WISPAPALOOZA Show Daily Day 3

4 WISPA PALOOZA SHOW I OCTOBER 8 - 12, 2018 www.bekabusinessmedia.com DAY 3 L Z OO 2018 I t’s tough to ever be fully prepared for the type of devastation that hit Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands as two Category 5 hurricanes tore through the Caribbean less than two weeks apart in September 2017. But in Wednesday’s keynote address at WISPA- PALOOZA 2018, WISPs Gino Villarini of AeroNet in Puerto Rico and Mike Melusky of Broadband VI in the U.S. Virgin Islands offered some sound advice in terms of what to do to prepare for a hurricane and what can be expected after one strikes. Indeed, the imagery of the aftermath of Hurri- cane Irma and Hurricane Maria was nothing less than heart-wrenching. In addition to the wrecked homes and buildings, one picture showed a 10-foot dish “folded up like a cheap towel,” recalled Melusky. In another, a large cell tower laid on its side looking more like a twisted roller coaster than telecommunications infrastructure. Among the many tips and caveats the two keynote speakers provided, perhaps the most important advice was to make sure companies have an emergency plan in place that prioritizes safety first, and revise that plan regularly. Expec- tations for shortages of fuel, food, water, building supplies and housing are somewhat intuitive, but Melusky reminded the audience to have plenty of cash on hand, as banks, ATMs and even the ability to process credit card transactions could be down. He also suggested adding a chainsaw to the list of pre-disaster items, since downed trees could be obstacles to reaching towers and equipment. And it’s probably a good idea to establish places and times to meet after the storm for friends, family and co-workers. In terms of equipment, the two suggested sticking to only armored cable, two stiff arms per dish and sealant on all connections. And choose sites wisely. “During a storm, rain comes from everywhere, even upside down,” recalled Villarini. It’s also wise to have pre-established plans with suppliers. Access to shipping and transpor- tation can be very limited after a storm. Adding ordering and inventory issues will only exag- gerate the problems. And don’t be reliant on the government or outside help, Villarini warned. In Puerto Rico, he said, FEMA was more concerned with helping larger companies and major service providers, leaving smaller WISPs to their own devices. As much as anything, Melusky and Villarini suggested WISPs maintain good relationships with their insurance providers. That includes not only insurance for the damages but for business interruption as well. After all, no internet means no customers can be billed. Even two months later in November, AeroNet was able to only bill 40 percent of pre-storm customers and just 80 percent in December. The good news, both AeroNet and Broadband VI, just barely a year removed from the disas- ters, have more customers today than before the storm. And in some cases, the tragedy opened the eyes of larger business customers that real- ized they needed a wireless back-up to their multiple fiber connections. And while not all customers will be patient, tales of the willingness of survivors to pinch in, lend each other a hand and come together where the most help is needed were truly heartwarming and a testament to the human spirit. m TUESDAY7:30 PM- 10:00 PM AMAZONBALLROOM 8 th ANNUAL Awards Ceremony Spon ore By This April, our family was hit with devastating news. We are the proud parents of four beautiful children, Jacob (7), Katelyn (5), Mason (3), and Logan (1). Our oldest, Jacob, in a year went from being a healthy six-year-old boy running, climbing and playing - to not being able to walk, talk, or eat by himself. After a year of desperately searching for answers and watching helplessly as Jacob rapidly lost skills, we received a terrifying answer: Niemann-Pick Type C, which is neurodegenerative, without a cure and fatal. It is a very rare genetic disorder and is sometimes referred to as ‘Childhood Alzheimers’. Although our other children seemed healthy, we had them tested as they had a 1 in 4 chance of also having the disease. After about four agonizing weeks of waiting, we were again devastated to find out our three-year-old and one-year-old also have the debilitating disease. That means three out of our four children have the awful disease that, without help, will cause them to progressively suffer more and more and then lose their lives. The day we found out was the hardest day of our lives. WISPA CHARITY AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE RUBEN FAMILY https://www.32auctions.com/wispapalooza2018 The WISPA family was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lily Rin Wint. Two-and-a-half-year-old Lily Rin was to be the beneficiary of this year’s charity auction, though sadly, she passed away on May 28, 2018, Memorial Day. Lily Rin was the beloved niece of Justin Russell, a Lead Field Tech at ISP Management; And from what we’ve learned, she was a remarkable little girl who touched everyone she met with her charming personality and sweet spirit. To Lily Rin’s parents, her uncle Justin, and the rest of your family and loved ones, we send you our sincerest condolences. TUESDAY7:30 PM- 10:00 PM AMAZONBALLROOM 8 th ANNUAL Awards Ceremony Sponsored By This April, our family was hit with devastating news. We are the proud parents of four beautiful children, Jacob (7), Kately (5), Mason (3), and Logan (1). Our oldest, Jacob, in a year went from being a healthy six-year-old boy running, climbing and playing - to n t being able to walk, talk, or eat b himself. After a year of desperatel searching for answers and watching helplessly as Jacob rapidly lost skills, we r ceived a terrifying answer: Niemann-Pick T pe C, which is neurodegenerativ , without cure a d f tal. It is a very rare genetic disorder and is sometimes referred to as ‘Childhood Alzheimers’. Although our other children seemed healthy, we had them tested as they had a 1 in 4 chance of also having the disease. After about four agonizing w eks of waiting, we w re ag in d vastated to find out our three-year-old and on -year-old also have the debilitating disease. That m ans three out of our four children have t awful disease that, without help, will cause them to progr s ively suffer more and more and then lose their lives. The day we found out was the hardest day of our lives. WISPA CHARITY AUCTION TO BENEFIT THE RUBEN FAMILY https://www.32auctions.com/wispapalooza2018 The WISPA family was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Lily Rin Wint. wo-and-a-h lf-year-old Lily Rin was to be the beneficiary of this year’s charity auction, though sadly, she passed way on May 28, 2018, M morial D y. Lily Rin was the beloved niece f Justin Russell, a Lead Field Tech at ISP Managem nt; And from what we’ve learned, she was a remarkable little girl who touched everyon she met with her charming personality and weet spirit. To Lily Rin’s parents, er un le Justin, and the rest of your family and loved ones, we send you our sincerest condol ces. Plans for Survival: Wednesday’s Keynote