We like to invent, and many inventors contact us with their ideas and inventions. Recently, Ivan Van Perre Jr. contacted us with his very crafty follow spot yoke and sent us some photos. Ivan's invention will interest anyone who works on shows and has wished that their gear could perform better. Do you have a gadget, a widget or a backstage invention? Send it to us and maybe we'll feature it in an upcoming newsletter.

CTI has a unique open book management system that generates a lot of staff involvement from all over the company. We always have a "Thought for the Month" and a "Thought for the Year" posted in the shop. We have collected these for the last 10 years and thought you might enjoy reading them.

This year's USITT conference is special in many ways, both in the symbolism of the 50th anniversary of the organization and in the content of this year's conference. Not to be missed is this year's Broadway Lighting Design Seminar with Natasha Katz and Ken Billington, and a one day Broadway Projection Design Seminar with Howard Werner and Michael Clark.