2012 SEATOA “GIG CITY”CONFERENCE EARNS RAVE REVIEWS

SEATOA’s 11th Annual Conference “Protecting Community Networks: Economic Opportunities for the Future” drew over 115 to the first 1 Gig City in the US – Chattanooga, TN, in March.  Three keynote speakers addressed two general sessions. Deena Shetler, Associate Chief of the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau – provided a status update on FCC activities.  And James Baller, of the Baller Herbst Law Group and David Kiel, of Carrier Networks, for Corning Inc. and also representing the FTTH Council, addressed providing broadband to meet the real needs of today’s international marketplace.  Both sessions including panel discussions and lively Q & A sessions which dug deep into how these issues affect local governments.

A wide array of speakers representing both the public and private sector presented panel discussions on smart grid opportunities, managing and programming PEG channels, financing community broadband networks, maximizing social networking, public safety interoperable networking, and advocating for PEG and community broadband. 

Enjoy some pictures of the conference – available at Conference 2012

In addition – with the help of our very knowledgeable sponsors – 30-minute training sessions were offered on mobile communications, R-O-W management, tower siting, and “cloudingcasting”, and high quality audio and lighting tips for PEG operations. Highlight of the conference was a lunch and tour of EPB’s community broadband operations facilities in Chattanooga.

Several of our speakers have shared their presentations with SEATOA and we have them available via this link: 2012 Speaker Presentations    In addition, SEATOA is offering some sessions via our YouTube link at: SEATOA

SEATOA wants to thank all those who contributed to the success of this year’s conference – particularly our sponsors – a listing of whom are available at Conference 2012

It is not too early to be thinking about next year’s Conference – so if you have ideas on location and/or topics you would like to see covered send them to seatoa@carolina.rr.com