Hundreds of linemen — journeymen and apprentices alike — have been working hard all year developing their skills. And next month, they will have the opportunity to exhibit these skills at the 24^th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo & Expo. This year's show will be held Oct. 25-27 in the Kansas City metro area.

Rodeo events are based on traditional lineman tasks and skills. The 2007 journeyman team events include the hurtman rescue, the pole climb and a couple mystery tasks that won't be revealed until contestants are at the show. The apprentices will compete in a written test, the hurtman rescue, the pole climb, CPR with automated external defibrillators and a mystery task. Events will be judged on safety, work practices, neatness and ability, equipment handling and timely completion of the event.

Over the years, the rodeo has grown in popularity. The first rodeo was held in September 1984 with 12 participating teams from Kansas and Missouri. At this year's rodeo — being hosted by Kansas City Power & Light (Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.) and Westar Energy (Topeka, Kansas, U.S.) — more than 200 teams and 250 apprentices are expected to compete. The deadline to register for the 2007 event is Sept. 21.

Attendees may want to arrive early to take advantage of a free safety conference being held Oct. 24-25. As a result of the overwhelming success of last year's inaugural International Lineman's Rodeo Safety & Training Conference, this year's conference is being expanded to a day and a half. The conference will feature industry experts who will offer the latest on suspension trauma, personal protection, bucket-truck safety, fire-retardant clothing and more.

In addition to the free safety conference, the expo is sure to draw large crowds of its own as exhibitors showcase the latest products and services in the industry. Exhibition space sold out quickly for the show, so there will be many key vendors on hand to talk face to face with attendees and answer their questions. The expo will be held Oct. 25-26 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas.

Visit www.linemansrodeokc.com for the most up-to-date information or to register for the International Lineman's Rodeo & Expo and Safety & Training Conference.

2007 Exhibitors

AB Chance (Hubbell Power Systems)
Aircraft Dynamics
Alexander Publications
Altec Industries
American Safety Utility Corp.
Andax Environmental
Art on the Line
Bashlin Industries
BC Hydro
BMK Corp.
Bonneville — U.S. Dept. Power
Buckingham Mfg.
Bulwark Protective Apparel
Cact-Co. Inc.
Carhartt
Cembre Inc.
Cooper Power Systems
Coyne First Aid Inc.
Dominion
ElectProtect
EMC Pacific Holdings Ltd.
Equipment Technology
Estex Mfg.
Fairmont/Greenlee
Farwest Line Specialties
Florida Power & Light
Hall's Safety Equipment Corp.
Harleman Mfg.
Hastings Hot Line Tools
HD Electric
Hilti Inc.
Hoffman Boots
Huskie Tools
IEEE/PES
Insulboot
J. Harlen Co.
J.L. Matthews Co. Inc.
Joslyn Hi-Voltage
Klein Tools Inc.
Laminated Wood Systems
Line Equipment Sales
Lug-All
Magid Glove & Safety
McLaughlin Group Inc.
Metrotech Corp.
North American Wood Pole Council
NASCO Industries Inc.
Osmose Utilities Services Inc.
Par Electrical Contractors
Pencell Plastics
Plastic Techniques
Powerlineman magazine
Preformed Line Products
Principal Financial
Progress Energy
PT Technologies
Ripley Tools
Riverside Mfg. Co.
Rycom Instruments Inc.
Salisbury Electrical Safety, LLC
E.O. Schweitzer Mfg.
Seattle City Lights
Sherman & Reilly
Skylift
Speed Systems
Stanley Hydraulic
Tallman
Team Fenex
Transmission & Distribution World
Tyco Electronics
Tyndale
UK International
Unifirst Corp.
Vivid Learning Corp.
Von Corp.
Warren Heim Corp.
Westex
Whelen Engineering
Working Concepts Inc.
Workrite