QUISPAMSIS, N.B. – We may be in the dog days of summer right now, but it’s already less than seven weeks to the only Canadian cable show, the Canadian Cable Systems Alliance’s Connect Conference and AGM set for September 20-22 at Mont Tremblant, Que. (right)
A few hundred cable company, programming supplier and technical vendor representatives will make their way to this popular resort north of Montreal to network, deal-make (and commiserate), as well as learn best practices from each other. “Our focus this year is on members learning from members – a lot of ‘best practices’,” said CCSA president and CEO Alyson Townsend in an interview.
The Monday program even has a slot built into it meant for nothing but meetings and networking, where in the past, each hour was accounted for with sessions and seminars (which will still make up most of Sunday’s members-only day).
Each year the CCSA polls its membership (independent consumer communications providers) and last year, those members asked that more time be set aside to talk to each other. It’s important, said Townsend, that her members find out they “have friends out there who are in similar situations – and then learn from each other.”
So far, she adds, CCSA members have liked what they’ve learned from the CRTC’s Talk TV policies. They like the idea of a Wholesale TV code of conduct. “We feel very good about it. We needed some ammunition. We needed a platform to deal with the VI companies,” said Townsend.
Her members are also excited about being able to offer a skinny basic package and more a-la-carte options to their customers. “The whole idea of a small basic is very interesting to them and that’ll be one thing discussed at our annual meeting: What does that look like, what’s optimal, how are we going to put that together, how are we going to market it and what does that do to our other packaging?” she explained.
“The Talk TV decision, in a way, has given them a new lease on life – they see they have the ability now to do some of the things they’ve always wanted to do in terms of packaging.”
That doesn’t mean these independent operators still don’t worry. They (along with the great big companies, too) worry about the effect over-the-top video is having and will have on their businesses. “They realize their business is changing and that broadband is what it’s all about – and what their role in that delivery mechanism is going to be,” explained Townsend.
“The Talk TV decision, in a way, has given them a new lease on life – they see they have the ability now to do some of the things they’ve always wanted to do in terms of packaging.” – Alyson Townsend, CCSA
There are even some members who have pondered whether or not they will still offer traditional linear video in the future. “There has been discussion around that, but I don’t think anybody is willing to stop delivery of video at this point in time,” she added. “I would say there is a real re-examination going on because I don’t think people are as frightened of that idea as they may have been. They are more resigned to the fact that things are changing, and maybe even excited about it.
“It’s a new world and that they are ready to play in that new world, whatever that might look like,” said Townsend.
“I don’t get a doom and gloom impression. I get more a sense that people are taking their time to think it through and they’re not reacting to everything. They are trying to be measured in their approach.”
SUNDAY’S MEMBERS-ONLY DAY at the Connect conference will be packed with interactive workshops on the CRTC’s Talk TV decision, video packaging strategies, marketing & customer service, and the connected home, followed by an evening of cocktails for all delegates.
Monday will feature just one speaker, but she’s a good one: Frances Frei of the Harvard Business School. Many who have attended the CTAM University courses regularly report she is their favourite lecturer, says Townsend. Frei will be speaking about providing exceptional customer service. Professor Frei’s research and teaching is geared towards “designing, managing, and scaling exceptional service organizations,” reads her bio. She is the co-author of the book Uncommon Service: How to Win by Putting Customers at the Core of Your Business.
Monday will also see the Connect Showcase trade show for specialty services and tech vendors and the evening 
board of directors dinner will celebrate the member and supplier of the year as well as honour the winners of Tuned In Canada community media awards (which will be emceed by Cartt.ca editor and publisher Greg O’Brien, who helped judge the awards).
The evening’s feature entertainer is celebrated Canadian comedian Ron James (who was another one of the Tuned In Canada judges along with TV5’s Suzanne Gouin).
Tuesday is the conference’s fun day with the annual golf tournament or a trip to the spa for the non-golfers.
To register or to see additional conference information, please click here.
