2023 BroadbandMT Annual Membership Meeting
August 21-23, 2023


2 Fairway Drive
Whitefish, MT 59937
406-892-2525

The Annual Membership Meeting is a telecom policy conference attended by more than 100 BroadbandMT member senior execs from Montana’s telecom industry.  We offer sponsorship opportunities and other ways for associate members to participate. There are no booths/table tops for vendors, but it is a great venue for exposure to senior level telecom execs and the public policies that affect the industry.


Telco Member Pricing 

$400 | $450 after August 7th

Room reservations at Grouse Mountain Lodge can be made by calling 406-892-2525 or email, reference BroadbandMT. Room rates start at $261/night plus tax, and do require a deposit. Room block rates expire July 5, 2023.  Room block is pretty much full as of 5/2/23.

Backup Room Block
The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River: 920 Spokane Ave. Whitefish, MT 59937.  Call 406-862-7600 and reference BroadbandMT to make a reservation.  Room rate is $379/night plus tax; balance due 7 days prior to arrival. $15 amenity fee per room per night.  Room block rates expire July 1. 2023, 5pm. 


Agenda

Monday, August 21st

9am Golf - Meadow Lake Golf Course

490 St. Andrews Drive
Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Green fees, lunch and one drink included with registration.  More details to follow.
9:30am Fly Fishing - more details to follow.  
5 - 7pm President's Welcome Reception - Pavilion/Continental Divide Room


Tuesday, August 22nd

8:30am Welcome
BroadbandMT General Manager
Noon Lunch - Pavilion
9 - 4pm

Sessions - Continental Divide Room

State and Federal policy leaders discussing the latest trends in broadband policy.

Confirmed Speakers

Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director ConnectLA
Louisiana Office of Broadband Development & Connectivity

 

Does it HAVE to be Fiber? Evaluating Options for Montana’s Future: While the entire country is grappling with technology questions as BEAD funding approaches, Big Sky Country has unique challenges all our own: Namely mountains, trees, and 147 thousand square miles. Does it HAVE to be connected with fiber? That answer hinges on understanding the dynamics of extremely high-cost locations, the characteristics of wireless technologies (including 5G and LEO satellites), and ultimately – what it means, for policy makers and regular people alike, for rural Montana to be connected.

Larry Thompson is the CEO of Vantage Point Solutions, a national engineering and consulting firm focused on broadband providers. Larry is a licensed professional engineer and has been designing satellite, wireless, and fiber-based broadband networks for more than 35 years. Larry received his bachelor’s degree in Physics from William Jewell College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas.

Prior to founding Vantage Point Solutions in 2002, Larry held several engineering and management positions with TRW’s Space and Defense Sector, CyberLink Corporation, and Martin Group. Over the years he has helped many broadband providers successfully navigate many technical, regulatory, and financial challenges when deploying wireless and fiber networks. 

Larry is a frequent speaker at state and national conferences and a frequent expert witness in matters related to telecommunication technology and regulation and a two-term member of the FCC’s Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee (BDAC).


Wednesday, August 23rd

8 - Noon

Sessions - Continental Divide Room

Featuring experts in operations trends such as
Finance, Sales & Marketing, and the latest in fiber technology

 

Marketing and Sales has shifted dramatically in the past years and was fueled to adapt even faster during COVID. The panel will discuss the shifting competitive landscape (Charter/Spectrum, Starlink, T-Mobile/Verizon), increases in member demand for services, changes to outreach methods and changing company culture to be a sales organization.   

Bethany Chinadle was raised on her family’s farm in Montana and her family roots are very important to her as well as the rural communities.  Bethany attended the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND.  Bethany has held many roles at Triangle Communications including Internet Customer Service/Tech Support, Customer Service Supervisor, Marketing & Sales Manager, VP of Customer Operations and most recently is working as the COO. 

 

Gabe Petersen is a Field Strategy Lead at Calix working directly with broadband service providers to drive data driven marketing success. Gabe has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and has been with Calix for 18 years. Gabe is a recovering Finance professional and enjoys helping customers much more than staring at numbers on a spreadsheet. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabepetersen/

 

Don Serido has been running the Marketing Department at 3 Rivers Communications for 18 years. Don came to 3 Rivers after working with a Great Falls advertising agency, where 3 Rivers was one of his prized clients. He has more than 35 years of experience in the communications business. 

12:30pm

BroadbandMT Board of Directors Board Meeting

 

 Thanks to our generous sponsors!

Gold

 

 

 

Silver

 

Awards Luncheon


Rural Education Fund

 

  

 

OTHER

NECA

 


Past meeting pictures - thank you Kathy Rea at Mid America Computer Corporation!

2022 Pictures
2021 Pictures


Save the Date! 
2024 Annual Meeting - August 19 - 21: Grouse Mountain Lodge
2024 Showcase - January 10 - 11: DoubleTree by Hilton Billings, MT