Thank you for making the KTA-TNBA conference a big success!

Posted: October 27, 2022

Carrie Huckeby headshotEach conference I attend leaves me energized and excited for the future. This year’s KTA-TNBA Fall Conference and Supplier Showcase was no different. 

The joint conference brought together more than 425 registrants, 100 golfers, 96 vendor booths and many insightful presentations. I’m so grateful to our members, sponsors, vendors and attendees. It was our largest conference ever, and I truly can’t thank you enough! 

With an influx of federal and state money dedicated to broadband, it was helpful to hear the timely update from National Telecommunications and Information Administration leaders along with
Chip Spann, Federal Program Officer, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, Kentucky;
Paige Shapiro, Federal Program Officer, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, Tennessee;
Meghan Sandfoss, Executive Director, Kentucky Office of Broadband Development and
Taylre Beaty, State Broadband Director, Tennessee Economic and Community Development to open the conference. Their expertise is invaluable as our industry tries to solve concerns around supply chain resources and the competitive situations telecom members find as they strive to finish network builds on time. 

Additionally, I was enthused to hear about the work to educate young students on future workforce opportunities in the telecom industry during the Building Educational Bridges to Rural Economic Resilience panel discussion. At a time when young people have so many options for their future, we hope to pull these pieces together and create a program to remind students that college isn’t a one size fits all solution. I’m hopeful for the results as the TNBA helps to address workforce issues in the broadband industry.

These events bring like-minded people together to talk about the successes and challenges of our industry, and how we can work together to find a solution. Thank you for your help in making the KTA-TNBA conference a success. I’m already excited for next year!