Second Annual Conference on Broadband Draws 430 from Across the State

News provided by

Connected Nation

Oct 30, 2014, 18:25 ET


Lansing, MI (PRWEB) October 30, 2014 -- More than four hundred attendees convened at the Radisson Hotel in Lansing for the 2014 Michigan Broadband Conference. Community broadband champions, technology providers, and policymakers from across the state discussed best practices and shared strategies for leveraging technology to enhance and sustain the economic standing and quality of life for all Michigan communities. A significant number of viewers also participated via the live stream.

“We were excited to facilitate a conference that highlighted the emerging need for, and economic benefits of, investing in and implementing high-speed broadband,” said Eric Frederick, Connect Michigan’s executive director. “We aspired to stimulate discussions among providers, policymakers and community leaders that had the potential for shaping the development of broadband policies across the state.”

“Four hundred and twenty-five people at a broadband conference in Michigan—I think it says volumes. There is a buzz,” said Allyson Knox, director of education policy and programs, Microsoft.

“I’ve been excited about all the energy and the discussions about digital inclusion across the state,” said Lisa Chambers, national executive director, TechCorps. “I’ve just got to say kudos to Connected Nation and Connect Michigan for making the inclusion of girls in STEM, and the challenges of access in rural parts of the country, a part of the conversation.”

To recognize the outstanding contributions individuals and organizations have made towards increasing broadband service in the state, Connect Michigan created the Michigan Broadband Hero Awards.

Broadband Hero awards were presented to:

  • Air Advantage
  • Charter Communications
  • Ogemaw County Technology Planning Team
  • HARBOR, Inc. Broadband Team
  • Chris Christensen
  • UP 911 Authority
  • Melanie Bell
  • Representative Gretchen Driskell
  • Senator Goeff Hansen
  • Rosalie Myers
  • Brenda Bachelder
  • Adele Woskobojnik

The conference, co-hosted with the Schools, Health, Libraries and Broadband Coalition (SHLB) was made possible by the following sponsors:
Michigan Public Service Commission, Frontier Communications, COMLINK, Courtland Consulting, Charter Business, AARP, Clark Hill, PLC, Peninsula Fiber Network, US Signal, ACD.net, Lynx Network Group, CenturyLink, and the Straits Area Technology Group.

Presentations and photos will soon be added to our conference webpage.

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About Connect Michigan: As the designated entity for broadband mapping and planning in the state of Michigan, Connect Michigan is a public-private partnership between the Michigan Public Service Commission and Connected Nation to work with local governments, businesses, and citizens in the goal of increasing broadband service in the state’s underserved areas. For more information about what Connect Michigan is doing to accelerate technology in Michigan’s communities, visit http://www.connectmi.org.

Follow Connect Michigan on Facebook or Twitter.

Jessica Ditto, Connected Nation, http://www.connectednation.org/, +1 (202) 251-4749, [email protected]