There is a saying that we have used a great deal in our industry: “May you live in interesting times.” While seemingly a blessing, this saying is used ironically during challenging times. Well, this past year and a half has been nothing if not challenging and interesting but I continue to be impressed with the passion and resilience of our entire industry sector, the work you have done for your subscribers, and the enthusiasm that our NTCA family has for gathering in-person in Nashville for our Fall Conference in just a few weeks. Given the daily changing headlines regarding safety protocols and as many other associations continue to pivot, turn and virtualize, I wanted to reiterate the message that we had sent to our membership last week to ensure that you have seen it and understand the great deal of care and deliberation that went into making this decision.
We have been working very closely with our NTCA Board Chairman Fred Johnson (CEO of Farmers in Alabama) and the entire NTCA Board of Directors, and we have mutually concluded that the only way we can safely proceed with our upcoming Fall Conference is to put a mask mandate and other enhanced safety protocols in place. We know that this industry is anxious to hit the road, network, compare notes on all the robust broadband deployment underway, and to meet with all of you who are so critical to their operations and success. While other large conferences are requiring vaccines and others are cancelling outright, we hope that our members and our associate community will appreciate the careful path we have carved out.
Our goals are to keep the safety of our collective community top of mind and still be able to conduct the business that this industry needs to accomplish. We appreciate your support on all of those goals as well.
More to follow in the days ahead but I wanted to share this message again to ensure all those planning to come to Nashville know what to expect as well as to thank our membership in advance for supporting safe ways to move our industry forward in a collaborative fashion.
And even more importantly, I wanted to share this message directly from Fred Johnson himself. No one can share thoughts with their peers like Fred can and I have truly appreciated his leadership during these “interesting” times.
Dear NTCA Member,
As we near the end of the summer, many of us are traveling more, and it has felt good to see so many of you as I have crisscrossed the country to state meetings and other industry events. At NTCA we are looking forward to a busy fall, as we get ready to convene our first large event in well over a year with the upcoming Fall Conference + EXPO, September 19-22, in Nashville. While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose significant challenges to gathering safely under the same roof, the NTCA Board of Directors and staff are committed to measures intended to help safeguard the health and safety of our attendees, members, and speakers while continuing to host productive and effective meetings.
In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide, and particularly the highly transmissible Delta variant, we are taking additional precautions to protect our event participants, including those planning to join the Fall Conference. Earlier this summer, NTCA adopted updated guidance by the Centers for Disease Control recommending that everyone in areas of substantial or high transmission wear a mask in public indoor places, even if they are fully vaccinated. Today we are announcing that for everyone’s safety, masks will be required for admission to all official events at upcoming NTCA conferences, including the Fall Conference. Please know that there is no political motive as we make this decision. This measure is being implemented solely for the benefit of the health and welfare of our attendees, and we feel it is a sensible and prudent path to promote gathering safely at this moment in time. We continue to monitor the situation and these requirements may change.
While we hope to see as many of you as possible in Nashville, please do not to travel to a NTCA meeting if 1) you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms at the time you are scheduled to travel, or 2) you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days prior to travel or have had a positive COVID-19 test within 10 days of travel, regardless of symptoms.
As a timely reminder, the Fall Conference is a hybrid experience allowing registrants to participate in all general and concurrent sessions on-site, online or in combination with a live streaming option. You will have the flexibility to participate in sessions, exchange information with exhibitors and network with peers on-site in Nashville or online from anywhere. We hope this hybrid approach will allow more people to enjoy the conference, whether from the Gaylord Opryland or the comfort of your home or office. We encourage you to take advantage of this technology solution instead of cancelling altogether. There are so many critical things happening in our industry right now. You don't want to miss out on the discussions!
If you are not able to attend the Fall Conference—whether in person or online—because of a COVID-19 related reason, including being unable to follow our safety protocols, a full registration refund will be provided with hopes that our paths will cross soon.
Our team is so grateful for the work you are doing and that you have chosen to be a part of the NTCA community. As we look to move beyond this pandemic, I know that if we work together, we will overcome any challenges we face. I encourage you to review our complete Health and Safety Protocols for In-Person Events available on our website. If you have questions or would like to seek a Fall Conference registration refund, please contact [email protected] or (703) 351-2118.
