CCTA Wavelengths: Issue 9 - Summer 2015

Community Charities Receive a Boost from CCTA

Eight exceptional charities will benefit from the CCTA's Community Charities Program in 2015. The board of directors unanimously agreed to award $1,250 to each of the eight organizations that had been nominated by a cable system member of the CCTA.

The eight grant recipients and their sponsoring companies are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bermuda, nominated by Bermuda CableVision Ltd.; M.A.L.E. (Mentoring Anointed Leaders Everywhere), nominated by BVI Cable TV; Harrison College, nominated by Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation of Barbados; The Steven Anthony Ayala Rivera Foundation, Inc., nominated by Choice Cable TV of Puerto Rico; May Pen Hospital, nominated by General Satelite Network Company Ltd. of Jamaica; Colegio de Educacion Especial y Rehabilitacion Integral, nominated by Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico; Be The Change Foundation, nominated by St. Maarten Cable TV; and St. Kitts Nevis National Majorettes, nominated by The Cable of St. Kitts.

Terry Roberson, CCTA Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Bermuda CableVision, stated, “The 2015 grant winners provide a variety of services to their communities, ranging from health facilities to mentoring programs for children. All nominees provide vital human service programs to people in the Caribbean and we are pleased to be able to help each one.” The board made the decision to provide all 2015 nominees with $1,250 at their meeting on May 18.

The Community Charities Program was established by the CCTA in 1993. Since then, the program has distributed over $290,000 in grants to more than 130 charities in the region.


CCTA Renews its Agreement with Laureate Online Education

The CCTA recently renewed its agreement with Laureate Online Education to promote the organization's online degree programs with Walden University, the University of Liverpool and the University of Roehampton. Laureate, as the University of Liverpool's exclusive worldwide e-learning partner, makes the University's programs available online, providing an e-learning environment and personal student support. Both partners are renowned for quality, innovation and continuous improvement in online teaching and learning.

Online degrees and certificate programs are designed to help each student balance his or her personal and professional commitments while investing in the future.

For further information on the degrees offered, you can visit www.laureate.net, or contact Caribbean Manager Kelly Bute-Seaton at kelly.bute-seaton@laureate.net(tel: 1-868-683-4308), or Enrolment Advisor Renee Robertson at renee.robertson@laureate.net.


We Mark Your Calendars for the 2015 Training Sessions, July 21-23!

The CCTA's annual Technical Training Sessions are right around the corner. The sessions will be held at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino in San Juan on July 21, 22 and 23, 2015.

A variety of relevant technical subject matter will be explored by leading experts in the industry. The 2015 program will cover: "Better Understanding of How OFDM and LDPC Work"; "Getting the Most from Workforce Management Systems"; "Lowering Churn Rate on Installations and Service Calls – Increased QoS"; "LTE Interference Challenges using Shielding Integrity Monitoring Solution"; "Maximizing Fiber Networks"; "State of Readiness in order to Deploy DOCSIS 3.1"; and "Total Power per Hertz on the Return Path".

The CCTA has provided free annual training to employees of Active Members for many years and the response has always been positive. Bringing information on the current topics in the cable television and telecommunications industries to the region is one of the organization's primary missions. Although member companies must cover transportation, lodging and evening meal expenses, the CCTA handles the cost of the training sessions and all daytime meals. For representatives of Associate Members or non-members, the training sessions are available for reasonable daily fees.

For the 2015 Technical Training Sessions, the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino has provided a rate of $139 per night, single or double occupancy, plus 11% tax and a $15 hotel fee. There is also a $1.00 per room, per day maid gratuity and $5.00 per person, one-time bellman gratuity. This special rate is available from July 20 through July 22, based on availability, plus three days prior to and three days after the event dates. Reservations must be made by July 6. A deposit equal to one night's room and tax will be charged at the time the reservation is made. Deposits are refundable if a cancellation notice is received by the Hotel at least seven days prior to arrival and a cancellation number is obtained.

Rooms in the CCTA's block can be reserved by calling the Sheraton's Centralized Reservations Department at 1-866-932-7269, or directly to the hotel in San Juan at 1-787-993-3500. The phrase "CCTA Technical Training" must be mentioned to receive the special negotiated rate. Hotel reservations can also be made through the CCTA dedicated reservations page ( https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/CCTA2015 )

CCTA Wavelengths: Issue 8 - Spring 2015

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A Big THANK YOU to our 2015 Sponsors and Donors

The Lorac Communications team in the Exhibit Hall.

The Lorac Communications team in the Exhibit Hall.

The CCTA extends its gratitude to the companies that sponsored events or provided items for the 2015 Annual Meeting. These generous corporate friends are:

Platinum Sponsor:

  • Cable Bahamas

Gold Sponsors:

  • Lorac Communications

  • Caribbean Cable Cooperative Ltd.

  • GulfCom

  • Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, LLP

  • Fox Networks

  • HBO

  • HBO Latin America Group

  • Revolt Media & TV

Silver Sponsors

  • A+E Networks

  • Quality Cable & Electronics

  • Harmonic Inc.

  • TBS Latin America

  • Turner Network Sales

  • Cable Technologies International

  • CommScope

  • Ion Media Networks

Bronze Sponsors

  • TVC Communications

  • Incospec Communications

  • Toner Cable Equipment, Inc.


Congratulations to the new Board of Directors

New Board of Directors members were elected during the meeting: Chair Terry Roberson of Bermuda CableVision; Vice Chair and Chair Elect Gaby Palerm of Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico; Past Chair David Burrows of Cable Bahamas; Director and Treasurer Mike Carrosquilla of Choice Cable TV (Puerto Rico); Director Andrew Greene of Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (Barbados); Director Beulah Jonis of St. Maarten Cable TV; Director Raul Ponson of SETAR N.V. (Aruba); Associate Director Patrick Harrell of Align Broadcasting; and Associate Director John T. Kurpinski, Sr. of Tarpon Communications.


Mark your calendars now for the 2016 Annual Meeting!

Next year's Annual Meeting will be held at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino from January 25 to 27. More details will be forthcoming in future editions of the Wavelengths Newsletter.

Irie! (everyt'ing good!)


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We Got Together to Feel All Right (CCTA Jamaican Style)!

The 32nd Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Cable & Telecommunications Association, held in lovely Montego Bay, Jamaica, is now a fond memory for the 323 individuals who participated. The setting was spectacular, the hospitality of the staffs of both the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Montego Bay Convention Centre was second to none, and business buzzed in the Exhibit Hall and during all networking opportunities. The Welcome Cocktail Party and Banquet on the Beach, featuring steel pan and reggae music respectively, took place on beautiful, clear evenings with a full moon shining overhead. Who will ever forget those breathtaking moments? Admittedly there were some hiccups and a few logistical challenges, but all in all the 2015 Annual Meeting can be considered a rousing success. Take a look at Will Yan's blog post on the Annual Meeting for an attendee's perspective on the event. COLUMN HERE

One Caribbean Television's festive exhibitor booth.

One Caribbean Television's festive exhibitor booth.

Participants represented 163 different companies or organizations from 27 distinct nations or jurisdictions in North America, South America, Europe and the Caribbean. There were 50 cable and telecommunications companies on hand to talk with programmers and hardware and software vendors, and many were first-time attendees at an Annual Meeting.

WWE pro wrestler Kofi Kingston poses with admirers at the CCTA Annual Meeting in Jamaica.

WWE pro wrestler Kofi Kingston poses with admirers at the CCTA Annual Meeting in Jamaica.

The Exhibit Hall featured 82 companies and included a special appearance by WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, courtesy of Fox International. If you would like a complete list of the 323 participants at the 2015 Caribbean Show, please send a request to CCTA Executive Director Andrea Martin at info@cctanet.com.


2015 Educational Sessions Inspire and Enlighten

The educational sessions had much to do with the success of the Annual Meeting. From individual speakers to panel discussions, each one presented innovative, educational, and enlightening information during the presentations. Keynote speaker, the Honourable Sandrea Falconer, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Jamaican Prime Minister, discussed "Globalized Communication and National Values: Opportunities and Challenges of the Converged World" to an appreciative audience.

Marketing Session 1, moderated by Jeff Kreger, was a lively discussion on "Managing the VOD and SVOD Storefront." The panel included Mike Curran of Vubiquity, Andreina Kock of SETAR N.V., and Teneile Simmons of Cable Bahamas. Marketing Session 2, "Excellence in Marketing and Advertising Strategies," featured outstanding presentations by Fernando Alcazar of SGA: “CCTA 2015”, “Chuito Discovers the Internet” and “Chuito Me Gusta La De Casi”; and one by Erik Russell of Keen i Media Ltd. (view Erik's talk here).

Not to be outdone, the two Technical Sessions were also well-received. Tom Gorman of opXL, Inc. discussed "Installing and Maintaining a Digital Headend" in Session 1 (click to download his PowerPoint presentation. Please note: this is a large file).

Quality Cable & Electronics presents its products and services in the Exhibit Hall during the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Quality Cable & Electronics presents its products and services in the Exhibit Hall during the 2015 Annual Meeting.

Bryan Grimm of Metaswitch covered "Bringing Hosted Business Services to Market" (click here to download his .pptx discussion; also a large file) in Technical Session 2.
We are very grateful to these speakers for their contributions to the Annual Meeting's educational sessions.

Riding The Waves of the Future: CCTA 2015 Annual Meeting

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WHAT: "RIDING THE WAVES OF THE FUTURE:
CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN" THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE CARIBBEAN CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION

WHERE: HILTON ROSE HALL RESORT AND MONTEGO BAY CONVENTION CENTRE IN MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA

WHEN: FEBRUARY 2 TO 5, 2015

WHO:

  • CABLE AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROVIDERS IN THE CARIBBEAN

  • PROGRAMMERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

  • GLOBAL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SUPPLIERS

  • INTERNET, TELEPHONY AND DATA INNOVATORS

WHY: BEST SHOW IN THE REGION!

For the first time in its 31-year history, the CCTA will hold its Annual Meeting on the beautiful island of Jamaica. The warm and hospitable city of Montego Bay will host the meeting. Activities will take place at two locations - the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Montego Bay Convention Centre - with easy access between both venues. A thorough review of the Schedule of Events will convince you that the Annual Meeting's well-crafted itinerary offers full educational sessions interspersed with social activities designed for networking, all in an exquisite Caribbean setting!


NEW: CONVENIENT ONLINE REGISTRATION!

Another first for the CCTA is our convenient new online registration. Whether your company is a member of the Association, or you represent a company which is not a CCTA member, you’ll find everything you need in one handy location.


REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE CCTA 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

Click here to easily access any of the following registration options:

  • Full and One-Day Registration for CCTA Member Attendees and Exhibitors

  • Full and One-Day Registration for Non-Member Attendees and Exhibitors

  • Sponsorships

If your company is a member of the Association and 2015 membership dues have been paid, or you are a representative of a non-member company, you can take advantage of special Advance Rates by registering early. The special Advance Rates are available only for registrations received through January 12, 2015.


RESERVE YOUR STAY AT THE JAMAICA HILTON ROSE HALL RESORT AND SPA FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL MEETING

The Hilton Rose Hall Resort has established a special reservations page for use by Annual Meeting attendees. Reservations must be made by January 16, 2015. By using the link above, you will ensure that you receive the specially-negotiated hotel room rate for your stay in Montego Bay.


HELPFUL INFORMATION, GUIDELINES AND FORMS

To ensure your effective and easy participation in the 2015 Annual Meeting and to help make the most of your stay in Jamaica, the CCTA has prepared the following Informational Documents and Guidelines for your use:


SPONSORSHIPS

The Annual Meeting relies heavily on the generosity of its participating companies, primarily through sponsorships, to cover the activities at the Annual Meeting. Visit this link to select and secure your sponsorships. Sponsorships must be selected by January 12, 2015, in order to receive proper recognition. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Executive Director at info@cctanet.com.


HIGHLIGHTS PARTICIPATION

Especially for Associate Members, the CCTA offers five-minute speaking spots during the Highlights Sessions on February 4. If you want to secure a spot, please download and complete the 2015 Highlights Participation Form and submit it to the Executive Director at info@cctanet.com or send by fax to 561-952-4002. Speaking slots are limited, so make sure you submit your request as soon as you have completed your Annual Meeting registration. Please read the conditions for participation closely.

We have provided plenty of information for you, but we think you'll find reading it very worthwhile. The CCTA's Board of Directors look forward to seeing you in warm, sunny Montego Bay in February. Pack those sunglasses and get ready for a bright mid-winter getaway!