A continental breakfast and regional caucuses started the third day of the 2015 Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & EXPO. Attendees had a chance to hear from cooperative and commercial board representatives and to get an update from the Foundation for Rural Service and Telecommunications Education Committee Organization (TECO).
NTCA Senior Vice President of Policy Michael Romano kicked off the Second General Session with member company representatives who outlined key regulatory and industry topics, including the recently adopted FCC network neutrality rules, Universal Service Fund reform and newly updated broadband speed requirements. Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield moderated a panel discussion about gigabit communities.
Conference attendees then took part in educational sessions on industry mergers and business combinations, Wi-Fi hotspot deployment and social media. Up next were learning forums 
where participants were invited to share ideas, successes and challenges on rural youth engagement, company culture and creating synergy.
Managers, telco executives and owners then had a chance to enjoy a luncheon and to tour the EXPO hall, where they heard about hot technologies and industry trends.
The day closed with a TECO fundraising event at the Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds. Attendees enjoyed a mariachi band, bull riding, trick roping and a three-course fiesta dinner.
The final day of the conference promises more local flavor with wine bottling and the FRS golf outing at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, the Closing General Session and the RTIME Awards Banquet with entertainment from Broadway star and country artist Laura Bell Bundy.