2019 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:

November 14, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

David Cohen, senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer of Comcast Corporation, stresses the need to get beyond policy issues where substantial agreement exists and to focus on “big picture” change at a time when the U.S. economy is on track to be surpassed by China. He spoke at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14.

September 12, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter (right) discusses recent tech company settlements, consumer privacy, disclosure, and other matters at the Federal Trade Commission with attorney Kurt Wimmer at a Communications Forum luncheon on Sept. 12.  The “fireside chat” took place at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C.

July 23, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

Senator Gordon Smith, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, discusses the importance of local broadcast coverage, the uncivil nature of much social media dialogue, and retransmission consent impasses between broadcasters and pay-TV providers at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C., on July 23.

June 11, 2019, Luncheon Speakers

A lively debate on the future of children’s TV regulations pits former FCC official Gigi Sohn (right) against former FCC commissioner Robert McDowell (left) at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., on June 11. Serving as moderator is former FCC chairman Dick Wiley (center).

May 15, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

Thomas Johnson, general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission, noted the difficulty regulators face in predicting how technology will develop and transform markets at a Communications Forum luncheon at the St. Regis Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 15.

April 23, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

Perry Sook, chairman, president, and CEO of Nexstar Media Group, discusses a range of issues facing broadcasters including ownership caps, consolidation, and ATSC 3.0 at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on April 23.

March 27, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

Meredith Attwell Baker, president and CEO of CTIA, discusses developments in wireless technology, spectrum issues, and 5G wireless at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., on March 27.

February 6, 2019, Luncheon Speaker

Kurt Wimmer, Esq. (left) moderates a panel on “Free Expression Issues for the Media in 2019” at a Communications Forum luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, D.C., on February 6.  Panelists included (from left) Ashley Messenger of NPR, Jim McLaughlin of the Washington Post, Bruce Brown of the Reporters Committee; and Tom Curley of Gannett. The wide-ranging discussion kicked off the 2019 Communications Forum Luncheon Series.