WISPA21_Daily_2

WWW. WISPA .ORG 1 www.bekabusinessmedia.com A major highlight of WISPAPALOOZA 2021 was the annual WISPA Awards, held yesterday during a lunch ceremony in the Bally’s ballroom. Each year, WISPA uses its awards ceremony to honor companies and individuals in the WISP community that have gone “above and beyond” ordinary efforts to have a positive impact on the industry, over- come significant obstacles or exemplify the spirit of being a WISP, namely by helping others in their communities and “solving prob- lems that other people could not solve,” said Claude Aiken, president and CEO of WISPA, who co-presented the awards with Nathan Stooke, CEO of Wisper Internet and out-going but long-term WISPA board member. Considering the difficulties and challenges faced by just about everyone in the industry during the past 12 to 18 months, stemming largely from COVID-related illnesses, lockdowns and resultant supply chain issues, WISPA took a unique approach to its annual Triumph Award. Originally created to award a particular WISP that was able to triumph over seemingly insur- mountable odds, this year’s Triumph Award went to “all WISPs everywhere,” said Aiken, for the Herculean efforts they made across the country to provide high-speed access at a time when families, schools and businesses needed it the most, yet delivering it was more challenging than ever. “Never has robust and reliable connec- tivity been more essential than now,” noted Aiken. “The industry’s selfless work during the pandemic with the FCC’s Keep Americans Connected pledge, the Emergency Broadband Benefit, and ensuring their networks were always up and running no matter the strain, for all – this is truly yeoman’s work. Congrats, All WISPs, for your tremendous public service, unflagging spirit, and get it done attitude.” ‘All WISPs Everywhere’ Honored at Annual WISP Awards (Continued on page 4) L Z OO 2021 2 Photo courtesy sherylwatsonphotos.com