WISPAPALOOZA Fall 2017 - Day 2 Show Daily

L Z OO 2017 4 WISPAPA LOOZA 2017 SHOW I OCTOBER 9 - 13, 2017 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 2 Stooke went on to thank the WISPA staff, who has been managing this growth; the show agenda committee; and the WISPA board members, and he encouraged WISPA members to consider running for the board, joining agenda committees and deepening their involvement with the association. “It isn’t as daunting as it may seem,” said Stooke. After reviewing some of the changes to the WISPAPALOOZA schedule for 2017, Stooke passed the microphone to Jimmy Carr, a WISPA director and chair of the Legislative Committee, to update attendees on activities on Capitol Hill. That includes efforts to gain access to more spectrum and relief for WISPs from needless over-regulation and legislative bureaucracy. Carr also called for support for the recently formed WISP PAC (political action committee), created to help elect representatives in Washington who are friendly to the WISP industry. Following Carr was Layne Sisk, an agenda committee member who spoke about the charity event chosen for WISPAPALOOZA 2017. A few years ago, WISPA started charity auctions for each show, “and we have had the opportunity to have a pretty significant impact on some lives,” said Sisk. Among the several possible causes, this year the auction was being held for Kimmy Brooks, a 26-year-old single mother, recently divorced from an abusive relationship, who suffered a near-fatal boating accident. On a water skiing excursion this summer, Brooks was climbing back into the boat when it slipped into reverse. “The propeller of the boat tore up her leg and abdomen, and came within less than an inch of her femoral artery,” recanted Sisk. Brooks, who will attend Wednesday night’s Annual Awards Dinner, not only miraculously survived but is fighting her way back to full health. Those who would like to contribute to the cause can take part in a silent online auction at 32auctions.com/wispapalooza2017. Finally, Stooke closed the morning’s opening remarks by issuing a challenge to WISPA- PALOOZA attendees. Despite the fact that there has been “no better time to be a WISP,” said Stooke, it would be foolish to put heads in the sand when it comes to the challenges and problems WISPs face, both as small business owners and as contestants in a highly competi- tive data-comm ecosystem. Stooke encouraged WISPAPALOOZA attendees to share their chal- lenges and issues with each other in an effort to face and tackle those challenges. Of course, sharing challenges and problems can sometimes put us in a vulnerable position, but Stooke assured the audience that “others share your challenges,” and that such an open and honest dialog is the only way “to get to the root cause of problems,” he said. “You only get out of the show what you put into it,” said Stooke. m (WISP Story, continued from page 1) WISPAPALOOZA’s Recent Growth 2015 2016 2017 Sponsors 20 23 36 Exhibitors 106 122 129 Speakers 130 128 131 Sessions 60 66 91 Attendees 1,383 1,658 1,788+ Altelix Booth #145 Visitors to the Altelix booth should ask about show specials for WISPs on Cell Phone Booster Expansion Kits. In-Booth Promos & Giveaways Day 2 of WISPAPALOOZA and Day 1 of the expo started with a warm breakfast, warmer coffee and welcoming remarks from WISPA representatives.