1 00:00:00,140 --> 00:00:04,460 Intro: The following program is brought to you by the Tennessee Broadband Association. 2 00:00:04,850 --> 00:00:10,580 Lead Tennessee Radio, conversations with the leaders moving our state forward. 3 00:00:10,610 --> 00:00:18,230 We look at the issues shaping Tennessee's future: rural development, public policy, broadband, 4 00:00:18,230 --> 00:00:22,820 healthcare, and other topics impacting our communities. 5 00:00:23,690 --> 00:00:28,910 Carrie Huckeby: Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining me on this episode of Lead Tennessee Radio. 6 00:00:28,940 --> 00:00:33,860 I'm Carrie Huckeby, the executive director of the Tennessee Broadband Association. 7 00:00:34,340 --> 00:00:42,170 Believe it or not, the 2024 TNBA Annual Convention and Showcase is just a little bit over three months 8 00:00:42,170 --> 00:00:45,770 away, and planning is in full force. 9 00:00:46,010 --> 00:00:48,800 What can you expect at this year's conference? 10 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,220 And that's what my guest is here to talk about, Mr. 11 00:00:52,220 --> 00:00:53,390 Charlie Boring. 12 00:00:53,420 --> 00:00:57,200 He is the CEO of BTC Fiber. 13 00:00:57,350 --> 00:01:02,960 He is the 2024 convention committee chair and the upcoming president of the board. 14 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:06,230 He's wearing a lot of hats, so welcome, Charlie. 15 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:08,120 Charlie Boring: Well, thank you for having me. 16 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:09,530 It's an honor to be here. 17 00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:13,550 Carrie Huckeby: Well, as you know, the convention is June 4th through the 6th. 18 00:01:13,550 --> 00:01:17,060 It's in Franklin again this year at the Cool Springs Marriott. 19 00:01:17,090 --> 00:01:18,980 We've been there several years. 20 00:01:18,980 --> 00:01:21,020 They do a great job hosting us. 21 00:01:21,020 --> 00:01:24,890 Everyone seems to like that location because of the area. 22 00:01:24,890 --> 00:01:31,370 It has lots of restaurants, things to do, a little less congested traffic than Nashville. 23 00:01:31,370 --> 00:01:38,930 And we've got a great committee already put together, and that's always helpful, planning and helping us do some of that heavy 24 00:01:38,930 --> 00:01:46,460 lifting. But before we jump into like specific details first, Charlie, how many of these conventions have you 25 00:01:46,460 --> 00:01:50,420 attended? Do you remember when you started going to the TNBA Conference? 26 00:01:51,500 --> 00:01:59,490 Charlie Boring: Oh, well, I have actually been working here for 30 years, so I probably attended, oh, I 27 00:01:59,490 --> 00:02:03,690 want to say I'm on about 20+. 28 00:02:03,690 --> 00:02:06,120 Carrie Huckeby: 20 years. That's a good history there. 29 00:02:06,120 --> 00:02:13,530 So why is the convention been important to you, and why is it important to the 30 00:02:13,530 --> 00:02:15,750 Association and its members, do you think? 31 00:02:16,450 --> 00:02:22,740 Charlie Boring: You know, these conventions are one of the things that I look for the most every year. 32 00:02:22,740 --> 00:02:30,640 You get to spend time with your peers and leaders of the technology that we're 33 00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:33,550 dealing with. And you get to see what's upcoming. 34 00:02:33,550 --> 00:02:36,520 You get to see problems that they've dealt with. 35 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:43,360 You get to deal with a lot of different aspects of things that, you know, other people have already seen. 36 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:45,520 And you're just now starting to see. 37 00:02:45,520 --> 00:02:49,900 So sometimes you don't have to reinvent the wheel. 38 00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:52,420 They can help you through all these issues. 39 00:02:52,420 --> 00:02:59,080 So, you know, you get a lot of insight of the future and everything that when you go to these conventions. 40 00:02:59,080 --> 00:03:06,700 Carrie Huckeby: I agree. I think I've done most of my learning and gained most of my experiences from conferences and the 41 00:03:06,700 --> 00:03:10,720 conversations that happen in the hall and not just the speakers on the stage. 42 00:03:11,320 --> 00:03:12,040 Charlie Boring: Exactly. 43 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:13,150 Carrie Huckeby: Always helpful. 44 00:03:13,150 --> 00:03:18,430 So tell us what you think the attendees can expect to hear this year at the conference. 45 00:03:18,430 --> 00:03:20,710 I mean, what are the hot subjects right now? 46 00:03:20,740 --> 00:03:28,720 Of course, besides BEAD and USF reform and ACP, what other things are you hearing about, and you 47 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,450 think we'll hear from at the convention? 48 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:37,420 Charlie Boring: You know, there's a lot of talk and everything about what is the next step for fiber deployment. 49 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:39,790 You know, you go from XGS-PON. 50 00:03:39,790 --> 00:03:40,990 What's next? 51 00:03:41,410 --> 00:03:48,910 What are the things that, you know, and you sit and look at a lot of different aspects of everything that we do, you know: 52 00:03:48,910 --> 00:03:53,190 water, other means of revenue that we can get into. 53 00:03:53,190 --> 00:04:00,880 You know, partnerships with other entities that that we can expand broadband out into other areas through BEAD 54 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,710 and various things like that. 55 00:04:02,710 --> 00:04:05,410 I mean, it's just a plethora of things that you're going to hear. 56 00:04:06,040 --> 00:04:13,330 And as you said, a lot of it's going to probably be out in the hallway, but there's always going to be speakers that that kind 57 00:04:13,330 --> 00:04:17,410 of lead us and get us started in certain directions and discussions. 58 00:04:18,670 --> 00:04:25,840 Carrie Huckeby: Right. We could probably have a conference a week or two long and not talk about every subject we needed to talk about. 59 00:04:26,080 --> 00:04:27,220 Charlie Boring: Oh, I don't think. 60 00:04:27,220 --> 00:04:29,440 Yeah, I think a week would be shortened. 61 00:04:29,770 --> 00:04:31,180 Carrie Huckeby: Probably. 62 00:04:31,180 --> 00:04:34,730 In the past, we've had peer breakout groups too. 63 00:04:34,730 --> 00:04:41,110 Those have always been well attended, and we're planning on those this year too. 64 00:04:41,110 --> 00:04:44,500 What do you think the attendees take away from those peer groups? 65 00:04:45,850 --> 00:04:47,680 Same thing as the convention? 66 00:04:48,220 --> 00:04:51,430 Charlie Boring: And as I said, those are some of the most important ones in my opinion. 67 00:04:52,630 --> 00:04:59,320 You know, you're sitting there with a group of peers that, you know, like I said, they've dealt with and are dealing with the 68 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:01,380 same issues that you do. 69 00:05:01,380 --> 00:05:09,380 And it's just a lot easier for, you know, a group of people to come up with an answer more so than it is 70 00:05:09,380 --> 00:05:10,640 just one individual. 71 00:05:10,640 --> 00:05:15,740 So you're going to hear them and, you know, hear their take on things. 72 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:22,790 Because a lot of times I step in there and I think I already know everything, but, you come to realize you don't know half of 73 00:05:22,790 --> 00:05:30,410 it. So, you know, there's just a lot of different things you can learn from people, other people in the industry, you know, and 74 00:05:30,410 --> 00:05:32,180 they get a different perspective on it. 75 00:05:32,180 --> 00:05:39,620 Carrie Huckeby: Right. I know a lot of times I would leave a convention or a breakout session and think, hmm, I just don't know anything. 76 00:05:40,040 --> 00:05:41,060 Charlie Boring: Yeah, yeah. 77 00:05:41,060 --> 00:05:48,080 You know, these are one of the things that you, I mean, for me, and I don't want to say this for everyone else, but I don't know, 78 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:53,430 sometimes you feel dumber whenever you leave them. 79 00:05:53,430 --> 00:05:55,400 Because you think you should have known all that. 80 00:05:55,400 --> 00:06:03,320 You know, like I said, it's just, there's a lot of smart individuals in this industry, and, the way they look at 81 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:07,970 things, and sometimes it's better just to hush and listen and learn from them. 82 00:06:08,060 --> 00:06:09,350 Carrie Huckeby: I hear you. 83 00:06:09,350 --> 00:06:11,360 I've been in those shoes, for sure. 84 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:14,870 On the listening end; not the expert end. 85 00:06:14,870 --> 00:06:16,880 Charlie Boring: Yeah, that's me. 86 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:18,560 Carrie Huckeby: But our peer groups. 87 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:25,520 We do have the CEO peer group, the finance, HR and executive assistant, marketing 88 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:26,830 sales. 89 00:06:26,830 --> 00:06:30,110 Also have outside plan and engineering and network. 90 00:06:30,110 --> 00:06:33,650 So we do have six separate peer groups. 91 00:06:33,650 --> 00:06:37,100 And those are always, like I said, well attended. 92 00:06:37,100 --> 00:06:41,750 Charlie Boring: Yeah. You know, and like I said, my team thoroughly enjoys those. 93 00:06:41,780 --> 00:06:48,480 You know, like I said, they get to listen to their peers and, you know, everything that I mentioned. 94 00:06:48,480 --> 00:06:50,390 You learn a lot from it. 95 00:06:50,390 --> 00:06:57,380 Carrie Huckeby: Right. So on the last day, it's always a big day on Thursday is the showcase. 96 00:06:57,380 --> 00:07:04,280 And we normally have at least 60 booths or so, and it sells out pretty quick. 97 00:07:04,490 --> 00:07:12,470 Tell us about the expo, Charlie, and what you think the vendors get from that and what you think they'll be talking 98 00:07:12,470 --> 00:07:13,730 about this year. 99 00:07:14,870 --> 00:07:20,030 Charlie Boring: You know, your vendors, a lot of times, you just talk to them on the phone. 100 00:07:20,330 --> 00:07:24,290 This gives you the opportunity to come face to face with them. 101 00:07:24,470 --> 00:07:30,500 You know, and a lot of times with everything else, they learn a little bit more about you. 102 00:07:30,500 --> 00:07:33,350 They learn, you know, various things. 103 00:07:33,350 --> 00:07:34,760 I think it's great for them. 104 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:42,190 I think it's great for the employees of the companies, because, you know, you get to build that 105 00:07:42,190 --> 00:07:49,430 relationship. And as we all know, that's very important when you're dealing with individuals that you know them. 106 00:07:49,430 --> 00:07:51,940 You understand them, and they understand you. 107 00:07:51,940 --> 00:07:54,820 And like I said, it's just a face to face look. 108 00:07:54,820 --> 00:07:58,420 It gives us the ability to see things that are new in the industry. 109 00:07:59,250 --> 00:08:07,150 You know, there's a lot of times that you get hung on one individual thing that you like and you're used to, 110 00:08:07,150 --> 00:08:12,190 but sometimes they present some things that are better and makes things more efficient. 111 00:08:12,190 --> 00:08:14,770 And, you know, you get to see those. 112 00:08:14,770 --> 00:08:22,720 I just think it's a great thing all the way around for the companies and the vendors that show up that, you know, like I 113 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:24,400 said, builds relationships. 114 00:08:24,400 --> 00:08:27,010 It does a lot for each. 115 00:08:27,310 --> 00:08:34,270 Carrie Huckeby: I agree, and it puts a lot of times, it puts a face with a name, like you said, we talked to him on the phone and don't really get 116 00:08:34,270 --> 00:08:37,810 to see him face to face sometimes, so it's nice to do that. 117 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:45,670 And then also at our showcase, I think it's a good thing that some of the employees cannot attend the 118 00:08:45,670 --> 00:08:53,590 whole conference, so they can come just on showcase day and get entry there and get to walk around and 119 00:08:53,590 --> 00:08:59,170 see everyone. So, we do that as well as full registration for the full day. 120 00:08:59,170 --> 00:09:00,610 So that's always good. 121 00:09:00,610 --> 00:09:01,990 Charlie Boring: Yeah. It is. 122 00:09:02,170 --> 00:09:04,060 Like I said, it's great for them. 123 00:09:04,060 --> 00:09:11,170 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah. So in the past, we've had a golf outing on Tuesday, and we're going to do that this year as well at the Towhee Club in 124 00:09:11,170 --> 00:09:18,550 Spring Hill. We've been there last year for the fall conference with Kentucky and then the spring and enjoyed 125 00:09:18,550 --> 00:09:21,700 that. It's about 20 minutes from the hotel. 126 00:09:21,700 --> 00:09:23,560 And you're a golfer. 127 00:09:23,560 --> 00:09:29,800 Any predictions on how well you think you're going to do this year, or expecting any prize winning? 128 00:09:30,460 --> 00:09:36,330 Charlie Boring: You know, the predictions are, the way to predict the future is to look at your past. 129 00:09:36,330 --> 00:09:40,900 And my past always indicates that I'm not going to play that well. 130 00:09:41,380 --> 00:09:48,280 So, if there's any prize winnings, it's going to depend upon who I have on my team. 131 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:49,990 So, I hope they're good. 132 00:09:49,990 --> 00:09:54,100 And, if not, then I'm just going to be there to enjoy the day. 133 00:09:54,100 --> 00:10:01,030 Carrie Huckeby: Well, as chairman of the committee, this year, I think we can let maybe let you select who you're going to play golf with. 134 00:10:01,030 --> 00:10:02,110 Would that work? Maybe? 135 00:10:02,110 --> 00:10:04,510 Charlie Boring: I've tried that for years, and it's never really worked. 136 00:10:04,510 --> 00:10:10,870 So I don't know. I'm gonna have to talk with someone and come up with some solution for this. 137 00:10:10,870 --> 00:10:12,370 Carrie Huckeby: You're gonna have talked to Mark Patterson, maybe. 138 00:10:13,570 --> 00:10:15,910 Charlie Boring: I've talked to him. Apparently, Mark doesn't like me or something. 139 00:10:16,390 --> 00:10:22,060 I don't know, or maybe he likes the other people and don't want to put them with me, so I don't know how it works. 140 00:10:22,060 --> 00:10:25,270 Carrie Huckeby: They may be paying him more money to not be on your team, Charlie. 141 00:10:25,750 --> 00:10:27,880 Charlie Boring: I'm guessing that's probably it. 142 00:10:27,880 --> 00:10:30,130 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, well, we're looking forward to a good day. 143 00:10:30,520 --> 00:10:37,360 We always have about 100 golfers there, and last year, the weather cooperated very nicely. 144 00:10:37,360 --> 00:10:40,960 So I hope that it does the same for this year. 145 00:10:41,020 --> 00:10:42,520 It's a good day. 146 00:10:42,670 --> 00:10:43,630 Charlie Boring: Yes, it is. 147 00:10:43,630 --> 00:10:49,990 Carrie Huckeby: So we're going to do something a little different this year and instead of having a platinum event on Thursday morning, we're 148 00:10:49,990 --> 00:10:54,250 going to have it Monday night at the hotel. 149 00:10:54,250 --> 00:11:02,230 And so that's going to be switching up just a little, but we're doing that I think because, well, for 150 00:11:02,230 --> 00:11:10,150 many reasons. But one reason is we think that evening before will give the platinum events a little more time to network and 151 00:11:10,150 --> 00:11:15,160 visit and, you know, without having to rush out the door and get to that showcase. 152 00:11:15,160 --> 00:11:17,830 So any thoughts on that? 153 00:11:17,830 --> 00:11:21,700 Or just tell the platinum members to be sure to come out Monday? 154 00:11:21,700 --> 00:11:28,780 Charlie Boring: Yes. I mean, they need to come out, you know, and we truly appreciate their sponsorship and everything that they've done. 155 00:11:28,780 --> 00:11:35,020 You know, without them, I mean, it makes it difficult for us to even have these shows and to put them on. 156 00:11:35,590 --> 00:11:40,390 You know, so we want to do something nice for them. 157 00:11:40,390 --> 00:11:46,770 As I said there again, it's another area where we can get to know these. 158 00:11:46,770 --> 00:11:54,730 You know, as you said, put a name with a face and, you know, you kind of step outside of your business mode 159 00:11:54,730 --> 00:11:57,550 during some of these, and you learn a little bit more about them. 160 00:11:57,730 --> 00:12:01,570 I mean, you learn more about family and various other things like that. 161 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:03,430 So, I mean, I always look forward to them. 162 00:12:03,430 --> 00:12:09,400 I mean, they're great. And, you know, it's a great bunch of people and, they're fun to be around. 163 00:12:09,400 --> 00:12:11,890 So, you know, like I said, I always look forward to it. 164 00:12:11,890 --> 00:12:13,030 Carrie Huckeby: Yeah, they are. 165 00:12:13,030 --> 00:12:18,910 And like you said, we couldn't do it without them, and we appreciate their support of the association. 166 00:12:18,910 --> 00:12:26,830 And then anytime we need a little extra help or a golf hole sponsorship or a name on a sign, we always appreciate that. 167 00:12:26,830 --> 00:12:30,940 And we will have sponsorship opportunities for the conference. 168 00:12:30,940 --> 00:12:33,070 Like we always do. 169 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:40,360 The key card and gold sponsorships and platinum and silver and all those good things. 170 00:12:40,360 --> 00:12:41,740 Charlie Boring: Yes. 171 00:12:41,890 --> 00:12:48,580 Carrie Huckeby: Registration, our plan is to have registration open by March 1st. 172 00:12:48,580 --> 00:12:52,870 And that will also have the hotel block information. 173 00:12:53,230 --> 00:13:01,120 We'll be posting that on social media when that opens, and our website will have the registration link 174 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:03,000 and hotel information. 175 00:13:03,000 --> 00:13:09,100 The hotel cut off will be May 13th, although the block normally fills up way before then. 176 00:13:09,100 --> 00:13:14,650 But that is the cut off for the meeting and the hotel. 177 00:13:14,650 --> 00:13:18,880 What else do they need to know, Charlie, about this year's convention? 178 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:21,970 Can you think of anything? 179 00:13:21,970 --> 00:13:23,380 Charlie Boring: Yeah, I think that's just about it. 180 00:13:23,380 --> 00:13:25,420 I mean just come on out. 181 00:13:25,420 --> 00:13:26,680 Join up. 182 00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:32,290 And, you know, it's going to be, as I said, every year, it's a great time. 183 00:13:32,290 --> 00:13:34,300 And you always learn something. 184 00:13:34,300 --> 00:13:37,360 You always come away with something from this. 185 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:44,560 So, everybody just needs to show up and be there and be ready for a good time and learn something while we're doing it. 186 00:13:44,560 --> 00:13:46,120 Carrie Huckeby: All right. Come see us. 187 00:13:46,690 --> 00:13:54,580 All right, so my guest has been Charlie Boring, CEO of BTC Fiber and this year's TNBA Convention committee 188 00:13:54,580 --> 00:13:58,420 chair and upcoming president of the TNBA board. 189 00:13:58,420 --> 00:14:05,500 You've been listening to the Lead Tennessee Radio, produced by the Tennessee Broadband Association, cooperative and independent 190 00:14:05,500 --> 00:14:10,750 companies connecting our state's rural communities and beyond with world class broadband.