Dear NYSTA Members:

Here it is, Management Conference '08! The Conferences Committee has put together another informative and timely program that has a little something for everyone. This year’s conference will focus on how to manage change.

You see the status quo crumbling every day as organizations vie for market share, scramble for new customers and strive for improved financials. It's pretty much a fact of corporate life: Stand still and you perish. Consequently, there's no shortage of good ideas for change.

I am pleased to announce that we have retained Fred Pryor Seminars to present a full day seminar on Making the Case for Change.

The sooner your key people learn these change management skills, the better off your organization will be. People will be more receptive to important initiatives ... have less resistance to trying something "different"...and feel more a part of their future than ever before.

The trainers from Fred Pryor Seminars will help you understand change and its effect on people. It will help you communicate it better to your people, and exploit the positive opportunities change usually brings with it. Learn how to convert all your hold-outs into partners in progress — and watch productivity soar.

April Showers? That is nothing compared to New York’s legislative session! The Session will be in full swing, and the prefect time to get a Legislative Update from me on the important issues being addressed by the Governor and Legislature.

To conclude the conference, Kevin Schwenzfeier of ACM will present - PSC Comp IV Order Overview and Discussion.

This year’s Conference will be held at The Hotel Utica. As you will see from the Schedule At A Glance, we start the conference off on Tuesday, April 8^th at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude on Wednesday, April 9th at noon. Attire for both days is business casual.

The Early Bird price for the Management Conference is $199 per person for members and $299 for non-members and includes a breakfast buffet on day two for all hotel guests, breaks on both days, as well lunch, reception and dinner on Tuesday night. Please click on the above link to register.

Wait there’s more….Included in your price is a soft cover summary of the key points that Fred Pryor trainers will cover throughout Day One. It simplifies note taking, makes following along easy, and will serve as a trusted "memory jogger" if ever you need it later on.

A block of rooms has been reserved at The Hotel Utica at the rate of $80 for a Single/Double. You can make your room reservations by calling the hotel directly at 1-877-906-1912 and mentioning the New York State Telecommunications Association before March 14, 2008.

Also, register soon with NYSTA and save $50 on your registration. Early Bird Pricing expires March 14, 2008.

I look forward to seeing you all in Utica!

Robert R. Puckett, President, NYSTA