The 2014 Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & Expo in San Antonio, Texas, got underway Sunday, as attendees took part in education sessions, tours of local sites and a Super Bowl party featuring three jumbo TV screens, chicken wings and foam fingers.
More than 2,500 NTCA members registered at the Grant Hyatt San Antonio hotel for a full day of activities, including tours of attractions like the Alamo and local wineries. The meeting's first full day also featured a number of education sessions and NTCA committee meetings. During concurrent sessions, participants heard about marketing strategies and business planning for home security, as well as ways to foster innovation with new industry technology. 
During a joint meeting of the NTCA Industry and Regulatory Policy and Competitive and Advanced Services Committees, members discussed a number of hot policy topics, including the recently issued FCC order regarding rural broadband experiments and the appeals 
court decision on open Internet rules. The Membership, Meetings and Education, and Technical Committees held meetings on Sunday to brainstorm new ways to improve the NTCA membership experience and to foster innovation among telcos while providing top-notch services.
As the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks went head to head, NTCA members came together to wrap up the first full day at the conference with a Super Bowl party. Attendees had a chance to cheer on their team while enjoying tailgating favorites, including hot dogs, popcorn and nachos. With four screens to choose from in the hotel's ballroom, fans cheered and of course caught the infamous commercials while enjoying each other's company.
Monday will feature many more events, including the Opening General Session, more education sessions and Peer-to-Peer workshops for telco executives.