Agenda

Meetings will take place at the Talking Stick Resort. The agenda is subject to change. 

Attending this conference earns you credits toward your NTCA certificate for course code B108, B112 and T108. Learn more about NTCA certificate programs.

NTCA would like to thank the Marketing + Sales Conference Programming Subcommittee for their efforts and participation in the conference. 

Sunday, May 19

12:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. 
Registration + Information 
Start here for your conference needs and meet with NTCA staff for any questions you may have.
Sponsored by:

 

1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Preconference Workshop
Additional fee required to attend workshop
Kickstart the conference with a half-day workshop to get your creative juices flowing and idea-swapping into high gear. 

Cybersecurity Education as Community Engagement
Jerry Keely, Cyber Security Advisor Region 9, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Community-based broadband providers play a critical role in raising awareness about the broad range of cybersecurity issues facing customers today — from phishing and smishing to cyberbullying and social media safety. This workshop will help you consider cybersecurity from the perspective of community members, including preparation of educational resources and experiences for targeted audiences. 

4:15 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
Streaming Bundles: Not Just For The Big Guys Anymore
Jason Cohen, CEO, MyBundle
Consumers aren't the only ones souring on traditional TV with providers of all sizes looking at alternatives.  But your customers aren't watching any less video, they're just streaming more. Learn the various ways your peers are leaning into the broader streaming marketplace to drive more broadband subscribers, offer innovative packaging, and making their customers' streaming lives simpler.
This sponsored presentation is open to all attendees.

5:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.
First-Time Attendee Session
This session is designed to make you feel like a Marketing + Sales Conference veteran in no time. You will be provided with information to help you learn the ins and outs of the conference and how to navigate the city. 

5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
Welcome Reception
Meet and greet with other marketing professionals as you get ready for Monday morning. 

6:30 p.m.–9:00 p.m.
FRS Party to Benefit the Tim Owens Memorial Fund at Topgolf
Additional registration required
LEARN MORE

Monday, May 20

7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Registration + Information 

7:30 a.m.–8:30 a.m.
Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Opening General Session

Take a Breath on the Whole AI Thing
Dr. Steven Shepard, Author, Educator and TEDx Speaker
AI brings profound value to the marketing landscape as both a messaging tool and a competitive weapon. Unravel the origins and significance of AI, dispel the myths and mystique often associated with the technology, and learn why AI is more aptly referred to as “Augmented Insight” that — when utilized effectively — can give rural broadband providers velocity in the marketplace. 

A Marketer’s Update on Policy and Regulatory Issues
Dee Herman, Principal, Herman & Whiteaker
While not necessarily at the top of every marketer’s list, rural broadband industry news surrounding regulatory and policy issues is increasingly relevant to the products and services your company provides and the strategies and communications you create around them. This brief update on the current top-of-mind issues will bring you up to date and help shed light on the importance of regularly tracking this type of information.

What Else Keeps You Up At Night - Marketing Edition
Kyle Randleman, Vice President of Marketing and Customer Operations, Star Communications

10:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Solutions Showcasing Opening and Networking Break

11:00 a.m.–Noon
Peer-to-Peer Roundtables
Join one of three roundtable discussions, assigned by company size, so you can network with peers from companies that know exactly where you are coming from. This unique opportunity will introduce you to peers you did not know you had and allow for an exchange of invaluable advice and perspectives.  

Noon–1:15 p.m.
Lunch on Your Own

Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
Tailored to meet the variety of interests of rural broadband marketers, the conference concurrent sessions are divided into three tracks:

Marketing: Marketing can be all-encompassing. From social media to email to analytics, learn sound marketing tactics that can help you with your own action plan.

Sales: What is your plan for sales and growth? Learn sales strategies and how to implement plans that will boost sales and get your numbers to where you want them to be.

Customer Engagement: Discover innovative approaches toward the customer experience and how best to stay engaged with customers in the community. 

1:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
Apps, Tips, Tricks and Tools: Resources for the Rural Marketer
Clint Holkenbrink, Marketing Representative, Wabash
Dr. Steven Shepard, Author Educator and TEDx Speaker, Shepard Communications Group

Sales
The Pros and Cons of Commissions
Lindsay Randazzo, Director of Marketing, Innovative Systems
Andy Isackson, Chief Marketing Officer, CTC
Tara Zielinski, Director of Marketing and Customer Service, Nortex

Customer Engagement
Measuring Customer Satisfaction (and Putting the Data to Use)
Brandon Johnson, Sales, GOCare
Gina Shuler, VP of Marketing, Home Telecom
Elizabeth Brown, Marketing Manager, PTCI
 

2:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
Solutions Showcase + Networking Break
Gather with other attendees and meet and network with vendors offering solutions to simplify your marketing efforts. 

2:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
Marketing in New Markets

Sales
Promotion-based Selling
Kevin Kutcher, Senior Marketing Director, JSI

Customer Engagement
A Rural Marketers Guide for Creating Sticky Customers
Emily Soccorsy, Owner + Lead Brand Strategist, Root + River

3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
Vendor Connections
Hear from the full lineup of Solutions Showcase participants to get a rapid-fire introduction to the vendors ready to talk with you about supporting your next marketing endeavor.

4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m. 
Networking Reception + Solutions Showcase
Gather with other attendees and meet and network with vendors offering solutions to simplify your marketing efforts. 

Tuesday, May 21

7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Registration + Information 

7:30 a.m.–8:15 a.m. 
Continental Breakfast

8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m.  
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
Navigating Rural Markets: Igniting Social Media Strategies
Tammy Wellbrock, Advertising Solutions Representative, Nex-Tech

Sales
Going Head-to-Head Over Unknown Customers
Jonathan Babbitt, Vice President Product Management, Marketing and Sales, MTA
Jessica Gilbert, Director of Marketing, MTA

Customer Engagement
CX Training Successful Practices

9:15 a.m.–10:00 a.m.  
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
Data Analytics and Getting the Most Out of Your Billing System
Robin Pooley, Product Manager, Innovative Systems
Amber Wesche, Product Manager, NISC
Jason Malmquist, Executive Vice President of Software, CHR Solutions

Sales
Incorporating MVNO Into Your Offerings
Curtis Knobloch, President, Mobile Solutions, NRTC

Customer Engagement
Finding, Winning, and Satisfying Grant

10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. 
Solutions Showcase + Networking Break
Gather with other attendees and meet and network with vendors offering solutions to simplify your marketing efforts. 

10:30 a.m.–Noon 
Curbside Consultations  
Take part in three 30-minute discussions on timely and relevant issues for marketing professionals. These fast-paced discussions provide an opportunity to engage in a great networking experience with your peers on topics important to you.   

Noon–1:30 p.m. 
Lunch and "Quick Bites" Sponsored Presentations

1:30 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
A Comprehensive Web Strategy: From Page Design to SEO
Edward Hinson, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, SkyLine Membership Corporation

Sales
New Revenue Streams in Wholesale
Mike Meinel, Vice President of Marketing, RiverStreet Networks
Steve Riat, Director of Sales, Nex-Tech

Customer Engagement
Community Building Through Employee Engagement
Brandi Lyles, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, FTC
Katie Kopplin, Business Solutions and Media Strategist, Lynxx
Mcxie Hurst, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Peoples

2:30 p.m.–3:15 p.m. 
Concurrent Sessions

Marketing
Revamping Broadband Tiers
Monica Santi, Vice President of Marketing, Pivot

Sales
Sales Tactics for B2B Services
Volodymyr Chornodolsky, Business Development Partner, Nokia 
Jason Wille, Chief Marketing Officer, Range

Customer Engagement
Digital Inclusion Partnerships
Tanya Sullivan, President and CEO, Plus One Strategic Communications

3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m.  
Closing General Session 

Digital Equity and What’s Next With ACP
Dee Herman, Principal, Herman & Whiteaker
This panel discussion will consider the future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or its potential replacement and the general focus on ensuring that all customers have equal opportunity to access broadband.

X and Oh No! Social Media “Love Notes” from Customers
Taylor Holland, Manager of Strategic Communications, NTCA
At one point, we could call this “Mean Tweets” but what do you even call a tweet these days? Hear some gems of customer feedback—those messages we all have that are too good (or so bad) you can’t help but print and hang on the office wall. 

Wednesday, May 22

8:00 a.m.–Noon
2024 Calix Marketer Summit: Connect and Engage Your Community Like Never Before
A complimentary pass to attend is included with registration for the Marketing + Sales Conference.

Broadband service providers (BSPs) have reached a watershed moment. Subscribers are more connected than ever, and broadband saturation is reaching record levels. To thrive and grow in today’s market, BSP marketers must engage their subscribers and connect their communities in ways competitors cannot.

Join industry thought leaders and your fellow broadband marketers at this year’s Calix Marketer’s Summit during the 2024 NTCA Sales and Marketing Conference. You will discuss, evaluate and learn from each other’s successes and mistakes. You will then learn how you can:

• Engage subscribers wherever they are by marketing services that support homes, businesses, communities, and more.
• Create lasting impressions and relationships with subscribers with an offering strategy that delivers a tailor-made connected life.
• Leverage experiences beyond the home and backyard to create brand opportunities, differentiate, and grow your business.

Presented by: