FEATURE
OFFSHORE ENERGY INITIATIVES AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN CABLE PRODUCTS, PROCESSES, AND APPLICATIONS FEATURED DURING IWCS’S 71ST ANNUAL FORUM BY DAVID B. KIDDOO AND REBECCA DIPPEL EVENT OVERVIEW
IWCS welcomed attendees to the 71st annual Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum, the premier event for new technologies in cable and connectivity products, processes, and applications, in Providence Rhode Island on October 10–13, 2022. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the event was conducted virtually in 2020 and 2021, but the high attendance and energetic networking in Providence illustrated the industry’s excitement for the ability to finally network again in-person. More than 860 guests representing 23 countries gathered at the Rhode Island Convention Center for four full days of networking and learning. Attendees shared and absorbed cutting-edge research, technologies, and products that are helping our industry advance nearly all aspects of our connected global society. As IWCS CEO David Kiddoo exclaimed during his welcome remarks, “The cable & connectivity industry is mission-critical to the future of our connected society”. Similar sentiments about the importance of our industry were echoed by James Filice during Thursday’s panel discussion, “The industry is small and well-connected with vast opportunities”, said Filice. “We get to see the impact of our work on a daily basis throughout the world.”
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES
The event kicked off on Monday with seven Professional Development Courses on the topics of cable materials, optical fiber, copper cable, and extrusion processes. The courses were well-attended by students, engineers, scientists, and other industry professionals who wrote copious notes and asked engaging questions of the instructors from industry-leading organizations such as Nexans, LyondellBasell, Corning, Dow, The Chemours Company, De Montfort University, and Wire & Cable Technology Resources. Standard core courses and annually-rotating elective courses provide introductory topical information geared towards individuals who are new to the industry, or those who seek a refresher.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Tuesday’s Executive Session, a perennial highlight, was so popular the ballroom quickly became standing-room-only and additional chairs had to be added to accommodate all the attendees. John Gross of The Copper Journal provided an overview of the copper demand and legal, social, and environmental factors impacting the copper cable market. Switching gears, Michael Render of The Fiber Broadband Association took the stage to present a five-year outlook on fiber optic broadband deployment and