2009 Technical and Marketing Symposium Presentations

Tuesday, November 3

9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.: Welcome Remarks and Keynote Speaker

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Breakout Tracks

  • Technical:
    • Peering in an IP World (Part 1 of 2)
      • This two-part session will explain what peering is, the technology required, and the provider relationships needed in order to optimize costs and increase revenue in the global markets in which IP-enabled networks will participate:
  • Marketing:
    • Bundlemania 2.0
      Anita Fledderman, Enhanced Telecommunications Corp.
      Margaret Hines, Inspire Marketing LLC
      Chris Purdy, PTCI
      • You've implemented a successful bundle, but how do you maintain that success?  This session will cover how to keep your bundle relevant and explore what the "big guys" are doing with their bundles.  You'll also hear case study updates from companies that presented their strategies at previous symposiums and how they continue to reap benefits from their bundle strategies.

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Lunch with Exhibitors

2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Breakout Tracks

  • Technical:

  • Marketing:
    • Magic Numbers: Reducing Churn and Increasing Retention
      Brenda Cordwell, John Staurulakis, Inc.
      Mike Meinel, Solarus
      • Don't waste your valuable marketing dollars acquiring new customers who slip through your fingers a few months later.  Build a safety net of proven churn prevention strategies and customer retention programs.  Hear from OPASTCO members who have successfully reduced churn in their service areas and have used proven win-back strategies, loyalty programs, and other means to show their customer appreciation.
    • Inbound Marketing 101: What Is It?  Why Do It?  How It Will Change Your Life... or at Least Your Marketing Plan
      Mike Volpe, HubSpot (Sponsored by Associated Network Partners, Inc.)
      • Social media has created a major stir in the marketing world.  Some already have jumped in, while others still sit and watch at the sidelines.  Some have found success, but most have not.  Moreover, many are still sifting through trends versus truths.  That's where Mike Volpe, HubSpot's vice president inbound marketing, can help.  "Inbound marketing" occurs when you help your company "get found" by people shopping for the services you provide.  After this interactive session, you will understand inbound marketing efforts.  Topics will include search engine optimization, blogging, social media and landing pages.

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.: Reception with Exhibitors

Wednesday, November 4

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.: Breakfast with Exhibitors

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Breakout Tracks

  • Technical:
    • Home Networks and Applications
      • 9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.: Connecting Home Networks
        Rob Gelphman, MoCA
        Lawrence Thome, Firecomms
        Michael Weissman, Coppergate
        • This session will include a panel discussion on how to connect your home network components.  One method would be to use existing wiring such as telephone wiring or coaxial cable, and perhaps even electrical wiring.  Another method could be the use of technologies such as femtocells, CAT 5 wire, or plastic optical fiber
      • 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Managing the Access to the Home Network
        Chuck Flournoy, Mapcom Systems
        • Once your customers' home network components are successfully connected, you then will need to know how to manage and support the network's access for your customers.
  • Marketing:
    • Marketing ROI
      Tim Owens, Cronin Communications
      • In today's competitive telecommunications environment, it is critical for companies to use an analytical process for measuring the success of their marketing campaigns.  This presentation will discuss what you need to measure and successfully implement a process to capture this data.  Topics for discussion include: key performance metrics, quantifying customer demand, competitive analysis, customer churn, return on investment (ROI), and service penetration forecasting.

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Closing General Session (Both Tracks)

  • 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: OPASTCO and the Transition to the IP World
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: OPASTCO leadership briefing on OPASTCO's efforts to join the IP evolution/revolution
    Ron Laudner, 2009 OPASTCO Second Vice Chairman
    John Rose, OPASTCO President