AGENDA
All conference events take place at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis.
Sunday, July 24
Registration Open10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Welcome Party7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday, July 25
Registration Open7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Christians in Communications Breakfast
Held in conjunction with The Independent Show.
7:00 am – 8:00 am
NCTC Members Meeting
NCTC Members Only
8:10 am – 9:10 am
NCTC's new President and CEO will lead the NCTC Annual Meeting, updating members on key financial, programming and hardware issues. The election of Board members and other business issues will also be conducted at the meeting. A discussion of key 2011 challenges, including updates on new and pending agreements will be presented.
ACA Members Meeting
ACA Members Only
9:15 am – 10:00 am
ACA President and CEO Matt Polka will lead the ACA Annual Meeting to update ACA members on ACA's business activities, elect Board members, and present ACA Member Awards. ACA leadership and staff will provide an overview of the progress made in 2010-2011 and what ACA is doing to prepare for 2011-2012.
— Break —9:45 am – 10:00 am
Cable Leaders Panel – Bridging the Gap, Next Generation Leaders
10:15 am – 11:15 am
The Independent Show has in past years featured a number of member company leaders discussing industry successes and challenges. This year, we focus on up and coming leaders—the next generation of family members poised to carry on the family business. What do these new leaders see as the challenges ahead; how can cable TV keep Millennials connected? Join us as we bridge the generation gap and look at tomorrow's leaders and customers.
Luncheon
With Speaker
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
The ACA Update – Washington, D.C. – The Bridge between Business and Regulation
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
2011 – The year of retransmission consent for independent video providers, but in Washington, D.C., there are many things happening that impact your business on a daily basis. During the ACA Update, you will learn what you need to do to be compliant with the FCC's Open Internet Rules, how to prepare for the national EAS test, and what are the rules regarding the CALM Act requiring video providers to curb abrupt spikes in sound volume during commercials. The ACA team will also update you on the FCC's 2011 Pole Attachment Order and the status of USF reform. But wait, there's more! FCC regulators are working on regulations requiring the insertion of video descriptions in TV programming to assist the visually impaired. The FCC has also launched a rulemaking called AllVid, which envisions a whole house gateway to replace CableCards. And, of course, the FCC has an open proceeding reviewing good faith in retransmission consent negotiations. Please join ACA to learn how all of the ongoing actions in Washington, D.C., will impact your business.
Exhibits Open2:15 pm – 5:00 pm
Evening on the San Francisco Belle
Dinner & S.F. Bay Cruise
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Tuesday, July 26
Registration Open7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Breakfast
Full Buffet
7:00 am – 8:00 am
The Key 2011 ACA Issue – Retransmission consent – Bridging the Divide?
8:00 am – 9:15 am
For the seventh time since 1992, video providers are forced to negotiate retransmission consent with broadcasters for the right to distribute local TV signals and network programming. Each negotiation since 1992 has become more contentious as broadcasters demands have increased dramatically. And in 2011, the stakes are higher than ever with broadcaster demands, network reverse compensation, and with the FCC, Congress, industry and consumers watching. Join the teams from ACA and Cinnamon Mueller as they discuss the FCC's ongoing retransmission consent rulemaking and how you can prepare for the 2011 round. Hear tips on what you can do before, during and after your negotiations to bring more attention to the retransmission consent harm suffered by independent cable operators and your customers. In addition, ACA will go deep on local communications to give you the tools you need to make sure your customers, local officials, and local press know the retransmission consent story from your perspective and the harms faced by your customers and local community.
Exhibits Open9:15 am – Noon
Luncheon
With Speaker
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
Mark Cuban, HDNet
Financial Panel
1:45 pm – 2:45 pm
Learn from leading industry analysts what the business community sees as the challenges facing cable operators in 2011 and beyond. Topics will include over-the-top suppliers, video on mobile platforms, how to increase your business value and more.
— Break —2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
The Value Proposition: Why Customers Pay - and Why They Stay
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
In today's competitive environment, the focus is often solely on price while some customers simply threaten to cut the cord and move to other options like NetFlix. Join our panel as they explain how they have changed the playing field and gained the advantage.
— Break —4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Commercial Services
4:15 pm – 5:15 pm
Even small markets can provide a good opportunity for cable to serve the business community. If you're evaluating a move into the commercial services arena, don't miss this session hosted by NCTC member and board member Larry Eby, EVP, Operations, NewWave Communications as he shows you how they are building their commercial business. Panelists to include: Jerry Howe, CEO, Big River Telephone Josh Barstow, VP, Advanced Services, MetroCast Bob Tunis, Manager, Commercial Services Operations, IBBS
Youth Dinner Party6:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Dinner & Comedian7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Wednesday, July 27
Registration Open7:00 am – 11:00 am
Breakfast
Full Buffet
7:30 am – 8:30 am
Programming Panel – Time Shifting, Place Shifting, Content on all devices
8:45 am – 9:45 am
Consumers want content on multiple platforms—the days are gone when video belongs exclusively to the TV. This session will explore the position of key programmers—what are their plans to allow current subscribers access to content online, specifically when, on what devices and at what cost. Hear the latest as programmers wade into streaming video.
— Break —9:45 am – 10:00 am
Metered Billing—Taming the Bandwidth Beast
10:00 am – 11:15 am
At NCTC's 2011 Winter Educational Conference, "Taming the Bandwidth Beast" was one of the most popular sessions. One topic at that session that intrigued members was metered billing—how you can move from (or add to) an "all you can eat" plan to one that allows for billing on the amount of bandwidth consumed. This session will feature suppliers and members who have set up metered billing and made it work for their companies and their customers. The panel will discuss the increase in high-speed data usage, billing options, exceptions and overage charges and how to communicate all of this to customers.
Closing Remarks11:15 am – 11:20 am
Golf Tournament & Awards Reception
Hiddenbrooke Golf Club
11:30 am – 7:30 pm
Questions: Please feel free to contact  Lisa Miller - NCTC Meetings & Travel Manager   
Phone: (913) 599-5900  |  Fax: (800) 825-0357  |  Email: lmiller@nctconline.org