Rose Brand and IATSE Local One Pair Up Again for Annual Rigging and Products Seminar

	Participants were hands-on in the anjual Rose Brand and Local One Rigging and Products Seminar.

The Fourth Annual Rigging and Products Seminar was well received by attendees who gave positive reviews at the end of the day-long training seminar.

Born from the relationship between Rose Brand and IATSE Local One, the duo's annual Rigging and Products Seminar took place on Monday, July 20. Tom Coulouris, senior project manager at Rose Brand explains that the seminar started as "a way to better prepare union employees for their jobs. Rose Brand sells the newest equipment and products with the highest standards, but it's important that we train people on how to properly use them."

Participants engaged in hands-on work with products in two seminar sessions, "Curtain Track" and "Chain Hoists and Rigging Hardware." First-time attendee Esteban Osorio said he uses curtain track often and finds it important to fully understand the equipment that he works with frequently. He described the day as fun and said he enjoyed the hands-on aspect. Osorio is a member of Local One and works with the American Ballet Theatre. Hands-on experience is the biggest request Rose Brand heard from previous seminars. To accommodate the request, this year's seminar maximized the time participants had to work with the materials.

Jim Claffey, president of Local One, stopped by during the course of the training day. During a brief speech to the attendees he mentioned how special he considers the relationship between Rose Brand and Local One. He called George Jacobstein, president of Rose Brand, and his staff, "truly great friends and like family to the local." Rose Brand and Local One plan on continuing their partnership and the next seminar is expected to happen in summer 2016.

To view photos of the 2015 event, visit http://bit.ly/2015LocalOne. Demos of products were carried out by Mark O'Brien, director of technical services at Rose Brand; Tom Sullivan, senior project manager at Rose Brand; Dave Carmack, trainer for entertainment at CM Entertainment Technology; and Jennifer O'Leary, business development specialist for entertainment at CM Entertainment Technology.

Past sessions have included Fire Curtains, Rigging Practices, Personal Protective Equipment, and New England Ropes.

While Local One is the primary sponsor from IATSE, the seminar was open to IATSE members from all Locals.

Participating organizations included: Local One, Local 11, Local 21, Local 340, Hudson Scenic, PRG Technologies, and SUNY Purchase College.