1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:04,460 Intro: The following program is brought to you by the Tennessee Broadband Association. 2 00:00:04,880 --> 00:00:10,580 Lead Tennessee Radio, conversations with the leaders moving our state forward. 3 00:00:10,610 --> 00:00:18,200 We look at the issues shaping Tennessee's future: rural development, public policy, broadband, 4 00:00:18,200 --> 00:00:22,760 healthcare and other topics impacting our communities. 5 00:00:23,180 --> 00:00:27,830 Carrie Huckeby: Hello, I'm Carrie Huckeby, the executive director of the Tennessee Broadband Association. 6 00:00:27,830 --> 00:00:35,750 And my guest on this episode of Lead Tennessee Radio is no stranger in the broadband industry or to the hallways 7 00:00:35,750 --> 00:00:37,730 of the Kentucky Capitol. 8 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:43,400 Tyler Campbell is the executive director of the Kentucky Rural Broadband Association. 9 00:00:43,430 --> 00:00:44,730 Welcome, Tyler. 10 00:00:44,750 --> 00:00:51,230 I appreciate your time. I know you're busy with speaking engagements and meetings, so thanks for being here. 11 00:00:51,440 --> 00:00:55,170 Tyler Campbell: I always appreciate the opportunity to be on Lead Tennessee. 12 00:00:55,190 --> 00:01:00,080 I really enjoy listening to your podcast, and it's always good to be a part of it. 13 00:01:00,270 --> 00:01:07,950 Carrie Huckeby: Thanks, Tyler. Well, the Kentucky Tennessee Fall Conference, as you well know, we've been chatting a lot about it and discussing 14 00:01:07,950 --> 00:01:09,300 the upcoming agenda. 15 00:01:09,300 --> 00:01:10,740 But it's right around the corner. 16 00:01:10,740 --> 00:01:13,080 It's October 10th through the 12th. 17 00:01:13,320 --> 00:01:19,380 New location this year in Franklin, Tennessee, at the Franklin Cool Springs Marriott. 18 00:01:19,410 --> 00:01:27,090 But before we jump in and talk about the fall conference, I know big news is that you rolled out a new name, 19 00:01:27,090 --> 00:01:31,230 new logo, back at your conference at the end of May. 20 00:01:31,260 --> 00:01:39,240 So I just wanted to pick your brain a little bit about that to see what the objective was behind changing your name and how 21 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:40,110 that's going. 22 00:01:40,530 --> 00:01:42,720 Tyler Campbell: Well, thanks. I appreciate the question. 23 00:01:42,720 --> 00:01:50,640 And I think it's like a lot of folks now, you know, you analyze your marketing strategy and your core missions 24 00:01:50,640 --> 00:01:51,720 every so often. 25 00:01:51,720 --> 00:01:57,930 And as part of our strategic plan for the association, we were really taking a look at our mission statement and what our focus 26 00:01:57,930 --> 00:02:01,130 was going to be over a 3 to 5 year period. 27 00:02:01,130 --> 00:02:08,880 We met a lot of objectives that we were trying to do at the Capitol and marketing and appealing and our social 28 00:02:08,880 --> 00:02:12,570 media was all a part of our focus of our strategic plan. 29 00:02:12,570 --> 00:02:18,030 And one of the things we wanted to really do was take a look at who our members are, who we really represented. 30 00:02:18,270 --> 00:02:23,670 You know, our association has existed in some form or fashion since 1937. 31 00:02:23,820 --> 00:02:29,880 At one time, it was the Kentucky Independent Telephone Association, the Kentucky Telephone Association, and then back in 32 00:02:29,880 --> 00:02:37,530 2010, you know, obviously as access lines and Internet became more of a focus, we went from the 33 00:02:37,530 --> 00:02:42,180 telephone association back in 2010 to the telecom association, Kentucky Telecom Association. 34 00:02:42,180 --> 00:02:50,160 And, you know, it was just another opportunity for us to sit down and, you know, after another ten year period had 35 00:02:50,160 --> 00:02:53,190 passed, you know, our focus really has been on broadband. 36 00:02:53,190 --> 00:02:57,180 And we really are the voice of Kentucky's rural broadband providers. 37 00:02:57,660 --> 00:03:05,580 So we wanted to really hone in on that and have our name echo who we really are, what our core mission and values are. 38 00:03:05,580 --> 00:03:09,990 And so that's what we did with the rebranding of our name. 39 00:03:09,990 --> 00:03:14,400 We focused on having rural as part of our name. 40 00:03:14,700 --> 00:03:22,590 We wanted to separate ourselves from other groups that may have broadband in their name or cable and broadband, because we 41 00:03:22,590 --> 00:03:26,490 really are Kentucky's premier trade association for the rural broadband industry. 42 00:03:26,490 --> 00:03:33,060 And so that's why the Kentucky Rural Broadband Association's name was selected by our board. 43 00:03:33,060 --> 00:03:36,060 And I've been really happy with the results. 44 00:03:36,450 --> 00:03:43,200 You know, we were pretty well known as a telecom association, but I think the rollout has been very nice and steady. 45 00:03:43,620 --> 00:03:46,140 You know, we started the process last year. 46 00:03:46,260 --> 00:03:53,820 We went through several iterations of a new logo design, and we really wanted something that 47 00:03:54,030 --> 00:04:01,050 appealed not only to our rural and agricultural roots here in Kentucky, but also, you know, obviously what we do, bringing 48 00:04:01,050 --> 00:04:05,010 world class broadband to some of the most remote areas of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 49 00:04:05,010 --> 00:04:07,170 And I think you see that reflected in our logo. 50 00:04:07,170 --> 00:04:11,190 And we certainly are very happy with the results that we've seen. 51 00:04:12,060 --> 00:04:14,550 I think we've gotten a lot of compliments on our logo. 52 00:04:14,700 --> 00:04:20,010 People are very receptive to our mission and our focus being the Rural Broadband Association. 53 00:04:20,010 --> 00:04:27,360 So I've received a lot of positive comments both from our association members, our associate members, our vendors and also 54 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:29,670 individuals that I've interacted with at the Capitol. 55 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,790 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, I think it's a good idea. 56 00:04:32,790 --> 00:04:35,010 It was a great idea. It looks good. 57 00:04:35,460 --> 00:04:38,100 I have to ask, do you have a jar sitting around? 58 00:04:38,100 --> 00:04:45,710 We had to do that with, or we laughed about doing it, is having a jar sitting around for every time you called us "TTA" instead 59 00:04:45,710 --> 00:04:52,110 of "TNBA." Do you have a KTA jar where you have to throw in a dollar every time you use the old name? 60 00:04:52,110 --> 00:04:54,420 Tyler Campbell: Yeah, a lot of people still say KTA. 61 00:04:54,420 --> 00:05:00,530 And the hardest thing for me to do is when I answer the phone at the office is to remind myself to say, "This is Kentucky Rural 62 00:05:00,530 --> 00:05:07,100 Broadband Association." I still want to say, you know, "This is KTA." And so I do kind of have that jar there where I'm sitting 63 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:12,590 there to remind myself. I do have like a little sticky note next to my phone that just says, "Say, Kentucky Rural Broadband 64 00:05:12,590 --> 00:05:13,430 Association." 65 00:05:13,640 --> 00:05:17,480 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, sometimes that habit is hard to break, isn't it? 66 00:05:17,480 --> 00:05:21,800 Tyler Campbell: And it really is. And especially when, you know, you've had a lot of success. 67 00:05:21,980 --> 00:05:27,140 You know, I know TTA has had a lot of success down there, and now with TNBA and you know, you get used to that. 68 00:05:27,140 --> 00:05:30,440 People get used to it, and the same with our association. 69 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:37,130 So it's a little bit of a change, a sea change for us, but I think most people are starting to adapt to it. 70 00:05:37,130 --> 00:05:44,870 I'm excited to, you know, continue to have the name out there, particularly for our first fall conference 71 00:05:44,870 --> 00:05:47,330 under the new association name. 72 00:05:47,330 --> 00:05:50,360 Carrie Huckeby: So registration is open for the conference. 73 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:53,780 The hotel block is filling up pretty fast. 74 00:05:53,810 --> 00:06:01,560 We have space, I think, for about almost 100 tabletops this year, and about a third of those are sold, I believe, the last 75 00:06:01,560 --> 00:06:02,860 time that we talked. 76 00:06:02,860 --> 00:06:05,130 Speaker proposals are coming in. 77 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:08,490 We were very fortunate to get several of those. 78 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:11,880 Looks like it's going to be a good turnout, Tyler. 79 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:16,530 What can attendees expect to see and hear on the agenda? 80 00:06:16,950 --> 00:06:19,820 Tyler Campbell: Yeah, I think you're going to see a great turnout. 81 00:06:19,830 --> 00:06:25,380 Our registration numbers are exceeding this point in time compared to last year. 82 00:06:25,500 --> 00:06:32,580 You're right. It's over a third now of the booths for the supplier showcase, the table tops for the supplier showcase, have 83 00:06:32,580 --> 00:06:34,140 already been reserved. 84 00:06:34,140 --> 00:06:41,070 And so, I think you're going to see a very well attended meeting from both our member companies, our telco member companies, but 85 00:06:41,070 --> 00:06:45,090 also associate members from both associations. 86 00:06:45,180 --> 00:06:48,870 And I think you're going to see a great group of speakers that we have. 87 00:06:48,870 --> 00:06:52,350 We've invited some top notch speakers to come in. 88 00:06:52,350 --> 00:06:53,880 We're still working on those. 89 00:06:53,880 --> 00:06:57,900 But our speaker proposals, I will say, are very interesting. 90 00:06:57,900 --> 00:07:03,240 I mean, we have everything ranging from some of the hottest topics in the industry today, talking about cybersecurity and 91 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,060 artificial intelligence and what that can mean for your telco. 92 00:07:06,810 --> 00:07:13,020 You know, there's others that are ranging from strategic planning, you know, what succession planning look like for your 93 00:07:13,020 --> 00:07:14,970 association, workforce development. 94 00:07:14,970 --> 00:07:20,100 And then, you know, you're always going to have that experience at the supplier showcase with seeing the latest and greatest in 95 00:07:20,100 --> 00:07:22,620 technology and advancements for your telco. 96 00:07:22,620 --> 00:07:28,650 And so we have a lot of suppliers that are, I think, very excited to participate in this year's meeting. 97 00:07:28,650 --> 00:07:34,440 And again, as I stated just a few moments ago, I mean, we're seeing registration numbers that well exceed what we did last 98 00:07:34,440 --> 00:07:39,210 year. So I think it's going to be one of the most well attended fall conferences that we've ever had. 99 00:07:39,210 --> 00:07:40,470 Carrie Huckeby: Yes, I think so, too. 100 00:07:40,470 --> 00:07:42,090 And I'm looking forward to it. 101 00:07:42,090 --> 00:07:49,200 And on that note, you and I have had conversations about how much we enjoy talking to our members and networking with our 102 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:50,670 members at our conferences. 103 00:07:50,670 --> 00:07:56,700 That gives us a chance to do that at our annual meeting and then at the the fall meeting. 104 00:07:57,090 --> 00:08:04,260 But we've talked about how many new faces we're seeing, and new companies that are becoming members of both of our 105 00:08:04,260 --> 00:08:08,430 associations, and they're grabbing a tabletop at the show. 106 00:08:08,670 --> 00:08:16,500 So from our member broadband companies, who can the vendors expect to see in attendance walking around the showcase? 107 00:08:16,500 --> 00:08:21,840 And, you know, why is this such a good opportunity to have a tabletop at the show? 108 00:08:21,870 --> 00:08:24,810 Tyler Campbell: Yeah, I think that this show is really unique in a lot of ways. 109 00:08:24,810 --> 00:08:27,870 I think, one, you just have great participation from both associations. 110 00:08:28,560 --> 00:08:35,820 You will generally have key employees, whether you have a lot of GMs and CEOs that take part in this meeting. 111 00:08:35,820 --> 00:08:43,140 But you also have their CFOs, the the CTOs, the chief technology officers, their central office 112 00:08:43,140 --> 00:08:46,230 supervisors, their main network engineers. 113 00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:48,390 Those are the individuals that attend this meeting. 114 00:08:48,390 --> 00:08:55,260 So the folks that actually make the decisions on what they are going to purchase and look at in terms of putting these products 115 00:08:55,260 --> 00:09:00,540 in place in their network in order to implement any kind of equipment changes or upgrades. 116 00:09:00,540 --> 00:09:02,760 Those are the individuals that participate in the show. 117 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:10,110 So if you're a vendor out there that you're on the fence about participating, I would highly urge you to reserve your tabletop 118 00:09:10,110 --> 00:09:11,370 as soon as possible. 119 00:09:11,610 --> 00:09:16,500 As Carrie already mentioned, the hotels are filling up fast, but the supplier showcase, the tabletops, are going quick. 120 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:19,590 And so we're just a couple of months out now. 121 00:09:19,590 --> 00:09:24,000 And so those tabletops will get harder and harder to come by the longer you wait. 122 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:31,140 So I always think this show is so unique in the fact that you do have such great participation from the telcos. 123 00:09:31,140 --> 00:09:35,040 And it really is the decision makers at those telcos that participate in this meeting. 124 00:09:35,340 --> 00:09:42,930 Carrie Huckeby: I agree. And for those that are new to this upcoming show, and just as a reminder to the 125 00:09:42,930 --> 00:09:45,750 others, what's the breakdown of the agenda? 126 00:09:45,780 --> 00:09:50,790 The days are October 10th through the 12th, but tell us what happens on each of those days. 127 00:09:50,790 --> 00:09:56,800 Tyler Campbell: Yeah, I always refer to our first day as like our networking day, that Tuesday. 128 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,220 You get a chance to get settled and to really acclimate to the conference. 129 00:09:59,750 --> 00:10:07,520 But that Tuesday, we are going to have our annual luncheon and golf scramble between our Kentucky and 130 00:10:07,520 --> 00:10:10,520 Tennessee members and our vendor members this year. 131 00:10:10,520 --> 00:10:15,440 So Tuesday afternoon, we will be out at the golf course. 132 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,910 So Towhee Golf Club, a beautiful course. 133 00:10:17,910 --> 00:10:19,530 Carrie and I were able to tour it. 134 00:10:19,530 --> 00:10:24,830 And I know your folks have played there during your annual meeting, annual convention, back in June. 135 00:10:24,860 --> 00:10:26,300 Carrie Huckeby: They did and enjoyed it. 136 00:10:26,300 --> 00:10:27,620 Tyler Campbell: It's a wonderful golf course. 137 00:10:27,620 --> 00:10:31,150 So that first networking day, we will have golf. 138 00:10:31,150 --> 00:10:34,850 We will have registration that will open back at the hotel later in the afternoon. 139 00:10:34,850 --> 00:10:39,980 And later that evening, we will have a welcome reception for all of our guests. 140 00:10:39,980 --> 00:10:47,540 And then Wednesday, the 11th, October the 11th, that's the meeting day where we have all of our sessions. 141 00:10:47,540 --> 00:10:55,460 So you have your general sessions in the morning, followed by a business luncheon, and then we will have our 142 00:10:55,580 --> 00:10:58,220 series of breakout sessions later that afternoon. 143 00:10:58,220 --> 00:11:03,120 And then later that evening, like I said, being from the South, Kentucky and Tennessee, we like to feed you. 144 00:11:03,120 --> 00:11:05,970 So we'll have another reception later that evening. 145 00:11:05,970 --> 00:11:13,530 But Wednesday is really one of those days where you have an opportunity to hear from some of the best and the brightest in 146 00:11:13,530 --> 00:11:15,810 terms of what's out there in our industry. 147 00:11:15,810 --> 00:11:21,900 The latest happening in both Washington DC, what may be happening with your network from some of our vendor members, what 148 00:11:21,900 --> 00:11:27,630 they're seeing. And then like I said earlier, those hot topics that you're really seeing that are just now filtering out into 149 00:11:27,630 --> 00:11:32,100 the broadband space, like artificial intelligence and how that impacts cybersecurity. 150 00:11:32,100 --> 00:11:35,530 Those are all topics that you're going to hear from this fall conference. 151 00:11:36,300 --> 00:11:40,440 So that Wednesday is always, what I call the meat and potatoes day. 152 00:11:41,370 --> 00:11:44,790 You really get the crux of the conference there that day. 153 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:50,010 And then finally, we ended on what I consider a really big high note, which is the supplier showcase. 154 00:11:50,010 --> 00:11:57,510 That's where on Thursday morning, you know, we dedicate an entire half day, that half morning, to our 155 00:11:57,510 --> 00:12:02,130 vendors and having our folks walk around and visit with all the vendors that are in that space. 156 00:12:02,130 --> 00:12:05,040 And so it's a great opportunity for our vendors to interact. 157 00:12:05,040 --> 00:12:07,530 It's a very, what I consider, a casual atmosphere. 158 00:12:07,530 --> 00:12:11,120 You know, we encourage people to visit each and every booth that we can. 159 00:12:12,030 --> 00:12:19,950 That space really does do a good job to accommodate those booths and so people can walk around in what I consider a very relaxed 160 00:12:19,950 --> 00:12:26,880 environment. Interact with the vendors that they are looking to do business with or they have relationships with. 161 00:12:26,910 --> 00:12:32,670 So it's another great opportunity for those individuals to to touch base and to get to know people that they may not have had 162 00:12:32,670 --> 00:12:33,990 an opportunity to get to know. 163 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:39,960 If you're a vendor, it's a great chance to display your products in a very relaxed environment. 164 00:12:40,440 --> 00:12:41,490 Carrie Huckeby: Yes, it is. 165 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:49,260 And one note, we normally get quite a few questions about when can the vendors set up for 166 00:12:49,260 --> 00:12:50,730 the showcase. 167 00:12:50,730 --> 00:12:57,780 And that's on Wednesday afternoon, usually after 4:00 pm, something like that. 168 00:12:57,780 --> 00:12:59,860 So you can set up. 169 00:12:59,860 --> 00:13:04,290 Now, we will be using every one of the salons at the Franklin Marriott. 170 00:13:05,430 --> 00:13:12,750 So, you know, it might take the hotel a little bit longer to to get everything ready, but normally that set up 171 00:13:12,750 --> 00:13:18,480 is Wednesday afternoon or early Thursday morning, if you like to come in at the last minute. 172 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:23,100 But then I think on our website, Tyler, there's a link. 173 00:13:23,100 --> 00:13:29,550 If they request electricity or need Internet, they can find everything on that registration site. 174 00:13:29,550 --> 00:13:30,960 So mention that. 175 00:13:30,960 --> 00:13:33,360 Where do they go to register for the meeting? 176 00:13:33,360 --> 00:13:40,950 Tyler Campbell: Yeah. Our registration page, you can actually access our registration page on 177 00:13:41,160 --> 00:13:45,780 kyrba.org or tennesseebroadband.com. 178 00:13:45,900 --> 00:13:49,950 Both of our websites do have links to those registration pages. 179 00:13:50,100 --> 00:13:51,870 It's really easy to access from those. 180 00:13:51,870 --> 00:13:55,440 You can go under upcoming events on our Kentucky page. 181 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:57,840 I believe, it's on the main page of your website as well. 182 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:03,240 So literally it's a click of a link, and it takes you directly to that third party registration page. 183 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:07,290 You can fill it out, and there are so many things that you can select on there. 184 00:14:07,290 --> 00:14:10,410 Your conference registration, general registration. 185 00:14:10,410 --> 00:14:15,360 If you're a vendor, the opportunity that you have there to select your tabletop as well as the conference registration. 186 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:21,510 And for anybody that's registering, that is interested in a sponsorship opportunity, we have plenty of those to advertise 187 00:14:21,510 --> 00:14:22,980 your business while we're there. 188 00:14:23,250 --> 00:14:30,780 Again, those sponsorships range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars for a golf hold sponsorship to, I think up to $2,500 189 00:14:30,780 --> 00:14:33,030 for some premier sponsorships. 190 00:14:33,030 --> 00:14:40,710 And so there's several opportunities for you to get your company's name out there for you to be a sponsor and participate 191 00:14:40,710 --> 00:14:44,250 in the meeting. And it's all on those on that third party registration page. 192 00:14:44,250 --> 00:14:51,540 And as Carrie indicated, if you're a vendor and you need to select, you know, power for your booth or to have a hard wired 193 00:14:51,540 --> 00:14:57,570 Internet connection, there's a link that takes you directly to the hotel, and you can purchase that directly from them. 194 00:14:57,570 --> 00:15:01,570 So we try to make it pretty easy where everything's right on that registration page. 195 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:07,960 Carrie Huckeby: So speaking of the hotel, Tyler, cut off for the hotel block and for meeting registration. 196 00:15:07,960 --> 00:15:09,070 When is that? 197 00:15:09,730 --> 00:15:16,240 Tyler Campbell: So the registration cut off, I believe, for the hotel is September the 18th. 198 00:15:16,780 --> 00:15:24,670 We can technically take registrations for longer than that, but if you want to get in on the registration link for 199 00:15:24,670 --> 00:15:28,480 the hotel, the cut off is September the 18th. 200 00:15:28,480 --> 00:15:35,650 And then also our sponsorship cut off is about the same time, I believe, Carrie, in terms of getting everything to print. 201 00:15:35,650 --> 00:15:42,880 So if you are interested in registering and being a sponsor, we encourage you to do that as soon as possible because that 202 00:15:42,880 --> 00:15:45,850 deadline is coming up in mid September. 203 00:15:45,880 --> 00:15:52,810 Carrie Huckeby: You're right. We like to have the name badges and the signage for the breakout sessions and all the 204 00:15:52,810 --> 00:15:57,460 sponsorship signage, the slide show that we use during the conference. 205 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:04,400 We like to get that to our printers and all, like early September before that cut off. 206 00:16:04,430 --> 00:16:07,970 It just makes things easier to ensure that things arrive on time. 207 00:16:08,600 --> 00:16:13,820 So you talked about golf at the beautiful Towhee Golf Club in Spring Hill. 208 00:16:13,820 --> 00:16:19,190 For those that haven't played there before, it is about 20 minutes from the hotel. 209 00:16:19,190 --> 00:16:21,020 It's a very easy drive. 210 00:16:21,050 --> 00:16:29,030 That crew and team out there have been great to work with at our conference, so I'm looking forward to that. 211 00:16:29,030 --> 00:16:32,990 October weather, I bet will be really nice. 212 00:16:33,170 --> 00:16:36,830 June wasn't too bad, but October is always beautiful. 213 00:16:36,830 --> 00:16:41,480 But I hear there's a rumor, Tyler, that there may be a cornhole competition. 214 00:16:42,500 --> 00:16:49,220 Tyler Campbell: Yeah, I think we're going to try something different at the fall conference this year for the folks that aren't golfers. 215 00:16:49,310 --> 00:16:52,490 And this is a tradition that we have at our annual meeting in Kentucky. 216 00:16:52,970 --> 00:16:56,880 We have a morning and afternoon cornhole competition. 217 00:16:56,880 --> 00:17:04,670 I guess I don't know if it's from our love of SEC football and tailgating that this spills over, but it's always been really 218 00:17:04,670 --> 00:17:06,330 popular at our annual meeting. 219 00:17:06,330 --> 00:17:13,670 And when we were visiting there at the golf course, you and I both noticed that they had a set of cornhole boards out to the 220 00:17:13,670 --> 00:17:16,040 side over there near that pavilion that they have. 221 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:22,340 And they made it sound like it would be really easy for us to do something along those lines of doing a cornhole competition. 222 00:17:22,340 --> 00:17:24,980 And so we're giving it a shot this year. 223 00:17:24,980 --> 00:17:32,840 So if you're not a golfer, while the folks are out golfing, if you're interested in participating in our 224 00:17:32,840 --> 00:17:36,680 cornhole competition while folks are out golfing, we're going to have something for you, too. 225 00:17:36,710 --> 00:17:43,520 You can still come and register and grab a lunch and still participate on that first day of the conference on Tuesday, 226 00:17:43,520 --> 00:17:48,800 October the 10th. You're going to be able to participate in our afternoon cornhole tournament. 227 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:56,720 So I think it's, for the folks that don't golf or may not be the best golfers 228 00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:04,160 and want to look for something different, this is an option for those folks to do something fun that afternoon and still be able 229 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:07,220 to compete. I think everybody likes to win no matter what. 230 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:11,210 So we do a pretty good job with giving away prizes and stuff like that. 231 00:18:11,210 --> 00:18:13,520 So I'm sure we'll have a good competition up there. 232 00:18:13,820 --> 00:18:19,390 Carrie Huckeby: Do you see a little friendly competition maybe in our future of Tennessee playing Kentucky? 233 00:18:19,390 --> 00:18:23,640 Or maybe broadband member companies playing vendors? 234 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:28,670 I mean, there's some potential there for a little friendly competition, don't you think? 235 00:18:28,670 --> 00:18:32,330 Tyler Campbell: I do. That's typically what takes place at our meeting. 236 00:18:32,360 --> 00:18:37,430 Of course, I will say this now, the vendors are pretty good about knowing who are really good at these competitions. 237 00:18:37,430 --> 00:18:39,980 So sometimes it's like trying to stack a golf team. 238 00:18:39,980 --> 00:18:42,560 They can pick a partner that they know is really good at cornhole. 239 00:18:43,010 --> 00:18:45,170 So you got to watch some of these folks now. 240 00:18:45,170 --> 00:18:50,600 They've been around long enough to know who's pretty good at competing in these competitions. 241 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:56,180 So they'll select a partner, then probably help them, give them a little bit of an advantage. 242 00:18:56,420 --> 00:18:57,500 Carrie Huckeby: Oh, I see how it is. 243 00:18:57,500 --> 00:18:59,240 I'll have to keep that in mind then. 244 00:19:00,140 --> 00:19:03,170 You mentioned a little bit about sponsorship opportunity. 245 00:19:03,170 --> 00:19:05,780 Is there anything particular? 246 00:19:05,780 --> 00:19:13,100 I mean, I know we asked for sponsorship of the golf luncheon and, of course, the beverage cart is always 247 00:19:13,100 --> 00:19:21,020 popular. And also at the meeting, I think, we have break sponsorships and lunch and just things 248 00:19:21,020 --> 00:19:23,870 like that. Is there anything else you want to add to that? 249 00:19:23,870 --> 00:19:29,420 Tyler Campbell: Well, I will just say that a lot of sponsorship opportunities are still available. 250 00:19:29,420 --> 00:19:37,250 I always think it's a great opportunity to, again, to advertise because, you know, we have signage and printed recognition in the 251 00:19:37,250 --> 00:19:40,640 program. We'll scroll your company logo during the general sessions. 252 00:19:41,210 --> 00:19:47,660 So it's just a great opportunity if you are wishing to engage, whether this is your your first conference, or you've been around 253 00:19:47,660 --> 00:19:51,890 from the beginning. And this is our 29th joint meeting, Carrie, as our two associations. 254 00:19:51,890 --> 00:19:59,220 So if you've been around whether this is your first time or your 29th time, it's always a great opportunity to engage our members 255 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:00,750 and advertise your company. 256 00:20:00,750 --> 00:20:08,010 So again, those sponsorships can range from a couple hundred dollars for, you know, a golf hole sponsorship to, I think 257 00:20:08,010 --> 00:20:13,110 Carrie, we have some premier sponsorships that are $2,500 to even $5,000. 258 00:20:13,110 --> 00:20:15,930 But if you're a premier sponsor, you're the only name on the sign. 259 00:20:16,320 --> 00:20:21,690 And if you're really wanting to step up and do that and be the only one to to advertise in that way, there are some 260 00:20:21,690 --> 00:20:23,040 opportunities for you to do that. 261 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:27,210 So I really appreciate all our companies, both your platinum members and our premium members. 262 00:20:27,210 --> 00:20:32,640 Several of those groups have already stepped up to sponsor, and I really do appreciate the associate members that have already 263 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:33,750 secured tabletops. 264 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:40,770 You know, it's always really gratifying to see how well this meeting is supported each year by our telco members. 265 00:20:40,770 --> 00:20:43,710 But our associate members, too, I mean, they're really engaged. 266 00:20:43,710 --> 00:20:48,840 And this is just a great opportunity for them to interact with both of our association members. 267 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:50,910 So I'm really excited about this conference. 268 00:20:51,240 --> 00:20:56,400 Again, I think it's going to be very well attended, maybe the best attendance we've ever had at one of these events. 269 00:20:56,670 --> 00:20:57,690 Carrie Huckeby: I think so too. 270 00:20:57,690 --> 00:20:59,860 And I agree with everything you said. 271 00:20:59,860 --> 00:21:07,120 We could not do it without our members and our sponsors, and I'm so appreciative of what they do 272 00:21:07,720 --> 00:21:15,280 . Not only, you know, grabbing a table top and having those conversations with our broadband members, but also sponsorship 273 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:21,760 and, you know, and I love always recognizing them on social media and in the slides and things like that. 274 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:25,510 So I'll join Tyler in saying, thank you very much. 275 00:21:25,510 --> 00:21:26,850 Couldn't do it without you. 276 00:21:26,860 --> 00:21:32,770 Well, Tyler, anything else that you can think of before we wrap it up? 277 00:21:32,770 --> 00:21:34,890 I really appreciate you talking to me. 278 00:21:34,900 --> 00:21:38,770 Tyler Campbell: Well, no, I appreciate the opportunity to be on here and to interact. 279 00:21:39,340 --> 00:21:42,580 And like I said, just really looking forward to the meeting. 280 00:21:42,580 --> 00:21:48,910 And like I do want to say that if you're listening to this, and you're wondering what our agenda is going to look like, stay 281 00:21:48,910 --> 00:21:54,490 tuned. We are going to announce our full list of speakers and our meeting agenda very, very soon. 282 00:21:54,490 --> 00:22:01,150 And so all of our folks will be able to see who is going to be participating in our meeting. 283 00:22:01,150 --> 00:22:02,530 So really excited. 284 00:22:02,530 --> 00:22:09,100 Carrie, I will say not to toot our own horns on here, Carrie, but I feel like we've we spent a lot of time going through these 285 00:22:09,100 --> 00:22:16,300 speaker proposals and talking to potential, you know, general session speakers and two keynote speakers. 286 00:22:16,300 --> 00:22:18,730 And so I think we're going to have a very informative agenda. 287 00:22:18,730 --> 00:22:19,990 I'm really excited about it. 288 00:22:20,110 --> 00:22:28,030 Carrie Huckeby: Yes. And I will also say that this is our second year, although it's the 29th Conference, you and I, this is our second 289 00:22:28,030 --> 00:22:30,160 conference of working together on it. 290 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:37,210 And I've really enjoyed working with you, and I look forward to working with you on this one and many more. 291 00:22:37,210 --> 00:22:38,530 Tyler Campbell: Well, just thank you again. 292 00:22:38,530 --> 00:22:43,840 I really look forward to working with you again this fall, and it's always a pleasure for me to be on here. 293 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:46,360 I enjoy talking with you, and I always enjoy working with you. 294 00:22:46,690 --> 00:22:47,740 Carrie Huckeby: Thanks, Tyler. 295 00:22:47,770 --> 00:22:53,610 My guest has been Tyler Campbell, executive director of the Kentucky Rural Broadband Association. 296 00:22:53,620 --> 00:22:59,120 You've been listening to Lead Tennessee Radio, produced by the Tennessee Broadband Association. 297 00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:05,920 Cooperative and independent companies connecting our state's rural communities and beyond with world class broadband.