Originally appeared in the October 2006 NHCCM Community TV Monitor
by Jamie Cadorette, pbCAM, Plymouth, NH
I had the great fortune to attend the ACM National Conference in Boston in July thanks to a scholarship from the NHCCM. This was my first national conference and I must say it was incredible.
In Plymouth we have been considering a transition to digital and I took the opportunity to look into it while at the conference. I started with an excellent pre-conference workshop on transitioning to a fully digital facility. What I enjoyed most about this workshop was that the presenters outlined not only what equipment and policies were needed to make this happen, but how a small, rural center like pbCAM can make the transition affordably and incrementally.
In addition to the pre-conference workshop I was able to visit vendors and get input on the Leightronix Nexus, our equipment of choice for the playback transition. I was able to get feedback from Kevin Long at Access A/V on how they've been selling in New Hampshire and the kind of feedback he's heard about use of the Nexus. I was then able to visit the Leightronix booth and get answers to specific questions on emergency messaging, remote operation and various other concerns I had about making the transition.
I also had the pleasure of attending a workshop on Energizing Your State presented by Rich Desimone of Jersey Access Group. I came away from the presentation inspired and ready to begin not only working harder for the NHCCM but also working toward improving communication between the NHCCM and other state access organizations. As a result, we are now opening communication with Vermont Access Network. I'm hopeful we may open up even more communication and cooperative effort with other states in our region.
Attending the conference gave me the opportunity to find specific answers to my unique needs, learn more about fundraising and non-profit operations, expand my understanding of a digital facility, connect with my colleagues in other states and open up opportunities for me to be more active in promoting and supporting PEG access. I left Boston with a list of goals for both the NHCCM and pbCAM.
If you were unable to attend the ACM National Conference in Boston, I hope you will consider attending the next time it comes around. Let us not forget, though, that the ACM Northeast Region conferences are just as valuable and informative. This is important to keep in mind as the NHCCM prepares to coordinate this year's spring conference here in New Hampshire. When the conference comes around, I hope to see many of you there!