About Bicsi
What is BICSI?
BICSI is a professional association supporting the information transport systems (ITS) industry. ITS covers the spectrum of voice, data, electronic safety & security, and audio & and video technologies. It encompasses the design, integration and installation of pathways, spaces, fiber- and copper-based distribution systems, wireless-based systems and infrastructure that supports the transportation of information and associated signaling between and among communications and information gathering devices.
BICSI provides information, education and knowledge assessment for individuals and companies in the ITS industry. We serve more than 25,000 ITS professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems. Through courses, conferences, publications and professional registration programs, BICSI staff and volunteers assist ITS professionals in delivering critical products and services, and offer opportunities for continual improvement and enhanced professional stature.
History
Before BICSI® was founded, a small group of people from various telephone companies and from the telecommunications manufacturing segment met once a year to problem-solve and look at better ways to perform their jobs.
One of the early participants, Harry Pfister of General Telephone Company of Florida, thought it would be good for building industry consultants (BICs) to get together to discuss their own concerns. He approached the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, and with Larry Romig of the Center for Continuing Education, planned the first Tampa BICs Conference, held in January 1973.
By 1974, educational meetings included BICs, architects, manufacturers and suppliers. Informal talks and activities led to the idea of establishing a professional, nonprofit association. In 1977, BICSI was formed and incorporated as the Building Industry Consulting Service International, Inc.
At the January 1980 conference in Tampa, BICSI’s Executive Committee named Larry Romig as its first Executive Secretary, and USF provided office space for the new association. Membership rose to 132.
In September 1991, the BICSI Executive Offices moved from the USF campus into new, independent quarters in Tampa. With the move came a dedicated staff who handled only BICSI concerns. In 1997, with a staff of almost 40, BICSI constructed and occupied its own headquarters building. A 25,000-square-foot building expansion was completed in 2000 to accommodate the association’s growth and increasing services.
When Romig retired in 1992, Jay Warmke, Assistant Executive Director, became BICSI’s second Executive Director. In February 2002, Jay Warmke stepped down and in his place, BICSI Board Member, Al Feaster, was named BICSI’s third Executive Director.
In 2004, Donna French Dunn replaced Interim Executive Director Mel Lesperance after his nine-month tenure and became BICSI’s fourth Executive Director. In 2006, David Cranmer assumed the position as Interim Executive Director for a seven-month tenure before being formally named BICSI’s fifth Executive Director by the Board of Directors.
Membership
Membership has grown dramatically-from 1,482 in 1990 to nearly 20,000 members today. In 1998, BICSI established its first international districts, which are formed when a designated area receives 100 members. Brazil, Europe, Australia, and Mexico achieved district status that year. Additional districts followed: the Caribbean (1999); Japan (2000); Andean and Middle East (2001); and Central America, Southeast Asia, and Hong Kong (2002).
When Europe's membership surpassed 500 in 1999, it became the first BICSI region outside of North America, followed by Brazil in 2000. The end of 2001, Australia/New Zealand became the South Pacific Region.
Education
BICSI's mission of providing excellent education, promoting skills sharing, and assessing knowledge with professional registration programs is now recognized worldwide. Educational programs cover telecommunications infrastructure design courses to include data distribution design, outside plant design, low-voltage cabling installation, and residential cabling.
In 2001, BICSI offered 23 instructor-led programs to more than 4,000 students. Then in 2002, BICSI became a registered provider for the General Services Administration (GSA).