A fun run and walk to San Francisco's waterfront kicked off day two of the NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association 
Fall Conference. A continental breakfast and the second set of concurrent sessions started a jampacked day of peer-to-peer brainstorming and educational sessions.
The concurrent sessions included discussions of marketing trends and successes when it comes to smart home tools and of best practices for hosting effective board meetings. Conference participants also could take part in a panel discussion regarding what the FCC has in store in the coming year and how the agency fared in 2014 under the leadership of its new chairman, Tom Wheeler. Another session featured tips on managing a company through difficult financial times.
The afternoon included Innovation Think Tanks that addressed timely industry issues and provided a setting for sharing ideas and learning from colleagues. A telco-executives policy discussion gave executives, managers and key staff the opportunity to provide input on NTCA's overall policy direction. NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also led a think tank titled "What's on Your Mind?" that gave conference participants a forum where all topics were fair game.
Spouses and guests took the opportunity to experience the comic magic of nationally acclaimed performer Jay Alexander, and continued taking trips to the infamous island prison Alcatraz.
The day closed with a #ruraliscool reception and vendor showcase. Attendees were encouraged to take selfies while wearing #ruraliscool sunglasses handed out to 
conference participants. New 2015 board members also took the opportunity to mingle with members over hors d'oeuvres. Tabletop exhibits provided information about new products and services in the industry.
The final day of the conference promises more excitement from Closing General Session keynoters Alison Levine and Chris Rivera. Rivera will discuss how software-defined networking has been instrumental in creating new opportunities, while Levine will focus on the importance of taking risks when it comes to leadership.