2018 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:

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.

November 7, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

FTC Commissioner Noah Phillips (right) discussed a number of issues before the Federal Trade Commission, including privacy policy and net neutrality, at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on November 7.  In a “fireside chat” with Dick Wiley, Comm. Phillips also discussed the concept of antitrust policy protecting consumers rather than competing businesses.

September 20, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr discussed the importance of 5G wireless networks as an engine of economic growth at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on September 20. The United States needs to be the leader in this next-generation technology, he said.

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.

July 12, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

White House Counsel Don McGahn outlined the Administration’s priorities for regulatory reform at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., on July 12. He noted that some courts have become overly deferential in affirming the actions of regulatory agencies.

June 13, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

Jonathan Spalter, president and CEO of USTelecom, discusses the factors that will drive continued investment and innovation in the broadband sector at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 13.  He praised FCC Chairman Ajit Pai for the rollback of Title II net neutrality regulations.

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.

May 17, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

David J. Redl, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the U.S. Department of Commerce and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), addresses the challenge of protecting and expanding the free and open Internet at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 17.

April 19, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

Robert L. Strayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cyber and International Communications and Information Policy at the U.S. State Department, discusses a range of topics including cyber security and the recent CLOUD Act at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on April 19. (Photo credit: Will Johnson)

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.

March 20, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

Former FCC chairman Michael Powell, president and CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, discusses the future of cable and broadband in a wide-ranging conversation with former FCC chairman Dick Wiley (right) at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on March 20.

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.

February 15, 2018, Luncheon Speaker

Michael Poth, CEO of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), discusses its ambitious plan to build a nationwide, high-speed wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety. The $50-billion project will be constructed by AT&T and encompass 56 states and territories. Mr. Poth spoke at the inaugural luncheon of the 2018 Communications Forum Luncheon Series at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 15.