From the Executive Director – Fall 2016

Working together 

After years of getting together with our fellow telcos in Kentucky, it’s easy to overlook a few things. The joint KTA-TTA conference coming up later this month in Bowling Green is an event I look forward to every year. Sure, a big reason for that is seeing old friends and hearing from the speakers. There’s also the entertainment, good food and an outstanding vendor showcase.

But my favorite thing about the joint fall conference is what it represents. Independent telcos from across two great states will come together to focus on getting better at what we do. We’ll learn together about emerging trends in the industry. We’ll refine our leadership skills. We’ll hear about new technology that can improve our customers’ lives. And there will be a cooperative spirit of helping each other get better.

When it comes down to it, we have a lot in common with our telco brethren in Kentucky. We both serve many rural areas in states facing plenty of economic and educational challenges. We both often have to fight against giant, urban competitors that can overshadow much of the good work our companies are doing. And in the legislature, we both often go up against the army of lobbyists those corporations can throw into an issue.

Given those similarities, I think there are many things we can learn from each other, and that cross-pollination of ideas is part of why I enjoy this conference so much.
Since the members of TTA and KTA have gotten along so well for so many years, it’s easy to assume it’s that way across the country. Unfortunately that’s not always the case.
We’re very fortunate to have such a great partner in KTA.

For those of you who have not met the new executive director of KTA, Tyler Campbell, be sure to introduce yourself. Tyler comes from a background of advocating for municipalities in the Kentucky legislators, and in his first year on the job, he’s already making good progress as the voice of independent telcos in the Bluegrass State.

At the conference, let’s enjoy ourselves. Let’s learn new things. But let’s also remember how important it is to work together for the good of our industry, our companies and ultimately our customers.