Eighth Annual

TFI Asset Valuation Conference Logo

TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference

January 24-25, 2013

Courtyard Marriott Downtown, Austin, Texas

This conference and the Pre-Conference Seminar: TFI Technology Forecasting for Valuation are held consecutively.

For 2014 Conference, see: Ninth Annual TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference, January 29-30, 2014

Overview Speakers Schedule Registration and Venue





TFI Asset Valuation Conference Logo

Conference Overview:

The communications industry continues to be buffeted by the winds of change in technology, markets and industry structure. This conference provides an up-to-date overview and current forecasts of these changes. The emphasis is on those changes that involve the major assets of the telephone, wireless, and cable television networks.

The conference is geared to tax, depreciation, and valuation professionals, but should be attended by anyone with a strong policy or business interest in future of the communications network. The program includes featured outside speakers specializing in technology areas, TFI speakers reviewing their latest forecasts, and people from the consulting, industry and appraisal community sharing their knowledge in presentations and on panels.

Learning Objectives

  • Provide an up-to-date overview of the changes in technology, markets and industry structure that impact the communications industry, especially those change that involve the major assets of the telephone, wireless, and cable television networks.
  • Provide a summary and annual update of TFI's recent research and forecasts in key communication technologies.
  • Provide summaries and updates of other experts' research in the same areas
  • Provide independent expert knowledge on changing communication technologies
  • Present illuminating discussions of current and emerging issues facing the communications industry
  • Present helpful discussions on the impact of these changes on the depreciation and valuation of communication industry assets.

Who Should Attend:

Professionals and managers involved in:
  • Finance, Asset Valuation and Property Tax
  • Communications Policy
  • Strategic Forecasting
  • Market Strategy
  • Network Planning
  • Legal and Regulatory
  • Depreciation and Asset Lives
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Some of Our Previous Attendees:

3M Advantax American Appraisal AT&T
AT&T Mobility AUS Consultants Arizona Attorney General Office Baker Donelson
Bexar Appraisal BCRI Blankenship Resources Capitol Appraisal Group
CenturyLink CHR Solutions Clearwire Collin County Appraisal
Comcast Cricket Communications CostQuest Associates Dallas Central Appraisal
Deloitte Duff & Phelps Embarq Ernst & Young
FTTH FMV Opinions Grant Thornton GVTC Communications
Hiscock & Barclay, LLP Hawley Troxell Ennis & Hawley LLP Hill Ward Henderson Law Firm KPMG
Law Offices of Peter Michaels Level 3 Communications Millinium Marketing Qwest
Revenue Wisconsin Satai Network SC&H Group, LLC Sprint/Nextel
State of California Board of Equalization Tarrant County Appraisal Tax Compliance Inc. Thompson Reuters
Time Warner Cable T-Mobile TRCI Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
UHY Advisors Verizon
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What Attendees Say:

"Thank you for putting on your seminars and conference. Although I have used various TFI tables over the years and read several of your publications, there is an additional and unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI. Through the questions, comments, and answers one hears the issue presented from a variety of perspectives and has the opportunity to put in one's own words their own comments and questions to see if they understand it or not, etc. One-on-one with the authors, the experts, a wonderful educational opportunity."

Robert G. Strong, Tax Director
AT&T

"Based on TFI's knowledge, skills and experience, I strongly recommend their annual Technology Futures Asset Valuation Conference to anyone who is involved in assessing telecommunications equipment or anyone involved with telecommunications in some form or another."

Raul Reyes, Business Personal Property Supervisor
Dallas Central Appraisal District

"Overall, the TFI Asset Valuation Conference has excellent and timely topics. The topics are relevant to what is currently happening in today's marketplace, including telecommunications convergence, obsolescence of telecom networks, and the impact of broadband initiatives across the industry. This program is a must for anyone charged with determining fair market value for telecom assets."

Rick Masching, Property Tax Director
Verizon Communications

"Great program...information is timely and program ties together well. Good for attendees with various background and interests. I highly recommend."

Jeffery S. Binkley, Senior Director
Thomson Reuters

"I found the insights on technology changes in-process and planned and their current and expected impact on replacement of assets most useful. Proper valuation must take into account technological externalities that will diminish the value of the existing assets. The technological innovations are having a such an impact that keeping up is essential. This conference keeps me up to date."

Roger Grabowski, Managing Director
Duff & Phelps

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SCHEDULE - January 24-25, 2013

CONFERENCE DAY 1: Thursday, January 24, 2013
8:30 am - Introductions & Welcome
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

8:40 am - TFI Research: News and Overview
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

9:00 am - Beyond the Clouds, The Future of Computing
    David Smith, CEO, HBMG, Inc.

10:00 am - Cloud Computing and its Impact on Communications
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

10:20 am - Break

10:30 am - Over the Top Video Forecasts, Set Top Box Update, and Observations on UHDTV
    Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

11:15 am - Obsolescence of Cable Television Assets: A Comprehensive Approach - Panel
    Paul Chill, Principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
    Kelly Necessary, Senior Director, Time Warner Cable
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

12:00 pm - Texas Barbecue Lunch (provided by TFI)

1:15 pm -The Evolution of Broadband Mobile
    Mark Lowenstein, Managing Director, Mobile Ecosystem

2:00 pm - Wireless Broadband - Panel
    Michael Heaton, Director, Duff & Phelps
    Michael Mupo, Director -Property Taxes, Verizon
    Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

2:35 pm - TFI Wireless Forecast Update
    Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

2:50 pm - Break

3:00 pm - Future of Voice Communications
    Daniel Berninger, Founder, Voice Communication Exchange Committee

3:45 pm - Obsolescence of Narrowband Assets - Panel
    Robert Garringer, Manager - Property Taxes, Verizon
    Gary Wiggins, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

4:30 pm - Break

4:40 pm - Implications for Valuation: Part 1 - Panel
    Jason Chao, Principal, Ernst & Young
    Paul Chill, Principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services
    Joe Molina, Principal, Ryan
    Jerome Weinert, Principal & Director, AUS Consultants
    Gary Wiggins, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T
5:30 pm - Day Ends

6:00 pm - Rooftop Reception Onsite


CONFERENCE DAY 2: Friday, January 25, 2013
8:30 am -Gigabit Access: What's Around the Corner?
    Blair Levin, Gig-U, Fellow, Aspen Institute, formerly at FCC in charge of the National Broadband Plan

9:15 am - Overview of Google Fiber's Kansas City Project
    Stacey Higginbotham, Senior Writer, GigaOm

9:30 am - TFI Broadband Forecast Update
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

9:45 am - Break

10:00 am - Broadband Modernization
    Chair, James Stegeman, President, CostQuest Associates
    Charles Burkhardt, Senior Consultant, CostQuest Associates
    Robert Garringer, Manager - Property Taxes, Verizon
    Mike Wilson, Vice President - Professional Services, CostQuest Associates

11:00 am - Break

11:15 am - Panel: Future Structure of the Communications Industry
    Moderator, Stacey Higginbotham, Senior Writer, GigOm
    Daniel Berninger, Founder, Voice Communication Exchange Committee
    Blair Levin, Gig-U, Fellow, Aspen Institute, formerly at FCC in charge of the National Broadband Plan
    Mark Lowenstein, Managing Director, Mobile Ecosystem

12:00 pm - Implications for Valuation: Part 2 - Panel
    Panelists to be announced

12:30 pm - Closing Remarks
    Larry Vanston, President, TFI

12:30 pm - Conference Ends
12:40 pm - Box Lunch and Discussion (box lunches provided by TFI)
    Jeff Binkley, Director, Deloitte

1:30 pm - Lunch Ends
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SPEAKERS - January 24-25, 2013:

Conference Director and TFI Speakers

Seminar Director Dr. Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI

Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D.
President
, Technology Futures, Inc.



Ray Hodges, Sr. Consultant, TFI

Ray Hodges,
Senior Consultant,TFI



Featured Speakers: 

TFI Asset Valuation Conference Speaker: Blair Levin, Communications & Society Fellow with the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program

Blair Levin
Gig-U, Fellow, Aspen Institute, formerly at FCC in charge of the National Broadband Plan



Daniel Berninger, Founder, Voice Communication Exchange Committee


Daniel Berninger
Founder,Voice Communication Exchange Committee



TFI Asset Valuation Moderator: Stacey Higginbotham, News Editor, GigaOmni Media

Stacey Higginbotham
Senior Writer, GigaOmni Media




TFI Asset Valuation Conference Speaker: Mark Lowenstein, Mgr. Dir., Mobile Ecosystem

Mark Lowenstein
Managing Director, Mobile Ecosystem


TFI Asset Valuation Conference Speaker: David Smith, CEO, HBMG

David Smith
CEO,HBMG, Inc.





Panelists:


Daniel Berninger, Founder, VCXC-Voice Coimmunication Exchange Committee

Jeff Binkley, Director, Deloitte

Charles Burkhardt, Senior Consultant, CostQuest Associates

Jason Chao, Principal, Ernst & Young

Paul Chill, Principal, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services

Robert Garringer, Manager - Property Taxes, Verizon

Michael Heaton, Director, Duff & Phelps

Stacey Higginbotham, Senior Writer, GigaOmni Media (Moderator)

Ray L. Hodges, Senior Consultant, Technology Futures, Inc.

Blair Levin Gig-U, Fellow, Aspen Institute, formerly at FCC in charge of the National Broadband Plan

Mark Lowenstein, Managing Director, Mobile Ecosystem

Joe Molina, Principal, Ryan

Michael Mupo, Executive Director, Verizon

Kelly Necessary, Senior Director, Time Warner Cable

James Stegeman, President, CostQuest Associates (Chair)

Larry Vanston, President, Technology Futures, Inc.

Jerome Weinert, Principal & Director, AUS Consultants

Gary Wiggins, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T

Mike Wilson, Vice President - Professional Services, CostQuest Associates

More Participants to be announced


See Conference Schedule above for Panels.


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REGISTRATION: For TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference and Pre-Conference Seminar

Registration for TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference: January 24-25, 2013

Earn up to 12 Texas CE credits and/or up tp to 13 National Registry of CPE Sponsors credits.*

We recommend that attendees to "TFI Communications Technology Asset Valuation Conference" also attend "TFI Technology Forecasting for Valuation Seminar."
Wednesday, January 24, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and
Thursday, January 25, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Early Bird Rate: $895 (Until January 7, 2014, then $995)
Early Bird Assessor/Gov. Rate: $265 (Until January 7, 2014 then $295)
Registration for Pre-Conference Seminar: TFI Technology Forecasting for Valuation: January 23, 2013

Earn up to 3.25 Texas CPE credits and/or up to 4 National Registry of CPE Sponsors credits.*

Tuesday, January 23, 2:00 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
Standard Rate: $250
Assessor/Government Rate: $150

[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]

Continued Professional Education Credits 2014 Conference

*Technology Futures, Inc. is registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) as a Continuing Education Provider. The CE category is Property Tax Professionals - Appraisal Standards and Methodology. (We have also applied to offer CE credits for Property Tax Consultants and are waiting for approval.) It's the attendee's responsibility to determine whether the credits meet their CE requirements and to provide TFI with their license number. TDLR Provider Number: 1851.

Earn up to 13.75 TDLR CE Credits for the Conference and Pre-Conference Seminar
(Pre-Conference Seminar: 2.75 credits. Conference: up to 11 credits.)

*Technology Futures, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.learningmarket.org.

CPE: In accordance with the standards of the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, CPE credits will be granted based on a 50-minute hour. Fields of Study: Special Knowledge & Applications and Taxes. Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live. Program Level: Basic-Advanced. No Prerequisites required. No Advanced preparation required. National Registry of CPE Sponsor ID Number: 112763.

Earn up to 17 NASBA CPE Credits for the Conference and Pre-Conference Seminar
(Pre-Conference Seminar: 4 credits. Conference: up to 13 credits.)


VENUE:

The Courtyard Marriott Downtown is located at 300 East 4th Street, Austin, TX, 78701. It is within walking distance to Town Lake's hike and bike trails, the Austin Convention Center, and Austin's famous Sixth Street entertainment district. Also nearby is the State Capitol, Bob Bullock Museum, Governor's Mansion, University of Texas Campus, LBJ Library, and other sites.
Austin's Downtown 6th Street

We have a limited block of rooms held under "TFI Asset Valuation" on or before January 1, 2013 at the rate of $179 for King and Queen/Queen per night, plus tax. Register online at King Room or Queen/Queen Room or call (800) 321-2211 using King code TFITFIA or Queen/Queen code TFITFID. This is a non-smoking facility with complimentary high-speed Internet and wireless access throughout the hotel.

For more information about Austin, please visit Austin 360 or Austin Chamber of Commerce.

To receive updated seminar details, dates, and registration information for future sessions, please click here.

Please contact Helen Mary Marek at info@tfi.com or call us at (800) 835-3887 or (512) 258-8898 with any questions regarding the conference.

 

 


What Attendees Say

“... a unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI."

Robert G. Strong, Tax Director
AT&T

"Based on TFI's knowledge, skills and experience, I strongly recommend their annual Technology Futures Asset Valuation Conference to anyone who is involved in assessing telecommunications equipment or anyone involved with telecommunications in some form or another."

Raul Reyes, Business Personal Property Supervisor
Dallas Central Appraisal District

"This program is a must for anyone charged with determining fair market value for telecom assets."

Rick Masching,
Property Tax Director
Verizon Communications

"Great program ... information is timely and program ties together well. Good for attendees with various background and interests. I highly recommend it."<

Jeffery S. Binkley,
Senior Director
Thomson Reuters

"… Proper valuation must take into account technological externalities that will diminish the value of the existing assets. The technological innovations are having a such an impact that keeping up is essential. This conference keeps me up to date."

Roger Grabowski,
Managing Director
Duff & Phelps