Total Structures Hosts Outdoor Structure Workshop and Rigging Training

Total Structures will host an outdoor structure workshop and rigging training from 8:30AM - 5:00PM, Monday, November 18 - Thursday, November 21. The training will take place at MEET Las Vegas at 233 South 4th Street in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Timed to coincide with the LDI exhibition that starts later the same week, the workshop will include two related training subjects, both ETCP-certified and accredited and available individually as two-day classes or combined into one complete four day workshop at a discounted cost. The event will commence on Monday, November 18, with a two-day entertainment rigging class followed by a two-day outdoor structure and truss workshop on Wednesday and Thursday.

Both sections of the workshop, the rigging class, and the structure class, are ETCP-approved training programs and will therefore provide qualified attendees with renewal credits toward their rigging qualification renewal. Attending the rigging class will provide 14 ETCP renewal credits, with the structure class providing an additional 13 credits. Attendees that participate in both will receive the combined amount of 27 credits.

"The Entertainment Rigging" class will be taught by Ethan Gilson, a graduate of Emerson College (BFA, Performing Arts) and an ETCP-Certified Rigger (Arena & Theatre) since its inception in 2005. In addition to being the staff rigger at ALPS, Gilson is an ETCP-Recognized Trainer, has spoken at the USITT and LDI conferences, and has taught entertainment rigging throughout the country to a variety of industry individuals, businesses, and labor organizations. Gilson is a voting member of the PLASA Technical Standards Rigging Working Group, where he currently chairs the E1.39 Task Group, which is charged with creating the first standard recommending proper fall arrest use within the entertainment industry. Over the years, the range of venues Ethan has worked in include theatres, ballrooms, convention centers, arenas, Las Vegas hotels, and outdoor festivals.

The two-day class covers OSHA law, rigging hardware, rigging math, and more. This class is ideally combined with the following Total Structures outdoor structure and truss class, creating one of the most comprehensive educational classes offered in the entertainment rigging industry.

"Outdoor Structure Engineering Principles and E1.21 Review and Compliance" on Wednesday, November 20, will be taught by Jeff Reder, principal and partner in Clark-Reder Engineering, a full service consulting engineering firm based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Reder and his business partner, Daniel Clark, presently hold licenses in 44 US states and are highly experienced in the design and use of both aluminum and steel outdoor stage roof and ground support systems.

Throughout the course of the day, Reder will explain the process of structurally engineering a temporary outdoor structure, provide guidance on how to read such reports, and help attendees develop and perfect important operational documentation such as operating manuals, high wind speed action plans, etc. Focus will also be brought on explaining relevant standards such as ANSI E1.2 - 2012 Entertainment Technology - Design, Manufacture And Use of Aluminum Trusses and Towers and ANSI E1.21 - 2006 Temporary Ground Supported Overhead Structures Used to Cover Stage Areas and Support Equipment in the Production of Entertainment Events. E1.21 will be updated in the very near future to cover nearly all outdoor structures used in the production industry (not just roof systems).

"Truss and Structure Design and Inspection Principles," on Thursday November 21, will be taught by Adrian Forbes-Black, vice president of Total Structures. Forbes-Black has more than 20 years of entertainment rigging industry experience in both the United States and Europe, having worked for companies such as Tomcat and Columbus McKinnon before relocating to California nearly eight years ago to work for Total Structures.

Forbes-Black, assisted by Reder and Gilson, will teach the fundamentals of aluminum truss design and use, as well as how to visually inspect the product and document the inspection for continued safe use and good record keeping practice.

Attendees who sign up and pay on or before October 31 will receive a discount. "Entertainment Rigging Training" is $395 before early signup ends, $445 if paid afterward. The "Outdoor Structure and Truss Workshop" costs $445 during early signup and $495 afterward. The full workshop for all four days costs $795 during early signup and $895 afterward.

Sessions will run from 8:30AM - 5:00PM each day and include a daily lunch break. Lunch will not be included. However, there are a number of restaurants within walking distance of the venue. A continental breakfast and afternoon snacks will be included along with unlimited coffee, tea, water, and soda throughout the day. All costs include all course materials.