October 5, 2021
‘The Power of Together‘
Independent Broadband Providers Keep America Connected at an Urgent Moment, Creating Strong Consumer Loyalty
PITTSBURGH, PA. and LENEXA, KAN., October 5, 2021– Bringing together leaders, vendors and supporters of the independent video and broadband industry, the National Cable Television Cooperative and ACA Connects-America’s Communications Association today opened this year’s Independent Show with headliners offering their thoughts and insights on how to take their services and communities to the next level.
This year’s Independent Show is co-hosted once again by NCTC and ACA Connects and was a virtual production for the second year running in response to health safety concerns related to COVID-19. Even so, event planners delivered on their promises to offer content blocks flush with curated presentations on powerful tends and outlooks impacting finance, infrastructure technology and public policy.
The Independent Show is a two-day online event and concludes tomorrow with another day of special activities.
“There are a lot of people to thank – ACAC/NCTC members, programmers, technology firms and other supporters – for making today’s virtual conference so special and productive. If there’s one thing I’d take away from today, it is that we are showing unparalleled leadership in keeping America connected and expanding the reach of our networks at an urgent moment,” said ACAC Chairman, Patricia Jo Boyers, who is co-Founder and President of BOYCOM Vision in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
The past year has been filled with challenges and surprises, with the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis putting the spotlight on broadband network providers like never before. But they responded by taking a leadership role in embracing the Federal Communications Commission’s “Keep Americans Connected” pledge and enrolling consumers in the Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, which so far has reduced broadband bills for more than six million households. More than 300 ACAC members have participated in the program.
“Day one of The Independent Show was really special. Thank you to all of our speakers and supplier partners that made this day valuable to our members, we could not have done it without you. Today’s content was focused on innovation and future planning. Our members can take this information and apply it to their business tomorrow and that is what ultimately made this day so successful.” said Lou Borrelli, CEO of NCTC.
“Putting the customer first is a strong tradition for independent video and broadband providers, and today we learned from our speakers that by investing in their networks with future-proof technology, our customers will always know whom they can trust for consistent and superior performance among network providers,” ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.
Today’s Independent Show opened with an NCTC/ACAC leadership panel, followed by a keynote speaker and two distinguished panels. Here’s a complete rundown of today’s events and web links for additional information.
Opening Session:
ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers, President of BOYCOM Cablevision
NCTC Chairman Brad Mefferd, Chief Administrative Officer, Buckeye Broadband
NCTC CEO Lou Borrelli
ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polkasaid.
Keynote Speaker
Jeremy Gutsche, CEO of Trend Hunter & Award-Winning Author
Panel I: Above the Fold — The Most Important Decisions Operators Will Face Over the Next 5 Years
Chad Lawson, Broadband Superintendent, Murray Electric System
Gary Shorman, Chairman/CDO, Eagle Communications
Stacey Slaughter, President & CEO, NCTI
Brad Moline, President, ALLO Communications
Panel II: Normalizing the Chaos — Managing your Business Eco-system in an Uncertain Time
John Higginbotham, EVP & COO, ACA Connects
Sandra Tilley, Sr. VP of Brand Strategies, EPB
Geoff Shook, President & General Manager, Buckeye Broadband
Angela Conklin, Sr. VP Human Resources, Vyve Broadband
For more details, please visit www.theindependentshow.org
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About the National Cable Television Cooperative
The National Cable Television Cooperative, Inc. (NCTC) is a Kansas-based, not-for-profit corporation that operates as a programming, broadband solutions and hardware purchasing organization for its member companies serving 40 million broadband and video customers throughout the U.S. and its territories. NCTC seeks to maximize current and future opportunities to ensure the profitability, competitive stature and long-term sustainability of its member companies. NCTC represents more than 700 independent cable and broadband operators across the U.S., in programming and technology acquisition. NCTC is actively engaged in helping network providers and suppliers evolve their business models to deploy new video/data solutions to match the changes in the media landscape.
About ACA Connects – America’s Communications Association
Based in Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to more than 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their businesses. For more information, visit: http://www.ACAConnects.org
Contacts:
Pamela Gillies
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
National Cable Television Cooperative
pgillies@nctconline.org
(720) 594-8085
Ted Hearn
Vice President of Communications
ACA Connects-America’s Communications Association
thearn@acaconnects.org
(202) 713-0826