RTIME 2019: [R]evolution Day 1

By Ashley Spinks, Communications Coordinator, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association

February 3, 2019

The sun was shining in New Orleans as members made their way to Conference Central for registration this morning—the first full day of programming at the NTCA Rural Telecom Industry Meeting & Expo (RTIME). Nearly 2,100 members from across the country had joined staff in New Orleans over the weekend for the industry’s biggest annual event. 

Once everyone had badges, ribbons and drink tickets for the Super Bowl party later that night, members headed to their respective board and committee meetings. The Foundation for Rural Service and the Rural Broadband PAC each held its board meeting today, and the Marketing, Meetings & Education, Awards, Government Affairs and Tribal Affairs committees all met as well. 

Educational programming began today in the form of several concurrent sessions, tailored for either a director or manager audience. Director session topics included:

• Dealing With Difficult Board Members 
• Building a Qualified Board
• Getting to Know Cyber Threats

Managers learned more about:

• Sales Team Success
• Tomorrow's Video Forecast
• Success in Succession 
• Performance Testing—Network Differentiator, Royal Pain, or a Bit of Both?

This afternoon, chief executives from similarly-sized member telcos held roundtables, while the "Women in Telecom" headed to an industry roundtable discussion, followed by a reception. Everyone was excited for the evening's big event—the Super Bowl Party, sponsored by Telcom Insurance Group. 

The Napoleon Ballroom at the Sheraton was filled to the brim Sunday evening as chips and guacamole, vegetables and ranch dip, sliders and french fries made the rounds and the crowd watched the big game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots. (Tempers were running a bit high outside the hotel, though—a protest parade of Saints fans marched down Canal Street shortly before kickoff.) 

In the end, the Patriots emerged victorious and hundreds of sleepy members, ranging from thrilled to ambivalent with the result, made their way to bed. Tomorrow, the agenda will include the Opening General Session, featuring remarks from NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield and Board Chairman Kevin Beyer; new concurrent sessions; and several new additions to the usual EXPO at RTIME. 

For more information on tomorrow's planned events, check the NTCA Events app or visit our website.