2019 Free Workshops

Six free, two-hour preconference deep-dive workshops kick off the Summit. Expect hands-on, how-to, practical advice from leading experts. 

Monday, April 8

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Workshop #1  

Financial Modeling for Community Networks

Our popular staff explanation of the latest versions of Broadband Communities' financial models. We'll concentrate on MDU business cases as well as rural models and strategies to follow to take advantage of the money coming out of the federal government. Attendees get all models on a free thumb drive.

Moderator: 
Steve Ross - Editor-at-Large, Broadband Communities

Presenter:
Curtis Dean – President, Smart Source Consulting

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Workshop #2  

Advanced Broadband Technology 101

Moderator: 
Joanne Hovis - President, CTC Technology & Energy

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Workshop #3  

How to Create a Virtual Telehealth Center Using Community Broadband

Lessons covered include:

• How to conduct an effective needs analysis
• How to develop an effective telehealth strategy
• How to design your telehealth center
• How to effectively fund and market your center

Moderator:  
Craig Settles - President, CJ Speaks

Presenters:
Eric Brown – President, California Telehealth Network, President, OCHIN Broadband Network Services (OBNS)
Dr. Milton Chen – Founder and CEO, VSee and This American Doc
Becky Jones – Program Manager, Texas/Louisiana Telehealth Resource Center
Carly McCord Ph.D – Director of TeleBehavioral Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center and Clinical Services of the Telehealth Counseling Clinic (TCC)

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2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Workshop #4  

Best Broadband Infrastructure for Each Building Type

Moderator: 
Tom Stender – President & CEO, InfiniSys 

Presenters: 
Taylor P. Jones – VP, Technology Solutions, Boingo Wireless
Cory Douglas – Executive Vice President Deployment and Construction, Pavlov Media
Shawn Cullingford – MDU/CRE Systems Architect, Ruckus Networks, an ARRIS Company
Kara Mullaley – Global FTTx Marketing Manager, Corning Optical Communications

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Workshop #5  

Co-ops 101: Questions and Challenges Cooperatives Face in Evaluating a Broadband Deployment

Based on the noise, you would think every coop is moving forward to develop a broadband deployment. But there are many that have decided NOT to build – for any number of reasons. Let's clear up the confusion for those just starting out, including just exactly what a feasibility study should include. Do you want a market study? Capital expense budget and operational study? A business plan? You'll go home knowing where (and how) to start.

Moderator: 
Kristy Szabo – Director of Consulting, VantagePoint

Presenters: 
Dave Frigen – Chief Operating Officer, Wabash Communications
Michael Wachtmann – Technology Solutions Manager, RTC Fiber Communications, Indiana
Mark Batman – President & CEO, Marshall County REMC, Indiana

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4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Workshop #6  

Intelligent Multifamily Communities – How to Maximize the Benefits and Mitigate the Risk of the Internet of Things

Smart Technology is becoming essential to any apartment. However, many solutions are nascent, nebulous and costly. This year, a disturbing number of deployments have not even been code compliant. This session will identify the differing IoT elements and strategies used in multifamily. While no one can foretell precisely the apartment of the future, you will leave this session prepared ways to maximize benefits and mitigate risk in an evolving industry.

Learning Objectives:

• Evaluate the two smart multifamily strategies being pursued by multifamily communities today
• Explore the elements of a connected apartment and community
• Understand how intelligent multifamily community solutions integrate with smart lock and access control systems 
• Examine how intelligent communities will enhance leasing, operations and resident amenities
• Review the value of community wide networks and including high-speed Internet access in every resident’s rent.

Moderator: 
Henry Pye – Vice President, Residential Technology Services, RealPage, Inc.

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