The 2014 International Lineman's Rodeo and Expo Deemed A Success on All Fronts

KANSAS CITY, Kan., Nov. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Managed by Penton, the 31^st annual Lineman's Rodeo, held in October in Kansas, saw the largest attendance and number of exhibitors in the history of the event.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141121/160269

The International Lineman's Rodeo Association's Co-Chairman and Founder Dale Warman, said of the event: "Our success is based on our volunteers, including the Board, Committees, Judges, Staff, and all the people who give of their time and talent for the ultimate outcome – to ensure the Linemen and families have a great time. The relationships that have grown through the years are the foundation of the event. One of the largest and most important of those is that with Penton, who not only handles the Expo but is involved with all aspects of the event…Penton manages to exceed our expectations every year. We are a TEAM."

In addition to a record breaking number of exhibitors that packed the sold out exhibit hall, the Rodeo also boasted impressive participation in the new outdoor exhibits area in Bonner Springs, KS on the grounds of the Rodeo competition.

It also increased its event attendance by 14%.

This year's international participation included attendees from Canada, Turks & Caicos, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

Doing it Better – The Expo
The show floor featured over 120 exhibiting companies, of which just over 28 were first time exhibitors. Attendees wait close to an hour in line for the Expo to open it is their annual opportunity to view a virtual supermarket of tools and technology that could make their job's safer and more efficient. For news coverage of the Expo (show floor) visit – http://tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations/international-expo-unveils-new-tools-and-technology-linemen#slide-0-field_images-57681. New for 2014, 16 exhibitors signed on to exhibit on the Rodeo grounds. These new outdoor exhibits were well received and will return in 2015.

Safety, Safety, Safety – The Conference
The annual Safety Conference was jammed packed once again to hear from a variety of speakers on technical tips and regulatory issues that impact lineman every day.  Real life stories shared by technicians, linemen and family members emotionally brought home the importance of safety. The conference has grown over the years to become one of the highlights of the event.

A Little Friendly Competition – The Rodeo
The highlight of the event is always the day of competition. Over 200 teams and 250 apprentices gear up for a full day of determining the best of the best. This is best described as a family affair, as linemen and their extended families brave the frigid morning air and a grueling circuit of planned and mystery competitive events.

For a complete list of winners from the 2014 event please visit the results page - https://www.linemansrodeokc.com/?page_id=34.

"As impressive as our 2014 statistics are, they don't fully convey the degree of success this event achieves," stated Florence Torres, Group Show Director, Penton. "As a newcomer to the event, I am astounded by the passion that drives this group. It is this passion and pride in what they do that comes through in every facet of the event – exhibits, networking, conference, rodeo competition. I'm glad to be a new member of the team that works tirelessly to put this together each year for such a genuinely wonderful group of individuals."

The event photo gallery nicely captures the various aspects of the Rodeo competition: http://tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations/sights-rodeo-grounds-2014-international-linemans-competition#slide-0-field_images-57651

The planning for next year's event has already begun – clearly the right partners and team are in place to lay the foundation for an increasingly successful 2015 Rodeo & Expo and we look forward to delivering it.

Details may be found at https://www.linemansrodeokc.com/.

ABOUT LINEMAN'S RODEO ASSOCIATION
Thirty years ago, in 1984, a very small group of individuals including Tom White, the President of TWSCO, a linework materials vendor, Dale Warman, a supervisor for Kansas City Power and Light, and Charlie Young, a supervisor for Southwest Line Construction organized the first ever National Lineman's rodeo. The primary purposes of the event then as now was to help maintain a focus on safety and safe work practices, to provide a forum for the public to better understand and recognize the technical craft skills the linemen have, and to provide an opportunity for the professionals craftspeople in the linework trade to receive recognition for their skills. The Association is organized for the purpose of engaging in charitable, educational, and other nonprofit lawful activities, including, without limitation, teaching safety in and around electrical wiring, encouraging and building cost reducing efficiency and proficiency in the work environment, building relationships of trust and teaching teamwork techniques, and sharing ideas to bring innovation to industry generally (including the electrical power distribution industry). The foregoing purposes are achieved through, among other things, regular publications and the operation and organization of the International Lineman's Rodeo (the "Rodeo"), an annual event at which various presentations and contests are conducted. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors to sponsor and administer the Rodeo.

ABOUT LINEMAN RODEO AND T&D WORLD
The International Lineman's Rodeo & Expo provides a forum for the public to better understand and recognize the technical craft skills that linemen have and to provide an opportunity for professionals in the linework trade to receive recognition for their skills.  Transmission & Distribution World supports the event. The magazine is edited for engineers and operating professionals in the electric power industry and features articles written by technical editors and industry professionals in the user and manufacturer groups.

PENTON
Penton drives performance for more than sixteen million professionals each and every day. They rely on us to deliver: Insights, information & workflow tools to inform critical business decisions; networking & community to engage them with industry peers & partners; and data & marketing services to advance their business performance & deliver ROI.

Penton is a growth company with a track-record of strong performance and success and is backed by its co-owners: MidOcean Partners and U.S. Equity Partners II, an investment fund sponsored by Wasserstein & Co., LP.

For additional information on the company and its businesses, visit www.penton.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kim Good
Sr. Marketing & Events Manager
Penton Electrical, Energy and Mechanical Systems
913-967-1865
[email protected]

SOURCE Penton

Related Links

http://www.penton.com