The New York State Wireless Association (NYSWA) hosted its educational forum on Monday, bringing together executive leaders and experts across the wireless industry at the Times Center in Manhattan. The various panels addressed Private Wireless and In-Building, Workforce Development and the Convergence of Fiber, Small Cells and Data Centers.
The event kicked off with a keynote featuring Kelly Lazuka, CEO, Fullerton, who shared her insights on the Evolution of the Network, seamlessly detailing a platform that anchored the rest of the evening. She was followed by a panel moderated by Robert D. Gaudioso, NYSWA Vice President – Regulatory with curated speakers from Vornado, the Safer Buildings Coalition, VZW, Anterix and Google that provided for a cross-industry view of current challenges.
The panel touched upon how AI, the cloud and the growth of next generation networks is driving the state of the industry. The panel also shared their insights on what is needed for the future success of the industry. The discussion covered workforce development and the efforts that NYSWA and others are making to drive interest and programs to bolster the educational opportunities and awareness to young professionals.
WIA CEO and President, Patrick Halley, held a one-on-one discussion with Crown Castle COO Mike Kavanagh, who said he was bullish on the wireless infrastructure market with the coming of BEAD funding and the advent of AI and other technologies. Kavanagh said that included an increase in new towers being built.
Tom Marciano, former NYSWA President, and representatives from the local workforce development program following the panel welcomed a recent graduate to share her experience, including her journey to being onboarded into a full-time role at Verizon Wireless. With the continued success of the program, NYSWA has launched ELEVATE which is focused on continuing and expanding the scholarship program. The presenter, Marciano, made a $500 donation tothe cause and challenged the audience to match it, which was promptly done by NYSWA members.
(To donate to ELEVATE, click here.)
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