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RURAL TELECOM INDUSTRY MEETING & EXPO [Rural Telecommunications](Rural Telecommunications Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LAKE BUENA VISTA FLA. The first-ever Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO kicked off with a bang, as nearly 2,500 attendees gathered in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for the historic joint meeting hosted by NTCA and OPASTCO. The meeting officially got under way on Sunday, February 3, and the event culminated on Wednesday, February 6, when members of NTCA and OPASTCO votedto unify the two organizations. As of March 1, the new organization will be known as NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. During the meeting's first full day of events, NTCA and OPASTCO members filed into the Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel for committee meetings and concurrent sessions exploring mobile apps, cloud computing and smart technologies. Telco employees and directors had an opportunity to hear from industry experts and to share ideas with their peers. The day closed in true Super Bowl Sunday fashion, with a welcome reception and party in the hotel's vast ballroom featuring four big-screen TVs airing the game between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. NTCA and OPASTCO leaders Sandy Vandevender, Mike Osborne, Terry Force and Rhonda Armstrong took the stage during the Opening General Session on Monday, February 4, which also featured speeches from OPASTCO President John Rose, NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield and longtime NTCA General Counsel Jim Bass, who was honored for his more than 50 years of service to the association. Bloomfield updated attendees on the association's advocacy efforts, including recent successes correcting certain aspects of 201 1 Universal Service Fund (USF) reforms, and provided some guidance for the future, telling the crowd that rural stakeholders must work together to "make rural cool again" and urging teleos to "find the time to strategize." FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel also addressed the crowd, drawing applause when she called the 201 1 USF reforms "extremely complex" and vowed to continue working to simplify the rules to make them more workable for rural telecommunications providers. Rosenworcel also provided an update on the FCC's efforts to address rural call completion issues with additional data retention requirements on originating long-distance carriers. Business expert Tim Sanders shared his insights on the people side of business and the importance of building strong professional relationships. A panel of industry experts from Google, Cisco and Hitachi finished the session by speculating on what the future might hold for cloud computing, smart grid technologies and mobile applications. Tuesday, February 5, brought another packed schedule, with region caucus meetings and the Second General Session featuring Martin Lowery, executive vice president of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and a panel discussion about rural advocacy in the IP-enabled world led by Stuart Polikoff, OPASTCO vice president of regulatory policy and business development. Polikoff was joined by Michael Romano, NTCA senior vice president of policy, Jennifer McKee of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association and Hank Hultquist of AT&T. Following an EXPO Luncheon and Open House, attendees took advantage of afternoon learning forums exploring aging in place, broadband adoption strategies and rural small business trends. The day concluded with a trip to Universal Studios' CityWalk and a show by the famous Blue Man Group as supporters of the Telecommunications Education Committee Organization (TECO) participated in the political action committee's annual fundraiser for the PAC's administration fund. Prior to the separate business sessions for NTCA and OPASTCO members, attendees were given an economic update from Sheldon Petersen of the Rural Telephone Finance Cooperative and an engaging presentation by inspirational author and speaker Sally Hogshead during the Closing General Session on Wednesday, February 6. Hogshead talked about what she calls "the art of fascination," a scientific system to influence others based on hardwired patterns in each person's brain, sharing with the audience how their own personality traits can be better leveraged to improve relationships with co-workers, employees and customers. An awards banquet featuring entertainment by iL CiRCo closed out the meeting. EXPO '13 HEATS UP IN FLORIDA BY CHRISTIAN HAMAKER Ahead of a successful vote to unify their organizations, NTCA and OPASTCO members gathered al the Rural Telecom Industry Meeting and EXPO in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The evenl brought together the rural telco industri not only for educational sessions and networking, but also for an exhibition of the latest products and services aimed at the rural telecom sector Held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel February 4-5, the EXPO opened when new NTCA President Terry Force joined NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield and OPASTCO President John Rose for the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 4. Technology Awards Leaders in the independent-telecom services sector exhibited state-of-the-art technologies at this year's EXPO. Booth awards, based on booth Size, went toCalix (20'.\20' booth exhibitors), V3 Systems ( I0'x20' booths) and Frontier Communications ( 10'x 10' booths). NTCA also presented award ribbons to three exhibitors in the "Hot Technologies" EXPO area. GetWireless took first place, followed by Mapcorn Systems and NeoNova Network Services. NTCA recognized firstplace winner GetWireless for its AirTouch U250 SmartLinX, which connects to a landline and wireless router and allows landline calls to be made using a smartphone. Mapcom systems took second place for its M4 Mobile Tech, which delivers to one device- laptop, tablet or smartphone- information from its M 4 Workforce, M4 inventory and array of M4 modules designed specifically for field technicians. Techs can use a Web biow ser to manage daily activities online and view trouble tickets, service orders and maintenance priorities geographically. NeoNova placed third with its app poi tal, which it said opens a new world to telco subscribers while minimizing the fear of buying on the Internet. On February telco managers and telco employees downloaded an EXPO Treasure Hunt, which they used during the EXPO luncheon to follow a treasure map through the exhibit hall. iPads weie awarded to three people who completed the task. The products and technologies on display at EXPO '13 showed that the industry is staying on the cutting edge of customer service, tech support and smartphones. AWARD RECIPIENTS Jim Daubendiek accepts the OPASTCO Chairman's Award on behalf of his father, Eugene (Gene) Daubendiek, for his many contributions to OPASCTO and the rural telecom industry during his lifetime. Jim spoke movingly about his father who had recently passed away. Pictured left to right, Jim Daubendiek, Jefferson Telecom (Jefferson, Iowa) and Roger Nishi, Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (Waitsfield, Vt.) and chairman of OPASTCO's Awards Committee. Tanya Sullivan, president of Plus One Strategic Communications, LLC (Arlington, Va.), was awarded the Associate Member Outstanding Achievement Award for her exemplary work with several NTCA member companies to promote the rural telecommunications industry. Harry Thomas, board member and president of Venture Communications Cooperative (Highmore, S.D.), was honored with the Director Life Achievement Award for his 30 years of service on the company's board of directors. Over the past three decades, Thomas helped the telco tackle challenges and implement many important changes, including several strategic exchange purchases and diversifying the company with cable TV, IPTV, Internet and fiber to the home (FTTH). Paul Berg, chief plant officer for Dakota Central Telecommunications (Carrington, N.D), was honored with the Key Employee Award for his significant contributions to the company's growth and success since 1980. During Berg's tenure as chief plant officer, Dakota Central become a leader in the independent telecom industry, particularly in FTTH and IPTV deployments. Berg also has taken an active role in helping other telcos across the state and nation roll out FTTH, spending countless hours on the phone and giving facility tours to other telcos that want to learn from his experience and success. Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David J. Herron of West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative (Abbeville, S.C.) was honored with the Manager Life Achievement Award for leading West Carolina to achieve unprecedented growth and technological improvements during his 26-year tenure. Cassie Florez, business support specialist for Peñasco Valley Telecommunications (Artesia, N.M.), received the Public Relations Achievement Award for coordinating relief efforts aiding customers in the Little Bear Forest area of Ruidoso, N.M. Alhena Valdez, marketing manager for Peñasco Valley, was honored with ihe Special Achievement Award for using a childhood concept - a telephone made of two tin cans connected by a piece of string - to publicize issues related to Universal Service Fund reforms. David Smith, a combination technician from Mid -Rivers Telephone Cooperative (Circle, Mont.), received the Heroism Award for delivering life-saving aid to victims of two different near-fatal auto accidents. The Management Achievement Award was presented to O'Neal Miller Jr., chief executive, financial operations for Horry Telephone Cooperative (Conway, S.C.). Several OPASTCO members were recognized with Leadership Awards for their chairmanship on committees. Left to right, Mike Osborne, board chairman, presented awards to Roger Nishi, Regulatory Policy Committee, Ron Laudner, Education Committee, Rhonda Armstrong, Membership Committee, John Granger, Associate Member Committee, Kurl Gruendling, Marketing & PR Committee and George Henney, Business Development Committee. The following individuals were honored with Leadership Awards but were not present to accept: Brian Cornelius, Legislative Policy Committee, Pete Holland, Finance Committee, Matt Schonlau, Technical Committee and Ron Strecker, Wireless Committee. Roger Nishi, vice president of Industry Relations for Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom, received high honors from Mike Osborne, general manager, Ace Communications, when he was presented with the Excellence in Grassroots Advocacy Award. (c) 2013 National Telephone Cooperative |