Midwest Expo Registration Now Open!
OCTOBER 28-30, 2008

The 27th annual Midwest Telecom Expo will be held October 28-30 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the Grand Wayne Convention Center and Hilton Hotel. 

Check out the outstanding program, the exhibitors, and other information about the Expo at www.midwesttelecomexpo.com.  

BOOTH SPACE: To register your booth securely online, click http://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=MIDW43E&OID=130.
This will register your booth only. You must register exhibitors separately.

ATTENDEES & EXHIBITORS:To register attendees & exhibitors (vendors), please visit http://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=MIDW39E&OID=130. You must register your booth separately from your exhibitors.

Payment may be by either credit card or check.

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***IMPORTANT NOTE: The registration application ONLY works in Internet Explorer. We apologize for the inconvenience. Using another browser may result in an incomplete registration.***
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The Fort Wayne Hilton Hotel will again serve as the headquarters hotel with overflow rooms at the Holiday Inn Downtown and the Fort Wayne Marriott. For reservations at the Fort Wayne Hilton, please call 260-420-1100. You will need to mention the group/event code--MTE--to book within the block. Links or telephone numbers for reserving rooms at other hotels are provided on the online registration site and also on the Expo web site. Please make reservations at one of these hotels as soon as possible but prior to September 16, following which rooms will be subject to availability.

Expo Sponsorships
The Midwest Expo also provides opportunities to increase company visibility to attendees from Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois through Sponsorships. An Expo Sponsorship Opportunity order form is available HERE!

Corning Cable and Embarq Logistics will sponsor the cocktails and beverages for the Welcome Reception.  National Farmers Union Insurance and Metaswitch are our Platinum Sponsors.  Silver Sponsors include Gensoft Systems, and Bronze Sponsors are Alloptic and NISC. Electricom will be providing Thursday morning’s hot breakfast.  Other Expo sponsors are listed on the Expo web site. We greatly appreciate the support of these companies.

2008 Convention Report
The 88^th annual convention, chaired by Mark Dickerson of Pulaski-White RTC, drew over 160 attendees to the French Lick Springs Resort. The Convention featured an outstanding program featuring Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, golf tournaments, and a Hypnotist. Thanks to Mark Dickerson for chairing the Convention and to Chuck Skelton, Electricom, for chairing the golf tournaments.  Preliminary planning for the 2009 convention has begun – June 2-4, 2009 at French Lick Springs and West Baden Resort. 

For those interested, photos from the Governors address and lunch are posted online here: http://www.itainfo.org/GovPhotos.htm

Annual Convention Awards Ceremony recognizes Richard Higgins with the Pacesetter Award
The Awards Ceremony conducted at the Annual Convention is always a moving experience when deserving individuals who have been nominated by their peers are recognized.  Richard Higgins received the Pacesetter Award in recognition of his contributions to the industry on June 4, 2008. This award was created to reward people who have performed unusual service for the benefit of the telephone industry through the ITA or national industry programs. Requirements include service performance strictly within the state and/or national industry framework with emphasis placed on current accomplishments; activities must have benefited the Indiana and/or national telephone industries and furthered the ITA program. Employees of all member companies are eligible.

Welcome New Members
The following companies have recently had Category III membership applications approved by the ITA Board.  We welcome them to the association and encourage member patronization of their companies.

CHR Solutions, Inc. Web Site: www.chrsolutions.com 2711 LBJ Freeway, Suite 560, Dallas, TX 75234-7321
Roger Hutton, President Telecommunications & Infrastructure, T: 972-484-2323, Fax: 972-243-6139, E-mail: roger.hutton@chrsolutions.com  
Bill Barnes, Director Business Development, T: 309-484-2050, E-mail: bill.barnes@chrsolutions.com   
Lori Vergin, Sr. Vice Pres. & Chief Market Strategist, T: 715-837-4100, E-mail: lori.vergin@chrsolutions.com  
Kent Larsen, Sr. Vice President Financial Services, T: 972-892-7533, E-mail: kent.larsen@chrsolutions.com
Vince Tyson, Sr. Vice President Engineering & System Integration, T: 806-722-7756, E-mail: vince.tyson@chrsolutions.com,
Steven Steele, Vice President Technology Consulting, T: 972-484-2323, E-mail: steven.steele@chrsolutions.com
Jo Shotwell, Sr. Vice Pres.-Business Compliance, T: 512-343-2544, E-mail: jo.shotwell@chrsolutions.com
Assist to ensure compliance/continuity, and align information technology to business goals. Expertise includes Internet Protocol (VOIP, IPTV, IT networks, managed services and applications); engineering; wireless and IT network design; loan design; regulatory compliance; cost separations; tariffs; strategic planning & market assessments; operations plans; financial modeling; code acquisition; provisioning and administration.

Clearaccess website: www.clearaccess.com 1301 NE 144th St Ste 119, Vancouver, WA  98685
Deborah Horan, Business Development T: 360-713-0762, Fax: 360-576-2980, E-mail: dhoran@clearaccess.com
Joel Pennington, Director of Business Development, Email: jpennington@clearaccess.com 
Matt Bero, Sales Engineer, E-mail:  mbero@clearaccess.com
ClearAccess offers TR069-based DSL and Ethernet gateway solutions that address the growing need for automatic subscriber activation, remote gateway management, and new revenue streams.  The ClearVision Management System decreases operational expenses and churn through greater WAN/LAN support capabilities as well as increasing profitability through the delivery of new data services.

Current Technologies Computer Learning Center Web Site: www.ctclc.com 6210 Central Ave.  Portage, IN 46368
Alan Gardner, CEO T: 219-764-3800 Fax: 219-764-3805, E-mail: agardner@ctclc.com
Wally Gardner, Chief Administrative Officer E-mail: wgardner@ctclc.com
Donna Doan, Director of Admission, E-mail: ddoan@ctclc.com
Patsy Cain, Director of Operations, E-mail: pcain@ctclc.com
Current Technologies is a computer training center that provides trainer led classes in Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, Certiport, ITIL and many other areas with an emphasis is on certification at the end of each course. Current Technologies Computer Learning Center can also help Indiana companies obtain grant money to help defray the cost of IT training.

Finley Engineering Company, Inc. Web Site: www.fecinc.com 6251 Paris Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324 Phone: 859-231-9831 Fax: 859-233-0046
Ann Keller, P.E. /VP, E-mail: a.keller@fecinc.com
Mike Gentry, P.E., E-mail: m.gentry@fecinc.com
Finley Engineering Services - Electrical Power Engineering Services, Power Optic System Engineering, CATV Engineering, Surveying & Mapping, Telephone System Engineering, Wireless Telecom, Right of Way Services and Environmental Services

JDH Contracting, Inc. Web Site: www.jdhcontracting.com 8109 Network Drive, Plainfield, IN 46168
Paul McJunkin, CFO, T: 317-839-0520 Fax: 317-838-0925, E-mail: pmcjunkin@jdhcontracting.com
JD Harris, President/Owner, Email: jharris@jdhcontracting.com
Dave Tesmer, Director Fiber Division, Email: dtesmer@jdhcontracting.com
Ed Evans, Project Manager, Fiber Division, Email: eevans@jdhcontracting.com
Scott Sontag, VP Construction, Email: ssontag@jdhcontracting.com
Chris Lowe, Project Manager, Wireless Division, Email: clowe@jdhcontracting.com
Utility general contractor performing fiber, copper, splicing, testing, engineering, wireless, cell tower, facility maintenance, aerial and underground construction.

Taqua, LLC Web Site: www.taqua.com 740 E. Campbell Rd., Richardson, TX 75081
Frederick Reynolds, VP Marketing T: 972-692-1971 Fax: 972-437-2762, Email: freynolds@taqua.com
Jim Schuster, Regional Sales Director T: 224-520-0336, Email: jim.schuster@taqua.com
Todd Daniels, VP Sales T: 972-692-1989, Email: todd.daniels@taqua.com
Taqua provides the leading Class 5 switch replacement platform and offers enhanced IP or TDM applications including Unified Messaging driven from MS Outlook and IE toolbars and Web Portals. Other applications offered include Hosted Call Center/ACD, Conferencing/Collaboration and Multimedia Mobility.

ITA Welcomes New Administrative Staff
The new voice that you will hear when you call the ITA offices is that of Lauren Howey.  Lauren is a student at IUPUI finishing her undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education and will be working part-time.  She will be finishing her final student teaching in the fall of 2009.  Lauren brings skills in editing and publication layout to the office in addition to her great general office background.  If you are in Indianapolis, stop by the office and meet Lauren and see Krista and John as well.  

ITA Blog
The ITA has just started blogging! Visit our blogspot for updates and to comment on current events! http://itainfo.blogspot.com/ 

Membership Resource Guide Corrections / Updates
ITA apologizes for any errors in the Membership Resource Guide. Please make the following corrections to your Membership Guide:

National Directory Assistance
Web Site: www.nationalda.com
12700 Shelbyville Road, The Danville Building
Louisville, KY  40243
T:  502-244-4174
Fax:  502-244-4174
Gary Robertson, President, E-mail: gr@nationalda.com
Stephen Ferry, Vice President, E-mail: ferrysj@nationalda.com

Galloway Group, Inc.
Web Site: www.teamgalloway.com
2571 Ferris Rd.
Columbus, OH  43224
Bill Conry, Account Rep., T: 614-414-0861, Fax: 614-414-0976, E-mail: billconry@teamgalloway.com
Eric Hall, General Manager, T: 614-414-0861, E-mail:  ehall@ironhedllc.com
Carla Tennison, Inside Sales Rep., T: 614-414-0861, E-mail:  carlat@teamgalloway.com
Dave Galloway, President, T:  239-481-7448, E-mail:  davegalloway.com 
Galloway Group, Inc. is the stocking distributor of OSP construction products, including fiber optic cable, HDPE innerduct,PVC/Sch 40 and C-duct, sweeps, split-steel pipe, handholes, splice closures, and accident prevention supplies.   Galloway Group, Inc. is also a Railhead Dealer for HDD and trenching machine replacement parts with yards in Ohio and Indiana.
 

Membership Notes
Graybar recently promoted Ron Petrie to Outside Sales Representative covering Indiana Service Providers.  Ron has been with Graybar 13 years and will be a great addition to our team.  Ron's contact info is Ronald.Petrie@Graybar.com or 810-240-8245.   Ron is supported by our Central Service Provider Team at 800-655-9000 or PBMNQuotes@Graybar.com

Vantage Point Solutions Announces Red Flag Rules Manual and Webinar:
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACT Act) was signed into law on December 4, 2003.  It directs six federal agencies to issue joint guidelines and rules regarding the detection, prevention and mitigation of identity theft.  The new rules require financial institutions and creditors (including telecommunications companies) to identify possible risks to account holders.  Is your company ready for compliance with the new FACT Act Red Flag Rules by the November 1, 2008 deadline?  If not, Vantage Point Solutions (VPS) has a Red Flag Manual and training webinar that will help your company comply with these new rules.  VPS is offering their manual and webinar training as a combination package.  The webinar will guide you through the utilization of the manual and explain the new rules.  The manual has been designed to be tailored to your company’s compliance needs. With this VPS package you will be ready for compliance on November 1st.  Please contact VPS if your company is interested in the manual and the training webinar or for more information.   Contact Darren Dierbeck @ Darren.dierbeck@vantagepnt.com or 612-860-8917.

If you'd like to submit information for the newsletter, please email
Krista Edstene at krista@itainfo.org.
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