Rechercher CITT/ICTS

CITT Trade Show in the Citadel's Shoctor lobby. Photo: David Schuster

Ottawa (ON) - Once again, the CITT/ICTS Annual Conference and Trade Show have proven to be Canada's one of its kind national meeting place for the live performance industry. Over 200 professionals from as far East as St. John's Newfoundland to as further Northwest as Whitehorse Yukon convene for CITT’s annual event held at the Citadel Theatre, in the heart of Edmonton’s arts and cultural district. Maybe it was the nice August weather, or the convivial atmosphere at the Citadel, or the President’s welcome speech at the Newcomers’ meet and greet reception that set the tone to CITT’s yearly eclectic 3-day happening, but there was definitely a bubbly buzz throughout the weekend…

This year's workshops and sessions programming was rich in diversity and included a board spectrum of topics such as Basic Metal Work, Guns for Film and Stage, Moving Lights Core Concepts, Performer Flying for the Stage, Projected Media in Small Theatre, Roadhouse Roundtable, Safe Stages, Skills Assessment for Entertainment Riggers and Stage Technicians, Sound System Design, Optimisation and Verification, The History of Stage Machinery,  Upholstery for the Theatre and VectorWorks Tips, to name a few.

The CITT/ICTS 19th Annual Trade Show showcased 25 exhibitors from all across North America, from A to Z including A.C.T Lighting, Allstar Show Industries, Christie Lites, Contact Distribution, Digidesign/Adamson Systems Engineering, EPIC Production Technologies, Erikson Pro/Martin Canada, ETC, Gala Systems, GerrAudio Distribution, JD International, MDG Fog Generators, Ontario Staging Limited, Osram Sylvania, Pathway Connectivity, Quality Stage Drapery, Roland Systems Group, ROSCO, Sennheiser Canada, SF Marketing, Show Distribution, Solotech, Soundcraft Canada, Stagefab, Staging Concepts, Strand Lighting, Technically Yours Inc. and ZFX Flying.

The Friday New Product Breakfast, held the morning of the trade show in the sun-soaked lobby of the Winspear Centre, just across the street of the Citadel, offered delegates a sneak preview of not only new products and services but also a chance to be introduced to some of CITT’s new corporate members attending the trade show for the very first time.

A first this year was Swag Bingo held in an outdoor venue, more precisely at the Edmonton's Fringe Festival Beer Tent. The carnival-like atmosphere was the perfect setting for this zany “fun-raising” event, which resembled a makeshift flea market delightfully hosted by rookie bingo caller Don Parman of the Massey Theatre in BC, assisted by Don Waddle of Horizon Stage in Spruce Grove Alberta, who broke all records for the total fun raised!

The Saturday AGM luncheon allowed Bob Johnston to present the annual report and share his experience as CITT’s president for the past three years as he handed the organisation’s “set of keys” to its new president Adam Mitchell. The AGM wrapped up with a short presentation of CITT’s newly launched website by Communication Committee Chair, Brent Rossington.

The Saturday Banquet featured keynote Penny Ritco, Executive Director of the Citadel Theatre, who related her vision of the theatre community through her personal and professional path. It was followed by the CITT/ICTS Awards presentation. This year's recipients are:

• Dieter Penzhorn Memorial Award: Heather Kent and Wulf
• Ron Epp Memorial Award for Professional Achievement: Tom McCarthy
• CITT Educational Achievement Award: Tedfred Myers
• CITT Supplier (Corporate) Achievement Award: MDG Fog Generators
• CITT Award for Technical Merit: The Image Mill
• The Honorary Membership Award: Miriam Newhouse 

Kudos to the Edmonton Conference Committee for organising a wonderful and vibrant conference, and many thanks to our staff, volunteers, presenters and sponsors for making it all happen. 

Next year’s Rendez-vous will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Halifax Conference Committee is already at work planning the next edition, which coincides with CITT/ICTS's 20th anniversary. It will be a birthday bash not be missed from August 12 to 14, 2010!

We look forward to seeing you there!