With the Cable & Telecommunications Association's area chapters winding down, the Rocky Mountain Cable Association will begin operations on Jan. 1, 2012 as a new Denver-based group for regional companies and individuals who work in the cable and telecommunications fields.
Looking to uphold the legacy of CTAM Rocky Mountains chapter, RMCA's mission is to continue to deliver low-cost, educational and social events for those working in the business of cable, while offering professional and entertaining networking opportunities that strengthen business relationships and enrich its membership and sponsorship base, according to Mary Millar, president of the board of directors for CTAM Rocky Mountains and marketing manager for marketing operations at Comcast Cable.
RCMA is evidently the first -- and at this juncture the only regional cable membership group -- to form in the wake of CTAM's decision, which was promulgated to chapter leaders during the marketing organization's Summit in New Orleans last October, to fold all of its regional chapters in the States by year-end. The closing of the chapters emanates from a call by CTAM's national board to focus more closely on the group's national education programs and cooperative marketing initiatives
A CTAM official noted Tuesday evening that the U.S. chapters, which license their names from the national group, are winding down their activities by the close of 2011. For example, the New York chapter is holding its farewell event, The Sunset Social, on Sept. 21 in Manhattan.
Thus far, the majority of the regionals have decided not to continue under new auspices. A transition committee has been guiding the chapters through this process over the past year.
Millar, in an interview, said that with the Denver area's strong operator and programmer presence, as well as The Cable Center, CableLabs, and the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver, professionals in the area remain highly engaged. CTAM Rocky Mountains counts some 350 members.
She said that RCMA, which has been informing the CTAM chapter's members of its intentions throughout the year, officially disclosed its plans at a Sept. 12 event. RCMA will continue to place an emphasis on educational efforts, but also will expand its footprint to include technologists.
Millar, whose term as CTAM chapter president expires at year-end, said a decision about RCMA's new leadership will be made by the board within the next 30 days or thereabouts. She said that RCMA plans to follow in CTAM Rocky Mountains' footsteps by hosting between four and six events annually, with the "Cable Apprentice" competition developed in conjunction with the Daniels College of Business, again serving as a showcase.
Decisions about RCMA membership fees and event pricing, both of which are expected to remain low, have yet to be finalized, according to Millar.
