Headlines:
URGENT MESSAGE FOR MEMBERS IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA
The Omaha City Council is considering a proposal that would require consumers to pay a $50 fee every three years to have their satellite dish inspected. The proposed fee violates federal law. Please contact your City Council member in Omaha and tell them you are opposed to this unfair and illegal fee.
Ben Gray, District 2 – (402) 444-5524
Chris Jerram, District 3 – (402) 444-5525
Garry Gernandt District 4 – (402) 444-5522
Franklin Thompson, District 6 – (402) 444-5523
SBCA, DIRECTV and DISH Network are working to oppose this fee. If you are in the Omaha area and would like to have your opposition heard that the City Council Meeting on September 15th, please contact Lisa McCabe for details at 202-349-3640 or lmccabe@satellite.org.
 Back to top
SBCA Public Policy Round-Up
Even with the majority of states legislatures in recess, there continues to be activity on the Public Policy front at SBCA.
Wyoming Licensing
We recently announced that the process for satellite technician licensing in the state of Wyoming has now been streamlined. The SBCA certification is now part of the licensing process in Wyoming. Upon completion of the SBCA certification, submission of proof of certification to the state and payment the applicable fees, technicians will now be issued a satellite installers license from the state of Wyoming. This new process does not change the requirement for companies doing business in the state but will allow their employees the opportunity to become licensed as satellite technicians through the SBCA.
Member State Licensing Database Update
SBCA has recently contracted with Multistate, a company that provides legislative and regulatory research, to research and provide us with updated information for our members regarding state licensing. Our database is expected to be revamped and up and running by the end of the year with more detailed information on the installer licensing process in each state as well as with more robust information regarding installation contractors in each state.
Massachusetts Licensing
SBCA recently testified at a legislative hearing in Massachusetts before the Joint Committee on Telecommunication, Utilities and Energy regarding Senate Bill 1519. This legislation for the licensing of telecom professionals establishes a board of electrical and telecommunications examiners to develop a licensing regime for all telecommunications workers. SBCA testified that we are a self-regulating industry and licensing is not needed. However, we continue to engage the legislature on this issue so that if the bill gathers momentum we can work to have SBCA certification integrated into the licensing process. The timing on when and even if this bill will pass is still unknown.
Back to top
New SBCA Website Launched
Be sure to check out the new SBCA website, www.satellite.org. The site has been designed to allow members and consumers easy access to the most up to date information available regarding the satellite industry. The website is using the latest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) technology in order to increase traffic to both the SBCA and its member companies who are provided links from the site.
The w website will provide members with improved understanding and access to our numerous education, benefit and licensing initiatives. In addition the new SEO optimization will allow more companies and individuals to find out information on the SBCA, our programs and our member companies as we have identified over 400 key words that area used when looking for information on the industry. In the near future we will be adding the use of video for information, links to promotion of events and activities, along with a robust tracking system of changes in licensing laws and regulations affecting satellite installations.”
Back to top
SBCA Benefit- Distributor Discounts
SBCA members can now receive discounts from select distributors. This is an exclusive offer to SBCA members and can save them hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year on their everyday purchases. The current distributors participating include DSI Systems, Dow Electronics, Pace International and Case-SRS distribution.
SBCA members are encouraged to contact these distributors to start saving money today. The offers vary and may change at the discretion of the distributor. Combining offers may also be prohibited. For more information visit www.satellite.org.
Back to top
Member News- Pace Launches Online Forum, adds Training & Technical Support Talent
Pace International, anational distributor for DISH Network, and leading training and automation specialist in the satellite industry, announced today that it has hired Kofi Ramsey as itsDirector of Business Development. Pace has also added veteran SBCA train-the-trainer Brett Stadler to its training roster. Stadler has been with Pace for over ten years, and specializes in MDU and commercial sales, technical support, and specialized SBCA training.
At Pace, Ramsey will be responsible for consumer electronics channel sales and the Pace SBCA and Advanced Learning program development. Pace has already begun an upgrade of its technical support and training program, which includes a newly launched online forum for technical support.
“In my experience, technical support communities are a very valuable resource for our industry. I believe our forumwill become a truly valuable tool, and I’m excited to have this opportunity with the team at Pace.” said Ramsey. The Pace Technical Support Forum can be found on the Pace website at http://www.paceintl.com/phpbb3/, and will cover topics ranging from satellite installation, new products, home theatre, and training Q&A.
Prior to joining Pace, Ramsey worked in the consumer electronics industry, for over 15 years, primarily at Best Buy. During this time, he had occasion to work closely with the Pace team on several key initiatives including the national rollout of Geek Squad technical training and support programs, and SBCA certification.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kofi to our team, and are excited about the knowledge and experience that both he and Brett can offer our customers when it comes to training and support.” said Opie Williams, Vice President of Sales at Pace. “Talent and experience at this level are a great value to our customers and our company.”
Back to top
Member News- Bulk TV Ranks among Inc. Magazine’s 28th Annual
List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 500
Bulk TV & Internet (“Bulk TV”) announces their inclusion among Inc. magazine’s exclusive ranking of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies- the Inc. 500. The Raleigh-based company provides DIRECTV television services to commercial properties nationwide and reported a growth in revenue of 610.7% from 2005 to 2008.
Since its inception in 2004, Bulk TV has quickly become a leading provider of DIRECTV free-to-guest television programming services designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare, student housing and multi-dwelling unit properties and was named DIRECTV Free-to-Guest Dealer of the Year in 2008. Bulk TV not only provides satellite television programming services, but also digital satellite TV systems, high-speed internet access services and managed data network services to over 70,000 rooms in all 50 states.
“We are honored to be recognized by Inc. as one of their fastest growing companies,” said Dave O’Connell, President of Bulk TV. “I believe we will continue to grow dynamically as long as we maintain our commitment to meeting our customers’ needs.”
Tom Conley, Bulk TV’s Vice President, is thrilled with making the Inc. 500. “This is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our employees. We continue to recruit key members to join our team and who are a good fit for our organization as we continue to grow.”
The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Intuit, GoDaddy, Under Armour, Jamba Juice, American Apparel, Oracle, and hundreds of other powerhouses gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500.
“If you want to know which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500,” said Inc. editor Jane Berentson. “These are the most dynamic, fast-growth companies in the nation, the ones finding innovative solutions to problems, creating smart systems, and inventing products we soon discover we can't live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition.”
Bulk TV ranked #426 overall and #34 in the industry category of Business Products & Services. The 2009 Inc. 500, unveiled in the September issue of Inc. magazine is available on newsstands August 17 to November 15 and on Inc.com. The companies on this year’s list are responsible for creating more than 55,000 jobs since their founding; making the Inc. 500 perhaps the best example of the impact private, fast-growing companies can have on the overall U.S. economy.
Back to top
| New Members |
Listed below are SBCA's newest members that have joined over the past month that we would like to welcome to the Association:
Four Points Net Conx, LLC
Cortez, CO
NationSat
Luverne, MN
|
| Coming Soon |
● Industry Calendar of Events
● SBCA Master Technician Program
● SBCA SkyFORUM Virtual Trade Show |
To unsubscribe from the SBCA Newsletter please click here |
