from the ESTA Foundation at www.estafoundation.org/pubs.htm. The list price is $40; member and quantity discounts are available.

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Disney Theatrical Productions has accepted a seat on the Entertainment Technician Certification Program (ETCP) Council. The Council is the governing body which manages the development and implementation of ETCP, the industry-wide certification program for entertainment technicians.

Canara Price, senior safety manager, physical production will represent Disney Theatrical Productions on the Council. Her colleagues John Tiggeloven, vice president of physical production – Disney Theatrical Productions; Joseph Mannetta, director of loss prevention and business continuity, corporate risk management; and Mark Elliot, director of safety, corporate risk management, will assist her.

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Leigh Spencer Brown, an MFA candidate at University of Tennessee in Knoxville, will receive this year's Student International Travel Award. The award winner was announced by USITT's International Committee.

Funded by the Scripps International Fund, this award is offered in alternate years with the Member International Travel Award. Ms. Brown plans to attend the World Stage Design Exhibit and OISTAT World Congress meetings in Korea in September 2009.

She will participate in workshops with Henk van der Geest, noted lighting designer from the Netherlands and head of the OISTAT Lighting Design Working Group. In addition, while in Korea, she will continue to pursue her ongoing project of creating an Opera Design Database with information about opera designers and companies, as well as production managers, artistic directors, and directors – those who do the hiring and are in the position of helping and mentoring young designers and technicians.

The award will be presented at the 2009 Annual Conference & Stage Expo in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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The WSD 2009 team has extended the deadline for online registration. The final date for online application is now April 15, 2009. Please visit the WSD2009 website at http://www.wsd2009.kr for an up-to-date calendar. Questions should be directed to master@wsd2009.kr.

Organizers say that due to an overwhelming amount of incoming registration as the original deadline approached, some applicants had difficulties in using the online application system. The WSD 2009 team issued an apology for that inconvenience and thanked those trying to register for their patience. They note they are receiving entries from designers from all over the world.

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