OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
The 98^th Annual Meeting of WSTA will be held at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva on Wednesday, May 21, 2008.  The terms of five directors expire this year, including Dennis Bachman, Citizens Telephone Cooperative, Inc.; Paul Fuglie, Verizon North Inc.; Rob Hammond, Hager TeleCom, Inc.; Rhonda Lutzke, Frontier Communications; and Al Mahnke, Wittenberg Telephone Company.  Some of these directors will be eligible for re-election to the Board.  Also considered will be any other business that comes before the membership.

WSTA ISP DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING
The WI-ISP 10^th Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva.

WSTA WIRELESS DIVISION ANNUAL MEETING
The WWSP 10^th Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. 

THE FOUNDATION AWARDS COMMITTEE MEETING
The Foundation Awards Committee Meeting to determine the 2008 scholarships met on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.  Telcos whose applications have won scholarships have been contacted by WSTA.

ANNUAL CONVENTION FEATURED SPEAKERS
Day One – May 21: This year’s Convention has an exciting line-up of speakers. Wednesday will feature former Green Bay Packer Don Beebe “More than a Ring…The Ability to Dream and the Power of Faith”.  His appearance is made possible in part by silver level sponsor Kiesling Associates LLP; and by bronze level sponsors Farmers Union Insurance, HickoryTech, Power & Telephone Supply Company, John Staurulakis, Inc. and TCA, Inc.  Senator Jeff Plale “Perspectives from the Wisconsin State Senate”; Steven Ross of Broadband Properties on “Why You Should Go FTTH, and How to Pay for It”; and George Heenan of Excelsius Partners Ltd on “Corporate Governance – New Game – New Rules” round out the Wednesday morning session.
 
Day Two – May 22: 
Dr. Edna DeVries of Marshfield Clinic brings us “Leveraging Broadband in Providing Medical Care”; Dave Burstein of DSL Prime brings us “How to Beat Cable”; and Dave McClure concludes our Convention with his “Washington Update”.

Breakout Sessions – May 21
Breakout Session Tracks will be offered that target your specific needs:

Management/Financial:  Board Governance; Financial Tools for Strategically Managing Your Business; and Current Company Issues Roundtable Discussion.

Policy: Legal and Regulatory Issues Impacting Wisconsin Telcos; NECA/USAC/FCC/PSC Issues; and State Legislative and Regulatory Update.

Broadband/Video/Technology: FTTH Using Gigabit Ethernet Delivery Solutions; IPTV Deployment via VDSL

at the Customer Premises; and Managing the Transition from MPEG-2 to MPEG-4 IPTV Services.

Technology:  Best Practices with IP Security; Building the Carrier Class Data Network; and 700 MHz Post-Auction Update.

Marketing:  Video Content for Digital Deployment; and Top 5 Ways to Create Dialogue with Your

Customers.

2008 CONVENTION SPONSORSHIPS/ANNUAL PARTNERS

It’s not too late to consider sponsoring or co-sponsoring an item or event at the WSTA Annual

Convention May 19-22, 2008.  WSTA continues to look for more sponsors and co-sponsors for the

Golf Hole-In-One, ISP/Technology Exhibits, Coffee/Soda Break Wednesday afternoon, General Session/Breakout Raffle Prize Drawings, Continental Breakfast Thursday and the Directors

Breakfast Meeting on Thursday.  We hope you will consider helping by viewing the online information at www.wsta.info/2008Conventionsponsorship.htm or contact the Association office for assistance. 

WSTA would like to thank the sponsors for showing their generosity and support of the WSTA Annual Convention.  Your company name can appear on this page which is viewed by many members. 

 
WSTA would also like to thank the companies for their 2008 commitment towards an annual partnership.

CONVENTION ADVANCED REGISTRATION DEADLINE
The advanced registration deadline for the Convention is May 2, 2008.  Anyone wishing to advance

register should complete the ON-LINE registration at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm on or before

that date.  Anyone who registers in advance will receive a discount.  If you have any questions, please contact the Association office at 608.256.8866, Extension 25.

STILL "ROOM AT THE INN" FOR THE 2008 CONVENTION
As of April 22, 2008, the Grand Geneva Resort reported that some guest rooms are still available.  If you have not yet made your room reservation, please contact The Grand Geneva at 262.248.8811 or 800.558.3417.  Please ask for the WSTA Convention Room Block to receive the discounted rate.  

Please remember, if you have to cancel a room at the Grand Geneva, do it as soon as possible so that another WSTA member will have the opportunity to use it.  Any deposit for the room is refundable if cancellation is received 72 hours (3 days) prior to arrival.  Any reservations received after the cut off

date [4/24/08] will be accepted on a space and rate available basis.

FONEPAC CONVENTION FUNDRAISER

The annual FONEPAC Silent Auction will be conducted during the WSTA 98th Annual Convention (May 19-22, 2008).  Donating an item to the Silent Auction is a great way to become involved with WSTA’s Political Action Committee (PAC). All of the money raised from the Silent Auction is used to assist WSTA’s grassroots efforts.  Please contact Chris LaRowe at clarowe@wsta.info, 608.256.8866 ext 20 or Marianne Mullis at mmullis@wsta.info, 608.256.8866 ext 11, if you wish to donate an item to the Silent Auction.  We hope you will show your strong support for FONEPAC and look forward to your active participation in this important annual fundraising event.

SPOUSE/GUEST’S DAY ACTIVITIES AT CONVENTION

New this year – these festivities begin on Tuesday, May 20^th with the First Lady’s Brunch (complimentary event) from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the Grand Suite.  What is new is the fact that both events are on the same day, which is the social day of the Convention.

Continuing Activities (for fee event) – Following the brunch, we will board the Trolley to take us to the Riviera Docks for our narrated trip on the Geneva Lakes Cruise Line to the Historic Black Point Estate Museum which sits on a bluff overlooking Lake Geneva.  The only way to reach the museum is by boat.  The estate is a beautifully preserved Queen Anne mansion built in 1888.  We will be serving hors d’oeuvres and dessert on the return cruise.  There will be one last stop at a store called the “Paper Dolls”, which carries unique gifts, accessories and furniture.  Please dress comfortably.  Please join us for this fun-filled day. Thank you to State Long Distance Telephone Company for providing comfortable transportation for this event.  Please remember to register for this wonderful event online at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm.

CONVENTION ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Space is still available for the Convention golf outing at the Brute Course on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.  Mike Dresen, Golf Committee Chairman, encourages everyone to sign up soon so he can put together the foursomes for this exciting day on the golf course.  To sign up please register ON-LINE at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm  Back by popular demand, we are again offering you a chance to drive home in a 2008 FORD MUSTANG GT CONVERTIBLE WITH A HOLE-IN-ONE on a designated par 3 hole.  This special prize is in addition to the other skill prizes.  If you have any questions regarding the Golf Outing, please contact Mike at 414.313.4024.

The WSTA Convention Committee is again offering GOLF HOLE SPONSORSHIP at the Tuesday, May 20, 2008 golf outing.  There are still a few holes available for sponsorship.  If you are interested in sponsoring a hole, please complete the hole sponsorship form and mail it to WSTA with a $100 or $200 check or complete the on-line golf hole sponsorship.  WSTA would like to thank the golf hole sponsors as of April 22^nd for supporting the WSTA golf outing.

FISHING TRIP
Lake Michigan is a great place to fish.  If you have never had the opportunity to experience a great day of fishing on Lake Michigan, don’t miss this opportunity at the WSTA Convention.  If you have not already signed up for the Lake Michigan Fishing Outing on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, please register ON-LINE at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm.  Please sign up soon so we can arrange for the correct number of boats for the Lake Michigan fishing trip.  If you have any questions regarding the Fishing Outing, please contact Jeff Ertl, State Long Distance Telephone Company, Fishing Chairman at 262.741.1140.

DESSERT BAR – TUESDAY EVENING
Again this year the Associate Members are sponsoring a Dessert Bar on Tuesday evening beginning at 9:00 p.m. and going until 10:30 p.m.  This is to satisfy those dessert cravings after you have had dinner.  There will also be coffee and beverages available beginning at 8:15 p.m.

 
MAGIC SHOW
The Magic Show is being offered on Tuesday night beginning at 8:45 p.m.  The show will last approximately 45 minutes.  The magic show start time was pushed back so everyone can be back from dinner to enjoy the fun!  The featured Master Illusionist is Rick Wilcox from Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.  Experience the Impossible with Wisconsin's #1 Entertainer.  Please see the Rick Wilcox website to see what you will experience at www.rickwilcox.com/home. You can purchase tickets by registering ON-LINE at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm.  After the 45 minute magic show, Rick will perform some up close “sleight of hand” at the Dessert Bar across the hall from the magic show.

BAGEL WALK
We recommend that you register in advance for the 19^th Annual WSTA Bagel Walk to be held Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at the Grand Geneva Resort so you can be sure to receive a T-Shirt [provided to the first 50 entrants].  You can register for the bagel walk when you register for the Convention at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm.  You may also register on-site for this early morning event at the Convention.

ITPA PIONEER LUNCHEON

The Annual Badger State Pioneer Luncheon on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 is open to all WSTA members and guests and we sincerely hope that you will join us this year.  Harold Hayes, our National President, along with his wife Sandi will be joining us this year.  Harold will give a short speech entitled “Open Your Heart to Pioneering”.  We will add to our list of 31 dedicated “Life Enrichment” honorees by recognizing WSTA Executive Director, Bill Esbeck.  Lakefield Telephone Company will be receiving our “Spirit of Service” Award.  A quick update on the 1^st Annual Motorcycle Fun Run for Pioneers will be shared just before we draw for the Door Prizes!

BANQUET ENTERTAINMENT
Following dinner and awards at the Convention Banquet on Wednesday evening, May 21, 2008, we are pleased to bring you Marcoux Corner – A Cappella Group.  You can purchase banquet tickets when you register ON-LINE at www.wsta.info/2008Convention.htm.  Marcoux Corner’s appearance is made possible by bronze level sponsors The Berry Company, Siepert & Co. LLP and ZONE Telecom, Inc.

CASUAL BUSINESS DRESS
Business Casual attire again is appropriate during business sessions at the 2008 Convention.  This means that during the business sessions, appropriate attire for men is a sport coat or sweater without a tie; while women are encouraged to dress more comfortably.  Clothing with a more relaxed fit such as pantsuits, skirts and sweaters, and lower heels is appropriate.  Casual attire is also appropriate for the Tuesday night dinner buffet, the Comedy Show, and Game Show activities.  Dressier attire is still encouraged at the Wednesday evening banquet.

2008 WSTA FALL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITS DATE SET
As a reminder, the date for the 2008 WSTA Fall Conference & Exhibits have been set.  Please mark your calendars to attend the WSTA Fall Conference & Exhibits scheduled for October 13 through October 15, 2008 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.