ACA Connects: Independent Show 2020 Reimagines Broadband – Trailblazing in a Digital World

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania, Sept. 30 -- ACA Connects (America's Communications Association) issued the following news release:

The Independent Show 2020 has announced its speakers, sessions and member success stories as independent broadband companies gather virtually over three days this week to report on the challenges of managing and growing this vital industry amid all the hardships stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Produced by the National Cable Television Cooperative (NCTC) and ACA Connects, the three-day Independent Show will be held online on Sept. 29, Sept. 30, and Oct. 1, providing daily two-hour block sessions from 1:00 pm ET to 3:00 pm ET.

"ACA Connects is pleased to partner once again with NCTC to produce this important resource for our members. The pandemic demonstrates the essential role of broadband across America's small and medium-sized cities. Whether increasing network access to schools and health care centers or keeping employees working safely from home, our members continue to demonstrate broadband leadership to policymakers both in the Congress and at the Federal Communications Commission," ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.

"Our registration numbers are strong, demonstrating the value of the Independent Show to our members. Out of necessity, this year's show is completely 'reimagined,' and hundreds of independent cable and broadband operators will join online to uncover new strategies, share industry best practices, discuss regulatory updates and learn more about our suppliers and programmers. The panels and speakers are some of the best ever, and we are proud to work with ACA Connects to produce this 15th annual show for our members," NCTC CEO & President Rich Fickle said.

Please click here (https://www.theindependentshow.org/schedule2) for the full schedule and here (https://www.theindependentshow.org/speakers) for all event speakers.

Polka and Fickle are especially honored to welcome both U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.), and FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel to this year's show. Both will participate during Wednesday's online program. Rep. Doyle, who is Chairman of the House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, and Commissioner Rosenworcel have worked with ACAC and NCTC members to increase the potential of broadband for all.

Day One: Tuesday, Sept. 29th: The Independent Show opens with nationally known economist Marci Rossell, who will address the nexus among economics, politics, culture, and the media, followed by financial analyst Spencer Kurn, lead analyst for New Street Research, who will report on Wall Street's view of broadband investment opportunities.

Tuesday will also include a panel of eleven member CEOs who will cover issues ranging from their companies' COVID-19 response, to video and regulatory issues, to 'customer experience' and members' broadband future. Leaders from Cable One, Atlantic Broadband, Vast Broadband, BOYCOM, Hotwire, Vast Broadband, EPB, Ziply Fiber, Vyve, Stratus IQ and WOW! will offer their insights and observations.

Also on Tuesday, ACA Connects leaders will moderate a panel on retransmission consent reform. Speakers include Locast founder David Goodfriend, attorney Bruce Beard of Cinnamon Mueller and attorney Mike Nilsson of Harris Wiltshire & Grannis.

Day Two: Wednesday, September 30: This day's program features an overview of politics and policy with political journalist Ron Brownstein providing a current update on issues during the national elections. Rep. Doyle will provide a brief keynote Q&A for a panel called Broadband for All. Moderated by ACA Connects' Polka, this discussion will include Tom Williams, CTO of Schurz Communications, and Andy Walton, Head of Corporate Communications for Atlantic Broadband.

Also on Day Two: FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel will engage in a discussion with ACA Connects Chairman Patricia Jo Boyers, who is President of BOYCOM Vision. The conversation will focus on broadband policy at the FCC and efforts to close the digital divide and to ensure students can complete their homework online from home.

Day Three, October 1: The final day will focus on operational challenges facing independent broadband operators. One is "Pay TV and OTT Strategies," where the key question is whether, amid all the change, offering a managed video service is still important to broadband providers. Also open for discussion: Is the broadband-video bundle still vital? What are larger MVPDs doing to address the changes in video?

A second panel will discuss the customer experience as engagement continues to evolve, not only because of COVID-19, but because customers' expectations are continually changing. What are the key areas members are focused on to improve the customer experience?

Day Three's final panel led by NCTC's Fickle will examine broadband opportunities and risks. With broadband a foundational business and changing quickly, industry participants need to hear from peers about all the risk factors to consider as they plan for the next few years.

To follow this year's Independent Show on social media, please refer to these links for assistance:

For more details, please visit www.theindependentshow.org