McAllen to Host Texas Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors Annual Conference, Awards Ceremony
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Oct 2, 2022, 0 Comments
Courtesy Xochitl Mora,
Organization serves as a resource to cities in Texas with local government channels
The City of McAllen is proudly hosting this year’s Texas Association of Telecommunication Officers and Advisors (TATOA) Annual Conference and Award Ceremony, which will be held from November 2-4, 2022 at the McAllen Convention Center.
TATOA, the Texas chapter of NATOA, is a professional organization of individuals and organizations serving citizens in the development, regulation, and administration of cable television and other telecommunications systems.
With over 35 member organizations and approximately 75 communities in Texas with a local Public. Education. Government. (P.E.G.) channel, organizers are expecting attendees from throughout the state. The conference is open to both those in the industry who create programming and content for P.E.G. channels and the attorneys and policy makers who monitor the governance and regulatory changes that affect the broadcast of P.E.G. channels.
“Thanks to TATOA, our member organizations have been able to not only learn from the best of the best but also, share ideas and make contacts that will help them in developing and creating content for their P.E.G. channels that their communities can be proud of,” said David McElroy, Director for TVSA (City of San Antonio) and TATOA Board President.
This year’s conference theme is “Ignite. Inspire. Imagine.” Conference attendees will walk away transformed and impacted by the educational sessions, that give programmers ideas and tips on how to create more informative and entertaining content, and will be tailored for beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. On the policy side, speakers will cover the latest developments in available broadband funding, communications and cable policy regulation, and public rights-of-way management best practices. TATOA will also recognize and celebrate the best of the best, honoring programming in over 30 categories at the Government Programming Awards Ceremony, including Overall Excellence in Programming.
“I am so excited to welcome TATOA to the wonderful city of McAllen, to celebrate and experience the rich and vibrant culture that is a part of all of the events we host here in McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley,” said City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos.
“I am especially proud that cities from across Texas see the importance of our P.E.G. channels and are coming to learn how to create programming so that the information
about their local governments reaches their residents. P.E.G. channels are critical to help keep residents informed and protecting this broadcast is important for all communities,” added Villalobos.
Echoing that sentiment, McElroy emphasized that “P.E.G. channels reflect the decisions of our elected officials, the direction of our municipal governments. The presentations and sessions at the annual TATOA conference give us the tools, knowledge and ideas to promote those entities even better. I encourage P.EG. channel content creators and programmers, as well as attorneys and policy makers for P.E.G. channels from throughout Texas to come be a part of this special conference taking place right here in McAllen this year,” he concluded.
Additionally, industry vendors are invited to participate in the conference’s trade show, which is expected to feature vendors and suppliers from around the state.
Event sponsors include City of McAllen Office of Communications; Creed Global Media; Digital Resources, Inc.; Lloyd Gosselink Attorneys at Law; Nelco Media; McAllen Chamber of Commerce/Visit McAllen; and Rushworks.
Opportunities to attend the day-and-a-half-long convention are still available. Visit www.tatoatexas.org to register today and to see a complete schedule of the sessions offered. Additionally, a virtual registration for policy sessions only is also available. As an added bonus to conference attendees, door prizes will be given away at the various sessions and events.
Early Bird registration is still available through October 7, 2022. The host hotel for the conference is the Cambria Hotel. For more information, please contact Xochitl Mora at xmora@mcallen.net or (956) 681-1202.
