2023 Annual Conference                                    Speaker Presentations

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023

9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.              CONCURRENT SESSIONS

• In Dirt to Above Ground: Fiber Construction Practices in the ROW  Learn about the experiences and results from deploying fiber using the latest construction methodologies, including microtrenching. We will examine the latest designs of wireless small cell (4G/5G) installations and explore what the rollout of 5G looks like here in the US.

Moderator:  Brandon Dittman, Kissinger & Fellman 

Speakers:  Lucas Turner, Helicore; Scott Longhurst, Crown Castle; Scott Wendland, Network Infrastructure Company 

• Field Production: Plan… Pivot!  Pre-production and adapting are key elements in storytelling. Learn how planning ahead and pivoting in the field can improve production outcomes. Hear the struggles faced and overcome through resiliency to make the story impactful and memorable.

Moderator:  Rick Assmus, City & County of Denver, CO

Speakers:  Megan Hutton, PCTV; Scott Denfeld, City of Edina, MN; Mark McKittrick, City of Tacoma, WA

CLICK HERE FOR MEGAN HUTTON'S PRESENTATION

CLICK HERE FOR SCOTT DENFELD'S PRESENTATION

CLICK HERE FOR MARK MCKITTRICK'S PRESENTATION

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.              CONCURRENT SESSIONS

• Ending Digital Discrimination: The Role of Local Government: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) gives the FCC the formidable task of eliminating digital discrimination of access to broadband “based on income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion, or national origin.” Local governments recognize and seek to eradicate the lack of equal access. This session will explore innovative strategies to ensure equal access and how our federal partners can support our initiatives.

Moderator:  Brian Roberts, City & County of San Francisco, CA 

Speakers:  Rebecca Kauma, County of Los Angeles, CA; Rebecca Gibbons, City of Portland, OR; Khotan Harmon, City of Austin, TX 

• Templates & Plug-Ins & Stock Footage, Oh My!  Make your stories, promos and programs more interesting through visuals. Create something of your very own using highly customizable After Effects templates. Use text effects, transitions, dynamic show opens and even logo reveals for station IDs to make amazing video. Maximize time and creativity using time-saving plug-ins to make your projects pop!

Moderator/Speaker:  Mark Kaufmann, City of Allen, TX

Speakers:  Bob Pearce, Pearce Video Productions; Pedro Hernandez, City of Garland, TX

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.          POLICY SESSION

• BEAD: One Year In. What’s YOUR Plan?  Our experts in mapping, planning, funding, and partnerships will walk you through your broadband assessment and plan. From identifying your needs to fund matching opportunities, this session will dive into the resources available to you and prepare you to advocate for your local government as states solidify their BEAD implementation proposals.

Moderator:  Daniel Lightfoot, Minnesota League of Cities

Speakers:  Sean Stokes, Keller & Heckman, LLP,; Jorge Fuenzalida, JLA Advisors

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.       POLICY SESSION

• The Future of PEG & Local Government Franchise Revenue:  Local governments and PEG operations are all asking the BIG question: Where’s the future revenue stream? This session will dive in to just that and present the latest trends, transitions and opportunities.

Moderator:  Lawrence Cooper Washington DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment

Speakers:  Garth Ashpaugh, Ashpaugh & Sculco CPAs; Gerry Lederer, Best Best & Krieger, LLP; Sue Buske, The Buske Group

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.            POLICY SESSION

• Franchising: It’s Not Your Father’s Clicker Anymore  In today’s legal and market environment, what can we expect to achieve through cable and non-cable franchising? Our featured speakers will attempt to corral the prospects for cable franchise renewals and the potential for non-cable ROW franchising across the range of state laws, and the position of streaming video within these issues.

Moderator/Speaker:  Brian Grogan, Moss & Barnett, PA

Speakers:  Rondella Hawkins, City of Austin, TX; Stu Chapman, Municipal Services Associates

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.               CONCURRENT SESSIONS

• To BEAD or not to BEAD: Affordability, ACP and USF:  Learn the myriad federal funding sources and programs, including the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program and the Universal Service Fund that help ensure low-income, fixed-income and digitally disadvantaged households can afford reliable and affordable internet services needed for work, school, healthcare and more.

Moderator:  Angelina Panettieri, National League of Cities

Speakers:  John Horrigan, Benton Foundation; Tim Lay, Best Best & Krieger 

CLICK HERE FOR TIM LAY'S PRESENTATION

• Social Media: Production Styles, Trends & Techniques:  To say that message delivery has transformed over the years is a major understatement. See how the use of vertical video, thumbnails and other unique production styles have been effective for others on their platforms – and grab the strategies to enhance your own. Head home with a toolkit of practical methods on turning your widescreen projects into Reels.

Moderator:  Chris Williams, James City County, VA

Speakers:  Zach Camerino, Camerino Films; Christian Bruncsak, City of Austin, TX; Centrell Reed, CReed Global Media

CLICK HERE FOR PRESENTATION

10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.              CONCURRENT SESSIONS

• Where, oh where does all this fiber go?  Local governments have the unique challenge of identifying the unserved and underserved, while striving to provide broadband connectivity to all citizens.  We will explore the workings of GIS mapping tools and the FCC maps utilizing data from broadband provider companies. Let’s dive into the availability and affordability of broadband in our communities and its transparency through All-In Pricing, Broadband Labels and Truth in Speed.

Moderator:  Chris Seidt, City of Louisville, KY

Speakers:  Brian Roberts, City & County of San Francisco, CA; Karen White, VP, Natl BB Practice, Michael Baker Intl.; Susan Walters, Regional Director, NTIA