MAY 12, 2008 -- The Fiber Optics LAN Section (search for FOLS) of the Telecommunications Industry Association (search for TIA) has introduced a new Affiliate Membership program to allow companies that are not TIA members to participate in FOLS.
"TIA is committed to supporting the Fiber Optics LAN Section and its role as an educational resource for the enterprise market," explains Taly Walsh, TIA vice president of marketing and business development. "The Affiliate Membership program is intended to help expand FOLS participation beyond our current membership base as TIA increases its presence in this critical market."
"2008 is going to be a breakthrough year for FOLS recruitment," contends Rodney Casteel, chair of the FOLS and global fiber applications manager for CommScope's Enterprise Solutions Group. "The Affiliate Membership program will allow FOLS to approach companies that are currently not TIA members, but whose business is involved with the use of fiber in the enterprise market. It will strengthen the Fiber Optics LAN Section tremendously with increased participation from more diverse companies as we continue to educate network designers and end users about fiber optics and related technologies for advancing new and better communications solutions."
"There are many benefits to joining FOLS," Casteel continues. "Our members value the chance to network with their peers, to participate in industry-wide educational initiatives, to influence the interpretation of industry standards and architectures, and to increase the understanding of the use of fiber optics in the enterprise."
Through FOLS participation, adds Casteel, members and their representatives are able to extend the reach of their own marketing efforts by increasing their visibility at industry conferences and through additional exposure through bylined articles for trade publications.
Under the Affiliate Membership program, companies or individuals can participate in the FOLS at one of two rates: $3,500 to become a sponsoring member or $5,000 to become a full member. The new categories for participation in FOLs do not create membership rights in TIA.
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