A UNIQUE EVENT PTC’04 : New Times – New Strategies: ICT Rising from the Ashes by Richard Nickelson, Senior Advisor, Pacific Telecommunications Council The Pacific Telecommunications Council information-age services in the Pacific on Hawaii (PTC) is an international non-profit, nonas the geographic center and natural meeting governmental membership organization with place of the region. global membership that was founded in The Council attracts virtually all providers Honolulu in 1980 to bring together all those and major users of telecoms and information who have an interest in telecommunications systems and services, as well as manufacturers, in the vast Pacific Hemisphere. It serves the digital information age through a major annual conference, regional seminars, a respected quarterly magazine and a variety of other activities. PTC’s annual Pacific Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Conference in January has become one of the most important regular events held in Hawaii. Its impact extends far beyond the participants who attend, as it serves to focus the attention of the major providers, operators, Hilton Hawaiian Village manufacturers and users of 27
policy-makers, regulators, technologists, lawyers, scientists, academics and others who share an interest in the development and beneficial use of telecommunications in the region. The Council prides itself on being a “people-centered” organization. The personal contacts formed through the Council in the amicable and informal environment of the annual conference and seminars are a primary benefit of membership. Important business and academic relationships are established. In past years, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of contracts resulted from meetings and contacts during PTC’s annual conference. In many ways, PTC is unique in the ICTworld. It serves as a focal point and a meeting place to iron out otherwise intractable problems and to transact business. In short, PTC is the place to be in the world’s