At USITT's Stage Expo in Houston, one lucky winner will selected at random to become the next scholar to TOMCAT U. The application process is simple: all you have to do is stop by booth 573 and drop you business card or fill out the "application" form for your chance to attend TOMCAT's Hoist & Truss Workshop from June 4-7, 2008.

All "candidates" should report to booth #573 - Columbus McKinnon's home at this year's Expo where TOMCAT will accept "applications" for all three days of the tradeshow: March 20-22.

The Hoist and Truss Workshop includes: instruction on basic and advanced maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for CM Lodestars and Prostars; advanced troubleshooting scenarios; an overview of hoist control; basic and advanced instruction on truss design, usage and theory; live demonstrations of truss inspection and destruction.

The scholarship includes all instruction and materials, lodging, lunches, dinners, snacks as well as all local transportation. The participant will be responsible for transportation to and from Midland, Texas.

The scholarship will be announced after the USITT Stage Expo tradeshow.

In addition to the Hoist & Truss Workshop, TOMCAT will also offer the Rigging & Truss Workshop from June 4-7, 2008. In addition to the truss curriculum, instruction and discussion in this workshop will include the following topics: wire rope, shackles, force, reaction & load distribution, force distribution in complex structures; forces in bridles (math solution), forces in bridles (vector solution); fall protection; shock load demonstrations with hands on portions including knot tying and pulling points; rescue demonstration with hand on portions including harness fitting, truss/ladder climbing and pulling points.