2017 Communications Forum Speakers

Below is a list of the representatives from government and the communications industry who have been featured speakers at The Media Institute’s Communications Forum luncheons:

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft

November 29, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai discusses the impact of social media at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 29.

Christopher S. Ripley (left), president and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, answers questions from Media Institute Chairman Dick Wiley about Sinclair's $3.9-billion acquisition of Tribune Media and the impacts on Sinclair's program content and news operations. The discussion took place at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington on June 20.

October 17, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn discusses the Lifeline broadband program and other matters before the Commission at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 17.

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft

Jul 11, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, discusses the National Rural Broadband Strategy (NRBS) at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., on July 11.  The NRBS outlines how the private sector and government can work together to help Americans living in rural communities tap into unused spectrum and reap the same benefits as those living and working in urban areas.

Christopher S. Ripley (left), president and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, answers questions from Media Institute Chairman Dick Wiley about Sinclair's $3.9-billion acquisition of Tribune Media and the impacts on Sinclair's program content and news operations. The discussion took place at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington on June 20.

June 20, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

Christopher S. Ripley (left), president and CEO of Sinclair Broadcast Group, answers questions from Media Institute Chairman Dick Wiley about Sinclair’s $3.9-billion acquisition of Tribune Media and the impacts on Sinclair’s program content and news operations.  The discussion took place at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington on June 20.

FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly

May 11, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly discusses the phenomenon of “fake news” and the threat to the First Amendment posed by government intervention at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington on May 11.

Gary Epstein, chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force of the Federal Communications Commission

April 19, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

Gary Epstein, chair of the Incentive Auction Task Force of the Federal Communications Commission, reports on the results of the recently completed spectrum auction at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington on April 19.

Marci Ryvicker, managing director and senior equity analyst for Wells Fargo Securities

April 3, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

Marci Ryvicker, managing director and senior equity analyst for Wells Fargo Securities in New York, shares her “view from Wall Street” on media companies and industry trends with Adonis Hoffman (left) and Communications Forum luncheon guests at the Willard Hotel in Washington on April 3. Among the guests was FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, who is slated to address the group on May 11.

Rep. Greg Walden, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee

February 14, 2017, Luncheon Speaker

Rep. Greg Walden, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, discusses his committee’s media and telecom agenda at the Hyatt Hotel on Capitol Hill in Washington on Feb. 14. Among the guests at this first Communications Forum luncheon of 2017 was FCC Chairman Ajit Pai.