BICSI and Concert Technologies Enter Into Marketing Agreement for the BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge and Cabling Icon Contests

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Concert Technologies, the leading global technology rollout company, has announced a marketing agreement with BICSI, the association supporting the information technology systems (ITS) industry with information, education and knowledge assessment. In conjunction with this agreement, Concert Technologies has developed Cabling Icon, the ITS industry’s first social media-based, interactive contest to find the world’s best ITS Installer/Technician.

“We are excited to have BICSI working with us for the Cabling Icon contest for many reasons”

BICSI brings important educational and training aspects to the 2^nd season Cabling Icon contest. The 2^nd season Cabling Icon may apply to participate in the sixth annual BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge, which will be held at the BICSI 2013 Winter Conference & Exhibition in Tampa, Fla., January 20-24. The BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge is an exciting, multi-day event in which competitors race against the clock and each other in several fast-paced events, such as Fiber Termination, Cable Assembly and SCS Installation, in an effort to be crowned Installer of the Year and win $5,000. If the winner of Cabling Icon is selected to participate in the BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge, in addition to the Cabling Icon prize package, Concert Technologies will also provide the following to the 2^nd season Cabling Icon:

• Paid travel to Tampa, Fla., for the 2013 BICSI Winter Conference & Exhibition
• Complimentary conference registration
• Hotel accommodations and meals during the conference
• Wages for the 40-hour work week while they are attending the conference

“I am very pleased to see that Concert Technologies is once again demonstrating the value and impact that having properly trained and certified ITS Installers and Technicians can have on our industry. The Cabling Icon event has created a unique blend of real world and social media competition that allows competitors to demonstrate their technical knowledge and skills first hand in an exciting and self directed format that any self motivated ITS professional can compete in.

“After following the competition closely last season I could not help but be reminded of the incredible amount of talented and professional individuals we have representing the ITS industry to our customers. I am excitedly looking forward to the first round of this 2^nd season’s upcoming competition as I have become a fan myself. As an added incentive for the competitors again this year, we are proud to partner up with Concert Technologies by offering an additional opportunity to this season’s cabling icon winner by providing a pre-qualified spot to compete against regional and district champions in the annual BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge and the opportunity to be crowned with the globally recognized ‘BICSI Installer of the Year’ title.”

David M. Richards, RCDD, NTS, OSP, ITS Technician - Chair and Head Judge of the annual BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge

If the 2^nd season Cabling Icon does not meet the BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge requirement of holding either a BICSI ITS Installer or Technician credential, BICSI will award the winner with a scholarship seat to a BICSI ITS Cabling Installation Program course. Should the individual pass the associated exam and become credentialed by BICSI, the 2^nd season Cabling Icon will have the opportunity to qualify as an applicant for the 2013 BICSI Cabling Skills Challenge.

“We are excited to have BICSI working with us for the Cabling Icon contest for many reasons,” said Dennis Mazaris, RCDD, RTPM, President of Concert Technologies and creator of Cabling Icon. “To be able to have BICSI provide an educational scholarship to the 2^nd season Cabling Icon opens doors to that individual’s career path beyond the cash prizes offered.”

The 2^nd season Cabling Icon prize package, provided by Concert Technologies, includes:

• Growing jackpot of at least $5,000
• The coveted “Golden Punch Down Award”
• Embroidered Season 2 Cabling Icon leather vest
• Bragging rights and the worldwide recognition of the 2^nd season Cabling Icon title

Visit www.cablingicon.com for contest rules and instructions on how to enter the 2^nd season Cabling Icon contest. Contestants and audience members can interact by liking Cabling Icon on Facebook, viewing video entries on YouTube or joining the discussion with #CablingIcon on Twitter.

About BICSI

BICSI is a professional association supporting the information technology systems (ITS) industry. ITS covers the spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, and audio & video technologies. It encompasses the design, integration and installation of pathways, spaces, fiber- and copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among communications and information gathering devices.

BICSI provides information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies in the ITS industry. We serve more than 23,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems. Through courses, conferences, publications and professional registration programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ITS professionals in delivering critical products and services, and offer opportunities for continual improvement and enhanced professional stature.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, USA, BICSI membership spans nearly 100 countries. For more information, visit www.bicsi.org.

About Cabling Icon

Cabling Icon was developed by the Concert Technologies team as the industry's first entirely interactive contest to find the world's best Information Technology Systems (ITS) Installer or Technician. The goal of the competition is to increase awareness of the ITS industry, camaraderie among installers/technicians and increase the opportunity for education and career advancement in the ITS industry. www.cablingicon.com