Welcome to PR Vibes™, Created by Calysto Communications to provide you with key insights into the publications and events in the telecommunications industry. Today, we’re featuring a short interview with Ron Mathews, SUPERCOMM Event Director, EXPOCOMM EVENTS.
SUPERCOMM provides a foundation for the communications industry to explore the technological transformation created by broadband innovation.
To help you better understand SUPERCOMM’s focus this year and in the future, we asked Ron to share some of his insight on the event and on the future of telecommunications in general. We hope this is helpful for you!
PR Vibes Interview Q&A
What are some of the changes you have made to SUPERCOMM?
We are really excited about SUPERCOMM 2009. The show has a significant focus on broadband and broadband-enabled technologies. We are bringing in some very high-level speakers, ranging from Aneesh Chopra, America’s CTO, to the administrators from RUS and NTIA to provide insight to and support for the $7.2 broadband stimulus package grant application process. We are also introducing “Broadband Life,” a program showcasing broadband-enabled network technologies and the business solutions and services powered by broadband across various industries from healthcare to education.
What effect do you think changing the dates will have on the event? (Will it go back to June next year, or do you think you’ll stay with the Fall timeframe?)
SUPERCOMM 2009 was moved to coincide with the $7.2B broadband grant and loan programs as part of President Obama’s stimulus package and will stay in October. In fact, we have 2010 dates Oct. 26-28, 2010 in Chicago.
SUPERCOMM 2009 is now not only a forum to showcase products and technologies, but it also provides an opportunity for attendees to obtain information and direction on how to navigate the broadband stimulus application process in one location. We have created a program to take advantage of this important time in U.S. history where the need for and importance of broadband access comes to the forefront.
Through co-owning associations TIA and US Telecom, SUPERCOMM 2009 is offering attendees exclusive education and insights into the FCC’s schedule and requirements. The increased relevance of the conference is extremely beneficial for service providers, attendees and presenters providing educational seminars and panels.
SUPERCOMM will continue to evolve to ensure that it remains a value-add for attendees and exhibitors serving the communications sector. We continue to identify opportunities to make SUPERCOMM even more relevant, interactive and educational, including panels, workshops, educational seminars, webinars and other programs.
What is the main focus of SUPERCOMM?
SUPERCOMM 2009 is focused on all issues impacting the telecom sector, but with a particular emphasis on broadband, coinciding with the $7.2B broadband grant and loan programs as part of President Obama’s stimulus package. In addition, we will be highlighting new products, technologies and services that enable business to be conducted more productively and efficiently through the use of broadband-enabling technologies.
We are covering all aspects of broadband from both the business and consumer perspectives through our Broadband Life initiative, which is a forum that fosters the discussion of key broadband-related issues that impact all aspects of our daily lives, including healthcare, education, media and entertainment, business and environmental issues.
Who are you expecting to attend?
SUPERCOMM 2009 is focused on attracting a high quality audience and exhibitor list that accurately reflects this year’s focus on broadband. Our focus on the key issues impacting the telecom sector will help ensure that the “right” audience is in attendance, including speakers, exhibitors and attendees, and our efforts related to attendance are focused on ensuring a high-quality exhibitor and attendee base, whereby relationships can be developed and business can be conducted.
Pre-registration includes a diverse but focused audience within the telecom sector. First-time participation from TiVO, NBC Universal and others at the forefront of digital, content and broadband-intensive applications are coming as a result of a very dynamic and ever-evolving industry. In addition, companies like AT&T are bringing their “green fleet” experience on the show floor, where there will be a suite of vehicles that are equipped with technologies that are designed to reduce emissions and increase overall efficiency.
Who are you expecting to exhibit?
We will have exhibitors from companies representing a variety of areas within the telecom sector, including wireline and wireless service providers, equipment makers and software developers. There will also be companies and firms that do not operate directly in telecommunications, but whose businesses are closely tied to the telecom industry in some form such as digital media and entertainment. The exhibitors list truly represents the concept of “Broadband Life.”
How many are you expecting to attend?
We are focused on having the “right” audience in attendance and are increasing our efforts on providing points of interaction with exhibitors, attendees and others in attendance, whereby relationships can be developed and business can be conducted. We are conducting targeted and personal outreach to retain past exhibitors and attendees, as well as attract new exhibitors and attendees, as appropriate.
How many companies are you expecting to exhibit?
Our exhibitor list represents a virtual “who’s who” in telecom and includes companies servicing all aspects of the telecom life cycle.
Where do you expect attendees to spend the majority of their time – on the show floor or in the programs? How do you intend to drive traffic to the show floor?
We anticipate that attendees will split their time between the impressive line-up of keynotes and conference sessions and the show floor. In fact, the educational sessions are scheduled so as not to coincide with show floor hours, giving attendees every opportunity to find the technological innovations and new products and services that will enhance productivity at the enterprise level while gaining valuable information and education pertinent to their professions.
In addition to the technological advancements of the suppliers on the show floor that drive attendance, we have an exploration theater with a full-schedule of new presentations.
What can attendees expect from the conference portion of the event?
SUPERCOMM can expect highly relevant and timely educational seminars and workshops, hosted by industry insiders aimed at helping companies navigate the broadband grant and loan programs, as well as other critical aspects of the ever-changing telecom landscape.
What can attendees expect from the keynotes? What can attendees expect from the show floor? What special features/events are you planning for the show?
With a focus on broadband technologies and innovation, this year SUPERCOMM will bring together some of the world’s foremost leaders in telecommunications, broadband and technology.
We are delivering an impressive lineup of keynote speakers including Aneesh Chopra, Chief Technology Officer of the U.S. and Associate Director for Technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; Jonathan Adelstein, Administrator, Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and Larry Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information and Administrator, National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
What do you expect will be hot topics at this year’s SUPERCOMM?
A hot button issue will definitely surround the subject of broadband, in particular the $7.2B broadband grant and loan programs as part of President Obama’s stimulus package. Many of our attendees are in various stages of application, with some having filed in the late summer, and others debating applying for the second wave. This is why we are placing such a large effort on helping companies navigate the process and become better educated.
Furthermore, Broadband Life is a new forum for the industry to source, network and learn about the increasing impact of broadband technology and its impact on business and social lives. This will include a focus on the innovations in broadband-enabled technologies and applications across several vertical industries form healthcare to education that are impacting our daily lives. Co-owning associations, US Telecom and TIA have committed educational sessions on social media and ‘green,’ are conducting committee meetings and international gatherings to great response.
What is one thing about SUPERCOMM that most people don’t know?
There are some impressive stats related to SUPERCOMM that often get overlooked:
· 51% of attendees expect their corporations’ total purchases to be a direct result from attending the show
· 41% of attendees do not attend any other trade show
· 61% of attendees discuss products seen at the show with a peer
· 38% of attendees look for new suppliers
· 50% of attendees represent service providers/network resellers
· 60% of attendees are directly involved in technology investment decisions
What are your goals for the event?
With broadband stimulus funds on the horizon, potential recipients are evaluating how they will allocate capital. We aim to provide a place where representatives from a variety of telecom-related businesses can educate themselves on broadband stimulus and foster business relationships.
We are also looking to promote our Broadband Life forum.
What’s keeping you up at night?
Ensuring that exhibitors, attendees and presenters are all able to take in as much of the show’s offerings as possible, all within a limited time frame given the economic impact. Between our educational programs and seminars, keynote speakers, panels and a great floor of exhibitors to go see, it is going to be hard to take advantage of all that SUPERCOMM has to offer. We recommend that telecommunications professionals spend some pre-event planning time to ensure that they see and participate in everything that will help them be more productive over the course of the event.