4 WISPAPALOOZA SHOW I OCTOBER 3 – 6, 2022 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 1 (Continued from page 1) “On top of all this, there’s tons of co-located activities. Great food, entertainment and of course, the Vegas night life,” Zumwalt said. He advised, “To get the most out of the four days, attendees should map out their stay through our Attendee Mobile App. We have so much going on. It’s a marathon of sorts. Though attendees can bounce from place to place, I suggest prioritizing the breakout sessions you want to see with the App. And the stuff you miss at the event – we’ll have all the slides and information available online which can be accessed afterwards.” Zumwalt said WISPA recognizes a lot of opportunity exists in coming years. Some of this is going to cause what he called “significant challenges.” “Core to our mission is growing our diverse and ever-changing membership base,” Zumwalt said. “As with any technology, broadband communications rapidly change, and that means our members change, too. “Wireless represents the bread and butter for most of our members – many of whom are small, local companies – but we see hybrid models playing an ever-bigger role in our members’ bottom lines,” he continued. “In this regard, the fiber marketplace will explode over the next five years.” A majority of WISPA already uses fiber, where it makes sense, he said. However, Zumwalt expects it continue will grow in popularity because consumers demand it. “So, we’ll have to expand our tent further to attract and serve that aspect of our membership,” Zumwalt said. “As with technology, this type of growth and evolution will never cease for the association.” Of course, if WISPA members can grow, then so will the organization. “The technology has never been better, and it keeps progressing,” Zumwalt said. “That boosts growth, clearly. But we see some moderate headwinds ahead which technology cannot really address. Government policy and its reach into our businesses has never been more formidable. The tens-of-billions of dollars of government subsidies and expanding regulatory mandates have had, and will continue to have, a tremendously distorting effect on our industry. “The key to mitigating this, as well as taking advantage of opportunities within this maelstrom, is expanding our advocacy efforts to more ably trumpet the interests of our industry at large to stay ahead of this tide,” Zumwalt said. “In this regard, and on top of our current federal advocacy efforts, we hope to develop a robust and truly proactive (not reactive) state team to help WISPA members realize all the opportunities pouring in on the state side.” He said this change will set up much of WISPA’s efforts during the next year or so, “especially as the subsidy spigot to the states – such as the NTIA’s $42 billion BEAD program – starts to flow.” In the meantime, Zumwalt is eager to meet and greet at WISPAPALOOZA 2022. “I look forward to getting to know this awesome community and am excited about new friendships which will emerge and flower from this conference,” he said. “We have such a great story to tell – that we can bring our communities new and ever-evolving levels of broadband connectivity quickly, virtually overnight, and at a cost that doesn’t break the bank. “It’s a product that almost sells itself,” Zumwalt added. “You know, I can’t wait to meet about 2,200 new friends – kind of like going to the first day of school. A little nervous, but totally eager to meet my new brothers and sisters out there.” His best advice for attendees, “Have fun and learn!” m L Z OO 2022 David M. Zumwalt WISPA President & CEO Dear WISPA and the WISPA membership that donated, When my wife first told me that we were in the running to get picked to receive a donation from your organization, with my luck, I couldn’t believe it. The thought of so many people that we had never even met before caring so much about what happened to me, was beyond compassionate. Shortly before the accident occurred, I had achieved financial stability for myself and my family for the first time in about a decade. I loved my job and was pulling my family out of debt. I was happy. We were happy. Then tragedy struck. When the doctors informed me that I had become a quadriplegic, I felt completely hopeless. I was no longer able to provide for my wife and three daughters nor to literally do anything for myself. Then I was told I had been selected to be the beneficiary of your organization’s charitable donation. I wept. I have never been selected for anything, let alone anything done out of such immense kindness. I have joined many social media groups to get in touch with other spinal cord injury and quadriplegics. I have learned how many of them have absolutely no quality of life due to their bodily limitations, financial insecurity, and lack of support. I too have extreme bodily limitations and very little support outside of my wife and children. This donation has given me opportunities and abilities that many quadriplegics don’t have and that nobody thinks about as basic day to day things we all do without thought, like turning on lights or the TV. The funds have been used in various ways. First and foremost, a well-built long lasting wheelchair ramp was installed which allows me to go outside in my power chair. Also, my wife purchased an Alexa device for me with light bulbs, so I can voice control my room and lights. We were able to acquire various medical equipment which was quite a relief as insurance covers very little in the day to day required needs such as bed pads, bed sheets, briefs, wipes, no rinse soaps and shampoos (as I do not currently have a way to shower), saline, catheter supplies, alcohol prep pads, and wedges to prevent bed sores. I was able to acquire a voice activated television which gives me not only some independence and entertainment but also some semblance of normalcy. The donation was also very helpful in keeping the bills paid, food on the table, and getting through the holidays with our three daughters while having no income and waiting on disability benefits to be approved. My favorite item purchased has been the hikers bladder that now hangs by my bed full of water. Being thirsty and always having to ask for a drink or wait until someone was awake to give me a drink was brutal. Now I can stay hydrated without the assistance. This tragedy floored our family and turned our lives completely upside-down. It has been a little over a year now and we are still heavily in an adjustment period, however, the WISPA donators have truly made a significant positive impact on this period of adjustment. Thank you all so much for your generosity and kindness. The donations you gave me were touching and more helpful than I can begin to describe. With deepest gratitude, Jason Bullock A Thank You Letter for a Generous WISPA Donation
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