August 2, 2019

ACA Connects Wraps Up 14th Independent Show On High Note

Chicago Forum Highlights Included Policy Updates On Cybersecurity, Policy Trends In Washington, D.C.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]

CHICAGO, August 2, 2019 — Record attendance and a bustling exhibit hall, coupled with a robust agenda that featured national speakers and detailed analysis on current policy trends, were key highlights at this year’s Independent Show in Chicago.

ACA Connects co-sponsored the three-day event with traditional partner, the National Cable Television Cooperative, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

During the event, ACA Connects announced a new leadership team on the Board of Directors, with BOYCOM Vision President Patricia Jo Boyers becoming Chairman of ACA Connects and Cable ONE COO Mike Bowker becoming Vice Chairman.

ACA Connects honored with its Chairman’s Award the service of former MCTV President Robert Gessner, who stepped down this week as ACA Connects Chairman after five years in the position.

On Wednesday, ACA Connects senior staff led a wide-ranging discussion on the policy issues that are currently under review at the Federal Communications Commission and in Congress and are of critical importance to ACA Connects members. Dozens of ACA Connects members also participated in detailed panel discussions that addressed trends in operations, workforce and broadband products.

“We’re thrilled our members joined us in Chicago to be part of this exciting industry event. Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was a keynote speaker, who addressed the challenges of strategic communications in a fast-paced media world. Cybersecurity expert Bill Conner, CEO of SonicWall, addressed our members about the risks and threats in today’s rapidly changing cyber environment,” ACA Connects President and CEO Matthew M. Polka said.

ACA Connects held its traditional Washington, D.C., policy update at this year’s Independent Show. Much of the discussion centered on retransmission consent reform as Congress considers renewal of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization Act of 2014 (STELAR) as well as ACA Connects’ proposal to re-purpose C-Band spectrum that should allow independent video providers to receive programming feeds via fiber connection and the government to receive billions in auction revenue.

Leading the policy discussion were ACA Connects Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ross Lieberman and ACA Connects Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Brian Hurley. Both identified key topics facing ACA Connects members in the regulatory arena, with key thoughts and input provided by panelists Tom Cohen, attorney at Kelley Drye; Ansley Erdel, Executive Vice President at the Alpine Group; and Mike Nilsson, attorney at Harris, Wiltshire and Grannis.

About ACA Connects: America’s Communications Association: Based in Pittsburgh, ACA Connects is a trade organization representing more than 700 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA Connects’ members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org.