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Staying on top of the advances in telecommunications and public safety … It’s a challenge This March – for 3 days – all of the energy, excitement and opportunity in public safety telecommunications will be focused in one place: the Omni Rosen Hotel in Orlando, Florida, where the 6th Annual Technical Development Conference (TDC) will take place, February 28 – March 3, 1999. The TDC is where you will:
Whether you are just beginning to learn about 9-1-1 or have been working for years in the industry, the Technical Development Conference is where you want to be February 28 – March 3, 1999. Please join us in Orlando. Charlie Bonney Q. Why do hundreds of participants come from around the country each year to attend the Technical Development Conference of the National Emergency Number Association? A. Because it is the premier opportunity to help shape the future of public safety communications, and the only place to bring yourself up to speed on the issues and challenges facing the new competitive Telco industry and the impact on 9-1-1. Wireless communications, competition for local dial tone, and changing network technologies are bringing fast paced change to the public safety telecommunications industry. NENA’s Technical Development Conference is at the heart of these exciting changes. At this prestigious annual gathering, the year’s major technological topics will be discussed and new recommended standards will be developed. Since its launch in 1994, the Technical Development Conference has served as the leading event for the discussion of technologies, issues, and policies relevant to public safety telecommunications. With over 400 attendees, the Technical Development conference will make an important contribution to the 9-1-1 profession. Still wondering if you should attend? If you work in any of these areas, you should attend the Technical Development Conference.
* Note: This year’s Technical Development Conference is open to Active Members of NENA. Before deciding to attend, however, please read and understand the ground rules for participation listed below. The Technical Development Conference provides you with the information you need.
Ground Rules for Participation The Technical Development Conference is a working conference. There are no exhibits, there is no marketing or sales by vendors. It is an opportunity to learn through sharing and focusing on solutions to issues. The following describes a set of informal “ground rules” that have evolved over the previous three Technical Development Conferences: 1. The TDC is a workshop intended to develop technical solutions with national and international application. Solutions are developed by conference attendees, many of whom are NENA members. Please leave your affiliation at the door. 2. The TDC is a working session that starts at 8:30 a.m. and continues until 5:00 p.m. No other activities are allowed to conflict with the conference program. There are no shows, no trips, no banquets. Please come prepared to work. 3. As in previous TDC Conferences, there will be no vendor exhibits or equipment demonstrations. 4. If you are coming to observe and learn about the technical aspects of 9-1-1, you are welcome. Feel free to observe, absorb, and network with the attendees. We encourage discussions outside of, and after, the track sessions. 5. Please do not disrupt the workshops with questions not germane to the discussion at hand, or questions specific only to your home area or organization. 6. The TDC is a forum to develop technical solutions. Cost considerations and political correctness are not priorities. If this is your first TDC or exposure to 9-1-1, we strongly urge you to visit the NENA website at www.nena9-1-1.org to review the 9-1-1 tutorial and the recommended NENA Standards. NENA has become the premier public safety industry organization for defining technical issues and recommending solutions for technology service providers, equipment manufacturers and industry related standard setting bodies. At present there are four Technical Committees:
Members of NENA’s Technical Committees are industry experts from both the public and private sectors. Within each committee there are a number of Study Groups working on specific technical issues. When an issue overlaps Study Groups, we have formed Joint Study Groups to work on that issue. The four tracks at the Technical Development Conference parallel the NENA Technical Committees. The Conference may therefore be seen as an opportunity for attendees to have input to the work of the Technical Committees by raising questions or helping to develop solutions to the issues brought up at the conference. This conference has, over the years, proven to be unique in its ability to identify and prioritize issues facing 9-1-1, then work toward the development of plausible and effective solutions to those ongoing issues. Because issues are often complex and cannot be resolved in the context of a three-day conference, many issues are referred back to the respective Study Groups and Joint Study Groups for ongoing work throughout the year. Some of the subjects to be addressed:
Conference Objectives/Outcomes
Network – Bob Gojanovich/Jeff Tasker/Jeff Crollick E9-1-1 Data Base The E9-1-1 Data Base course has been developed to explain how E9-1-1 data bases are built and maintained. It is targeted to those who are about to begin working on the E9-1-1 data base process at the telephone company, competitive access provider, or vendor. This 8-hour course costs just $195.00 and includes all instructional fees, lunch, breaks and course materials. Managing the 9-1-1 Center A special version of the Managing the 9-1-1 Center course will be offered at the Technical Development Conference, targeted to telephone company managers and vendor representatives. Topics include job task banks, the requirements and legalities of selection and hiring procedures, learning organizations and other new approaches to training, the importance of sound standard operating procedures, your role as a manager, secrets to effective 9-1-1 management, solving real life issues and more. This 6-hour course costs just $195 and includes all instructional fees, lunch, breaks and course materials. Tentative Agenda Monday – March 1 Tuesday – March 2 Wednesday – March 3 Omni Rosen Hotel Literally at the hub of Orlando’s famous attractions, the Omni Rosen Hotel gives you luxurious accommodations, superb service, and resort-style amenities. Each beautifully decorated guest room and suite includes remote-control TV, in-room movies and video games, video folio review/check-out, and in-room safe. Hotel Room Rates $133.00 plus tax, single or double, per night. All reservations must be guaranteed by a credit card or a one night’s room + tax deposit. Any room reservation not secured by a deposit will be released back to the hotel at the cutoff date of January 27, 1998. Cancellation of any reservations must be received by the hotel 3 days in advance of arrival in order to avoid charges to the credit card or forfeit of the deposit. Hotel Cut-off Date Make your reservations before January 29, 1999. After this date all remaining sleeping rooms will be released back to the hotel for resale. Reservations after this cut-off date WILL be accepted based on availability at the conference rate. WE WILL SELL OUT OUR SLEEPING ROOMS. DO NOT DELAY. MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY! NENA and Preferred Travel Group have arranged special Technical Development Conference airfares with Delta Airlines. If you book your reservation at least 60 days prior to departure you can save 10% off the lowest excursion fare or 15% off Standard Coach Class. Zone discount fares are also available. In order to receive a discount zone fare you must book your reservation at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Zone fares do not require a Saturday night stay, but seats are very limited. Do not wait. Book now for the best availability. Preferred Travel Group 800-869-8845 ARE YOU LATE IN REGISTERING? JUST COME AND REGISTER ON-SITE. SEE YOU IN ORLANDO. |