WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Board of Directors of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) has approved a plan developed by representatives of cable industry associations and professional societies to commence in 2009 the scheduling of a variety of national annual industry meetings and events, so that they are aligned with a single week in the spring and another in the fall. 

“I want to thank each of the association heads for working so constructively together to develop a new strategy,” said NCTA President & CEO Kyle McSlarrow.  “Ours is a dynamic industry with many vibrant organizations that provide great benefits to all of us, and this strategy respects the value their programs and projects provide.  The realigned schedule allows member companies, participants, and exhibitors to allocate time and resources more efficiently to better support these organizations and events and to enhance the value of the shared experience of our incredibly collaborative industry.”

The groups involved in the deliberations will ensure that some or all of their major annual events will be scheduled during one of the two designated weeks each year, which will be called “Cable Connection – Spring” and “Cable Connection – Fall.”  The participating groups include:

• The Association of Cable Communicators (ACC);
• Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau (CAB);
• The Cable Center;
• Cable Positive;
• Cable Pioneers;
• Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM);
• Cable Television Laboratories (CableLabs)
• The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC);
• NCTA;
• The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE); and
• The Walter Kaitz Foundation;
• Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).

A standing committee of representatives from several of the affected groups also has been created to continue working with the NCTA Board to advance the success of the new plan and help manage its operational requirements. 

The destination city for each week under the plan is likely to change annually.  However, the initial two weeks under the plan, for 2009, already have been devised and are expected to create the template for years beyond 2009.

During a period of several days beginning with April 2, 2009, the following events will be scheduled in Washington, DC:

• NCTA’s The Cable Show
• CableLabs’ Conference
• SCTE’s Emerging Technologies Conference
• CAB’s Annual Conference (integrated into The Cable Show)
• NAMIC’s Annual Awards Breakfast
• WICT Leadership Conference & Gala
• Cable Positive Power Awards Dinner
• Cable Pioneers annual dinner

During a period of several days beginning with October 25, 2009, the following events will be scheduled in Denver, CO.:

• CTAM Summit
• CableLabs seminar
• SCTE CableTEC Expo
• NCTA Board of Directors meeting, including joint meetings with the national boards of directors of NAMIC and WICT
• Walter Kaitz Foundation Annual Dinner
• NAMIC Annual Conference
• Cable Center Hall of Fame Dinner
• ACC Forum

Quotes from Association Leaders on the Re-Alignment Plan

Char Beales, President and CEO, CTAM:

“We’re looking forward to joining our colleagues in making Cable Connection – Fall a success.  This new structure offers us the opportunity to create a richer, more diverse experience for the industry, as we continue to help cable grow.”

John Clark, President and CEO, SCTE:

“The inclusion of SCTE’s Conference on Emerging Technologies and Cable-Tec Expo in these two Cable Connection weeks offers great opportunities to expand the knowledge transfer in the engineering space. And the new era of ‘linkage’ between technology and other cable functional areas shows that these linkage opportunities are more needed than ever.”

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, President and CEO, WICT:

“We are excited to partner with the NCTA and its member companies in this new venture. We trust that the re-alignment of cable industry events will allow WICT to reach beyond our core group of constituents and better communicate our brand and value to new audiences.”

Dr. Richard Green, President and CEO, CableLabs:

“CableLabs will refocus and integrate our conference planning.  We look forward to creating a comprehensive array of sessions and exhibits that will continue to advance our industry's leadership in telecommunications technology.  We are pleased to join with our colleagues to establish intra-industry connections to better serve the technical information and innovation needs of our members.”

Kathy Johnson, President, NAMIC:

“NAMIC's standing as a leading advocate for multi-ethnic diversity in communications has been achieved in large part through the support of the cable industry.  We look forward to the continued growth and success of our Annual Awards Breakfast and Annual NAMIC Conference within this new paradigm.”

Steve Jones, Executive Director, Association of Cable Communicators:

“The Association of Cable Communicators has been very pleased in this ongoing effort to work with our sister industry organization to create cost savings for our industry partners as well as continuing to have the opportunity to deliver superior educational and networking opportunities to our members.”

Larry Satkowiak, President and CEO, The Cable Center

“I expect that the consolidation will enhance The Cable Center's ability to advance its mission.  Having so many of our colleagues in one place should save us time and money as well. We look forward to seeing more of our friends at the annual Cable Hall of Fame event.”

Steve Villano, President and CEO, Cable Positive:

“The cable television industry is the only industry in the world which, 16 years ago, created a non-profit organization with the sole mission of HIV/AIDS awareness, education and prevention.  During that time, the industry has provided more than one billion dollars in pro-bono airtime for HIV/AIDS related messages & stories, and more than $20 million of cash support in over 40 states.  We’re gratified that the industry is taking the lead again with a commitment of support for Cable Positive’s mission from cable’s top leaders, and a funding mechanism to back it up.  It’s a shining illustration of forward-thinking corporate social responsibility, and an outstanding model of what Bill Gates has called, ‘Creative Capitalism.’”

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