Dielectric's Annual Engineering Conference Hosts Radio and Television Executives
RAYMOND, Maine — July 22, 2010 — Dielectric Communications, a division of SPX and a leader in broadcast antenna systems, hosted its annual Engineering Executive Conference. Started in 2005, the yearly event provides broadcasting executives from around the nation with an opportunity to study new technologies and broadcasting concepts presented by a number of industry experts. Originally designed to focus entirely on radio broadcasting, the event was extended this year to focus also on television broadcasting, providing instruction on translators and low-power stations in rural areas, HD radio broadcasting, and methods for improving mobile DTV reception. The 2010 conference was held July 14-16 at the Marriott Sable Oaks along the coast of Maine.
"The conference was excellent, with top-notch presenters," said Tim Sawyer, senior engineer for Mullaney Engineering. "I appreciated the access to Dielectric's engineers and the free flow of information about products and user feedback."
"It was great to have the opportunity to listen to and share experiences with end users and industry guests," added Oscar Florez, international vice president for Cricon International. "The expertise and professionalism of Dielectric staff are wonderful and help us sell the added value to our customers."
Attendees of the conference enjoyed professional seminars from Dielectric's engineers and a number of key leaders in the broadcasting industry. Byron St. Clair, president of the National Translator Association, presented on the importance of translators and low-power TV stations in rural areas while Mike Bergman, vice president of New Digital Technologies for JVC-Kenwood/Kenwood USA, offered an update on the state of digital broadcasting. Separate television and radio broadcasting workshops provided instruction on topics ranging from turnkey tower solutions (presented by Gregg Ferhman, chief engineer for Stainless, LLC) to improving mobile DTV reception (presented by Harvey Arnold, director of engineering for Sinclair Broadcast Group). Presentations by Terry Cockerill, radio product line manager for Harris Corporation, and John Demshock, director of engineering for WFTV-WRDQ of Cox Media Group, rounded out a full day of education. The conference also included tours of Dielectric's antenna production facility, as well as the company's traditional lobster bake.
"It was an excellent conference," said Jeffrey Mahaney, transmission manager, north, for Maine Public Broadcasting. "It was good to see Dielectric bringing such an army of talent together. Dielectric continues to be the standard by which we judge others."
"Our annual conference provides Dielectric with a wonderful opportunity to present broadcasting trends and innovations while also encouraging a ‘meeting of the minds' among the top industry executives and technical leaders," said Dielectric President Garrett VanAtta. "It's a win-win situation because our conference attendees walk away with a better understanding of the challenges they face in an ever-changing industry — and the technologies that can help promote their success — while we gain a clear understanding of how we can better serve our current and future customers in both radio and television broadcasting."
Those interested in attending next year's event can contact Dielectric via email to sally . dixon @ spx.com. Information on Dielectric's full range of broadcast antenna systems is available at www.dielectric.com.
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About Dielectric Communications (a division of SPX Corporation)
Based in Raymond, Maine, Dielectric Communications (www.dielectric.com) is the nation's largest manufacturer of broadcast antenna systems for radio, mobile media, and television.
Dielectric Communications is a division of SPX Corporation, a Fortune 500 global, multi-industry manufacturing company. With headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., SPX has 15,000 employees in more than 35 countries worldwide.
www.spx.com.
