Dear NYSTA Members:

It is my privilege to invite you to the New York State Telecommunications Association’s 87th Annual Conference & Expo,. This year’s event will be held June 1 - 4, 2008 at The Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, New York.

The NYSTA Conferences Committee has been hard at work putting together what we believe will be an outstanding conference. It all starts Sunday evening with an Opening Welcome Reception followed by dinner and dancing to the sounds of the band “Rooster”.

On Monday we officially kick off with our annual Business Session and ONYX Awards. We have lined up some great speakers as well on Monday, Robert Mayer, Vice President of USTelecom and former Director of Telecommunications for the NY PSCwill give us an update of the affairs of Washington and Commissioner Maureen Harris of the New York Public Service Commission will give us a New York Regulatory update. We will close the session with Kristen Harris of the University of New Hampshire's Interoperability Laboratory. Kristin will be discussing the critical need for vendors and carriers to address interoperability to ensure uninterrupted service from our increasingly complex networks.

Following Mondays Business Session we will hold Our Customer Appreciation with Lunch. Tour over 60 exhibits to see the latest products and services while enjoying food, drink, and prizes. This year’s theme is a “Sock Hop”; don’t forget to wear your 50’s attire! The Annual Banquet will be held on Monday evening followed by a Live Auction to benefit the IPTA.

Tuesday morning we will hold our ever-popular Workshops. The workshops will cover an array of technical, marketing, and other topics. Networking opportunities will abound on Tuesday afternoon with the Annual NYSTA Golf Tournament and a challenging Fishing Outing, or attend a Cooking Demonstration and Wine Pairing. Tuesday evening will be our Awards Banquet, which includes the ITPA Scholarships Awards.

This year a free one-day pass will be available and can be used to attend either Customer Appreciation Day on Monday or the Workshops on Tuesday. This should allow you the opportunity to send others from your company to visit over 60 exhibits or to attend one of 12 workshops.

On Wednesday morning Dave McClure, President of the United States Internet Industry Association will talk to us about the purported sad state of broadband in America.

Next, join your fellow telecom professionals as we discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the industry and how to ensure a successful and vibrant future for your company. Join moderator Bob Puckett, President of NYSTA and participants Mark Evans, Vice President - State Telephone Company; Paul Griswold, President & CEO - Ontario and Trumansburgh Telephone Companies and Finger Lakes Technology Group; and Stephen LeVan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Frontier Communications.

Also on Wednesday is our annual Regulatory Roundtable, with moderator Mike Reed, Manager, State Government Affairs - TDS Telecom and an all-star lineup. Joining Mike will be Tom Moorman, Partner - Woods and Aitken; LLP, Steve Watkins -Telecommunications Management Consultant; Kevin Schwenzfeier - Director, Cost & Regulatory Consulting - ACM, Inc.; and Steve Meltzer, Vice President, Operations - JSI.

That’s just some of the exciting, informative, and fun things that will be at this year’s conference. You will see at the top of the page a number of links where you will find information regarding registration, schedule, sponsorship opportunities, and hotel information/directions.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino. You may make your reservations by calling them directly at 1-800-771-7711 before May 9, 2008 and mentioning The New York State Telecommunications Association (NYSTA) Annual Conference & Expo. If you have any questions, please contact Carolyn Jung at the NYSTA office at 518-443-2711. I look forward to seeing you at the Turning Stone.

Bob Wrighter, Sr., Chairman

NYSTA Board of Directors