With customers in almost every building in the country, utilities have a unique relationship with those who use their services. With that in mind, many utilities are using technologies such as Broadband over Power Line, fiber and wireless to help the communities they serve. In some cases, such projects also create revenue while using infrastructure investment more efficiently. . These sessions will focus on what utilities are doing right now to use or expand their communication infrastructures to fill their communities’ needs. Hear all the best practices and current trends from those in the business during these sessions.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Conference Tutorials
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
Networking Lunch
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Grand Opening
Help us kick off UTC EXPO 2008 & UTC TELECOM 2008 in the exhibit hall! This event gives you a chance to get your first look at the exhibit hall while enjoying food and drinks at the same time. Renew old acquaintances and make new friends as you take advantage of this networking opportunity.
Monday, May 5, 2008
8:00 a.m.
Continental Networking Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Opening General Session
Location: Gatlin B
UTC TELECOM 2008 starts off with a bang at the Opening General Session. The session will feature reports from Chairman of the Board Jeff Selman and UTC's Division Chairs, explaining their key issues and activities. This session also features a keynote on the state of the industry by Jeff Lyash, President & CEO, Progress Energy Florida, Inc. You'll want to stay for UTC TELECOM 2008's keynote address by Larry J. Sabato a leading election analyst and university professor. 2008 is shaping up to be a major political contest -- come hear what's in store for the elections and what that means for you professionally and personally!
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 - 11:45 a.m.
How Utility Telecom Systems Benefit the Community
Location: Gatlin A1
Jimmy Don Havins, P.E., Manager-Telecommunications, Lower Colorado River Authority
Michael Johnston, Vice President of Information System, Jackson Energy Authority
Telecom systems are critical to utilities, but they also can be critical to the communities that utilities serve. This session explores means to build telecom systems that can benefit the community at large. Such projects are "win-win" scenarios for both; moreover, telecom departments may gain an edge in securing additional funds and people to complete projects that have a scope greater than just the utility.
11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Open
11:45 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2008
2:15 - 3:30 p.m.
Utility Interoperability is Different - How Do We Get There?
Location: Gatlin A1
Jeff Sheldon, Attorney at Law, McDermott, Will & Emery
Ronald Beck, Network Engineer, Central Lincoln People's Utility District
"Interoperability" is a Washington buzzword, but while everyone knows that utilities have to respond during emergency situations, that's only a small part of what interoperability means to you. When utilities are getting the lights back on, the gas running and water flowing, how do the right personnel from dozens of utilities talk to each other? Then, how do they talk with traditional public safety? And on an everyday basis, how do Smart Grids and better emergency planning drive connectivity among entire utility data networks? UTC's Regional Division has been working to define what "interoperability" means for OUR industry, and how to get there. Come hear about the progress, provide your input and help us work out the plan for this important part of our future.
3:30 - 3:45 p.m.
Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2008
3:45 - 5:00 p.m.
BPL Case Studies: Enabler of Community Broadband Networks
Location: Gatlin A1
Steven E. Turner, Chief Operating Officer, International Broadband Electric Communications
Dave Shpigler, President, Shpigler Group
Broadband over Power Line technologies deliver commercial broadband services to more and more communities. Often deployed hand-in-hand with internal utility applications, BPL remains an excellent way for electric utilities to contribute to the growth of the communications infrastructure in the communities they serve, further enabling economic growth. This session will feature examples of how utilities have partnered with BPL technology providers to deliver BPL commercial services.
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
UTC Gala
Location: Panzacola
Celebrate UTC's 60th birthday with us at Club Sesenta (or Club Sixty in English)! We've been around since 1948 -- that's something to celebrate. What better way than to mark this special anniversary with the very people that helped us make it to 60. And....in addition to a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday," and salsa dancing. Club Sesenta will include drinks, food, friends and fun all at Shingle Creek - don't miss it!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
UTC Apex Award Breakfast
Location: Gatlin B
The presentation of the fourth Annual UTC Apex Award, sponsored by Motorola, will be an awards breakfast to remember! Join us again this year as we honor the absolute best in utility telecommunications to benefit our communities. This event will showcase the winners of this distinguished award and the finalists, told as only they can through the stories they submitted about their projects. Come and be reminded of what's special about being involved in the critical infrastructure communications industry!
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
UTC EXPO 2008 Open
10:00 - 11:15 a.m.
UTC Apex Award Winners Tell Their Stories
Location: Gatlin A1
WINNERS ANNOUNCED IN UTC APEX AWARD BREAKFAST!
Following the UTC Apex Award breakfast, listen to the finalists present their stories in greater detail. This is a chance for the finalists to share how their projects came about and the unique ways these utilities serve their communities. In this session, you'll hear from these pioneers how they used telecom to improve their relationships with their communities, as well as their own personnel.
11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2008
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Using Collocation and Fiber to Drive Community Growth
Location: Gatlin A1
Ed Ingersoll, Supervisor - Transport Services, Gainesville Regional Utilities
Jim Werner, Supervisor, Gainesville Regional Utilities
Ron Bilodeau, Staff Contracting Agent, Nevada Power Company
Many utilities are using their collocation business lines and fiber networks to draw economic growth to their communities, bringing jobs and revenues to their regions. This session will feature case studies from utilities discussing how they have been able to leverage existing utility assets to promote their communities, improve the utility's bottom line and make such projects possible.
12:15 - 2:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch in UTC EXPO 2008
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.
State of Utility Fiber
Location: Gatlin A2
Mark C. Burke, Director-Telecommunications, KEMA, Inc.
David Boroughs, Principal Consultant, KEMA, Inc.
You may have seen the report -- now hear the details! This session will review highlights from UTC Research's State of Utility Fiber study report. UTC and KEMA teamed up to produce the report, looking at major trends in utility fiber demand, buildout and uses. When do utilities sell fiber? When do they expand their fiber offerings? When does it make sense to agree to fiber for utility right-of way? Fiber-optic technology use is only growing - find out how to use your fiber economically based on market demand and hear how other utilities are using fiber for internal and external projects.
The Power of Partnerships: The Value of Long-Term Utility Alliances with Technology Providers
Location: Gatlin A1
Jeff Selman,Manager, Telecom & Protection Engineering,
Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association
Kathleen Brown, Territory Manager,Harris Stratex Networks
Rusty Williams, Mgr-Planning & Engineering, Southern Company Services
Steve Ferguson, National Sales Manager - Utility Division,
AFL Telecommunications
R. Dee Stryker, VP-Sales & Marketing, EasTex Tower, Inc.
Utilities will need strong technology partners to successfully meet every telecom and IT challenge facing them in the years ahead. More and more, utilities are reexamining the concept of a long-term alliance with key technology providers as a way of ensuring their access to critical technologies and implementation resources. This session will feature case studies of these new alliances exploring what makes them work and explaining how they can work for you. Long-term relationships with technology vendors had been common at utilities until recent years. In many ways these new technology alliances are very different; however, as the wise philosopher of baseball, Yogi Berra, once said, "It's like déjà vu all over again."
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Networking Break in UTC EXPO 2008
4:30 - 5:45 p.m.
Fiber-To-The-X: Best Practices Tutorial
Location: Gatlin A1
Scott Jackson, National Market Manager, Graybar
Have you considered a Fiber-To-The-x (FTTX) deployment for your internal network (x standing for a variety of variables including Home, Business, Tower, Curb, etc.)? There are many benefits of using FTTx such as enabling you to focus on the customer in unprecedented ways. This session will discuss product and applications at the core, outside plant hardware and electrics, as well as the end-user in detail. This session will also analyze the costs associated with different aspects that will help you see the fiscal side of the FTTx decision. Additionally, presenters will review obstacles that utilities have encountered and overcome during the FTTx process, and the many success stories associated with this technology.
Washington Roundtable
Location: St. Johns 23
Jill Lyon, Vice President & General Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Prudence Parks, Federal Legislative Representative, Utilities Telecom Council
Erik Stark, Associate Administrator for the Office of Policy Analysis and Development, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Rita Wells, Manager/SCADA and Process Control Systems, Idaho National Laboratory
From the new Energy Act to emergency communications and cyber security, utility communications capabilities are being considered all over Washington these days. UTC’s Public Policy Division and staff are working with Congress, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, NTIA and others, and you should hear what policymakers are doing that could have a profound effect on your utility and its systems. Finish your educational day with some inside information from our Washington guests in this important session.
International Roundtable
Location: St. Johns 25
MODERATOR: Dymitr Wajsman, Co-Chairman, UTC International Division, and Director, APTEL - Associaçao das Empresas Proprietàrias de Infraestrutura e Sistemas Privados de Telecommunicações (BRAZIL)
Miguel Angel Sánchez Fornié, Co-Chairman, UTC International Division, and Director of Telecommunications and Control Systems, Iberdrola, S.A. (SPAIN)
Ion Nedelcu, General Director, TELETRANS S.A. (ROMANIA)
José Gonçalves Vieira, New Business and Telecom Superintendent, CELG – Cia Energetica de Goias (BRAZIL)
Cenildo Costa de Oliveira, Telecommunications Engineering Manager, CHESF – Cia Hidro Eletrica de Sao Francisco (BRAZIL)
A special invitation is extended to all international delegates attending UTC TELECOM 2008 to attend this unique session featuring utility telecom executives from around the world addressing key activities in Europe and South America. Following the presentations, all international participants will be invited to give a brief report on their activities. A great session to meet your counterparts from across the globe and make new, valuable friends.
6:30 p.m.
UTC Awards Dinner
Location: Panzacola F
The UTC Awards Dinner is a favorite social event of UTC TELECOM 2008! During the Awards Dinner we will honor the recipients of UTC's most prestigious awards in 2008, the Dondanville, Meehan and Chairman's Awards after enjoying a sit down dinner. This is a great way to end the last full day of UTC TELECOM 2008, honoring colleagues and friends. *Please note, dress for this event is semi-formal.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
UTC Annual Membership Meeting & Breakfast
Location: Gatlin B
On the last day of UTC TELECOM 2008, you'll take part in the UTC Annual Membership Meeting. This is your chance to hear UTC's leaders report on their activities over the past year and their plans for 2008-2009. It's also your chance to vote on any new business for UTC, including the election of new officers! Join Jeff Selman, UTC's Chairman of the Board, as he and other leaders remind you why you became a member of UTC . Be a part of the annual progress of your trade association as we enter our very special anniversary year!
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
9:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Pole Attachment Workshop
Location: Gatlin A1
Jeffrey L. Sheldon, Esq., Attorney at Law, McDermott, Will & Emery
Sean A. Stokes, Attorney, The Baller Herbst Law Group
Thomas B. Magee, Attorney, Keller and Heckman, LLP
Brett Kilbourne, Director-Regulatory Services & Associate Counsel, Utilities Telecom Council
Charles Zdebski, Partner, Troutman Sanders L.L.P.
Pole attachment issues are back at the forefront with the FCC's new look at rules, and you need to stay up-to-date on both federal and state issues that impact your utility. This session will provide the details on the latest pole attachments and joint use developments: what the FCC is saying, whether new court cases are likely, and more. This workshop will also cover how utilities can improve their pole attachment and joint use management processes to provide better service for attaching entities and to ensure that their costs are fully recovered. Utilities can develop collaborative solutions for pole attachments - even with new regulations. Make sure you know both the challenges and the possibilities.
