Inaugural New World Rigging Symposium Exceeds ExpectationsThe inaugural New World Rigging Symposium, held March 13 - 14 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, brought professionals from around the world together for two days of informative and often passionate presentations, questions and answers, and socializing. While most of those present were from the US, attendees also came from Canada, Australia, Germany, Japan, and China. Joining riggers were engineers, health and safety professionals, venue managers, educators, and manufacturers. The panels covered topics such as cruise ships, automation, engineering, risk assessment, standards, and ground support rigs. Highlights included Scott Fisher's keynote address describing his early days in the industry and how the Navigator System was developed and Tony Galuppi's impassioned plea for "safety first" who described conducting a risk assessment for hanging Criss Angel over a lake in Florida teeming with alligators. The "Hot Button Issues" session included some lively debate focused on gear, about how to get employers to say "yes" to safety, and particularly pointed remarks from women about wanting to be treated as fellow professionals. Comments received from attendees included: * "Sitting in the room and hearing the talk, discussion, and questions -- priceless" * "The symposium was outstanding because of the strong engagement of a knowledgeable audience" * "The quality of speakers was first notch, as were the moderators" * "I think you got it right" When attendees were asked during the closing session if there should be another Symposium, there was a near universal raising of hands. Eddie Raymond, Bill Sapsis, ESTA, and USITT are already discussing next year's event, March 19 - 20, in Louisville, Kentucky. Special thanks to the event sponsors: Platinum -- Stage Rigging; Gold -- ETC and J.R. Clancy; Silver -- Kish Rigging; Bronze -- H & H Specialties, The Light Source, Motion Labs, and Sapsis Rigging; and AV -- PSAV. 
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