ISPs Band Together At SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON.

Business Editors

Service Networks Fall 2002

GOLDEN, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2002

The leaders of nationwide and local organizations representing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will convene in San Jose, California Nov. 5-7.

SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON brings together these service providers and others twice annually. The ISP leaders meet at SERVICE NETWORKS to rally ISPs to causes ranging from aggregating their purchasing power to lobbying for open access before the FCC and Congress.

"It's time to stop groaning, start growling, come to SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON and be part of the solution," says David Robertson, president of the Texas ISP Association and president of STIC.NET, an ISP based in San Antonio, Texas. "Is there hope? Sure, but only if we can once and for all time, unite, plan, and execute an aggressive counterattack on the monopolies, through Congress, FCC, FTC, and Martha Stewart, if necessary."

Among the organizations speaking or meeting at SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON are the American Alliance of Service Providers (AASP), the American ISP Association (AISPA), the US Internet Industry Association (USIIA), and the California ISP Association (CISPA).

"There has never been a time when ISPs needed to band together more than today," says David McClure, president and CEO of USIIA. "The renewed battle over copyright liability, taxation, privacy and file sharing require us to meet and set the course of action for the industry. The place for that meeting is San Jose, and we encourage every ISP to be there to take part."

SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON attracts hundreds of service providers from around the U.S. and beyond. The conference and exposition recognizes the collective buying power that these ISPs represents. "Independent ISPs working together DO make a difference," says Russ Ferguson, president and CEO of AASP. Ferguson will chair a session titled "Group Buying and Cost Aggregation for the Independent Service Provider" open to all event attendees on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 5:15 p.m. "This Exchange will give insight as to what we have accomplished to date and what we see in the future." These ISP organizations will also brief conference attendees during the following additional sessions:

-- "RealPolitik: Local ISP Organization 101," led by Sue Ashdown, AISPA executive director, focuses on the different methods ISPs can use to build local and then national political power, even when organizing seems impossible or useless. A brief overview/explanation of current state/federal legislation targeting ISPs will be offered as well. The session takes place Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 9:00 a.m.

-- "Customer Service: The Real Backbone of the Internet," features TISPA's Robertson who will introduce service providers to the information and techniques to better handle their customers on the telephone. Robertson's session begins Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 11:15 a.m.

-- "Service Providers in the 21st Century," features USIIA's McClure examining the business models and strategies that are enabling even small ISPs to prosper, on Wednesday, Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m.

-- In addition, CISPA will hold its own membership meeting at the event on Wednesday, November 7 at 2:00pm.

SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON is produced by Penton Media's Service Provider Events Group in Golden, CO. The event is sponsored and supported by BOARDWATCH Magazine's editorial staff. For more information about attending or exhibiting at SERVICE NETWORKS Fall 2002 and the SERVICE NETWORKS/ISPCON community, visit www.servicenetworks.com.

Penton Media (NYSE: PME) is a leading, global business-to-business media company that produces market-focused magazines, trade shows and conferences and Web sites. Penton's integrated media portfolio serves the following industries: Internet/broadband; information technology; electronics; natural products; food/retail; manufacturing; design/engineering; supply chain; aviation; government/compliance; mechanical systems/construction; and leisure/hospitality. For more information, visit www.penton.com.