NATOA Contributes to the Success of JAG Conference

by Mike Lynch, Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Director, NATOA



Thank you, Jersey Access Group, for inviting me to participate in the 2023 Conference!  On behalf of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), I’ve got to tell you….I had a blast!  You’re a dynamic organization with great leadership from folks like Bob Duthaler, Stephanie Gibbons, Dave Garb, Don Smith and, of course, Rich Desimone.  To Rich: Thanks for your years of collaboration and teamwork as both NATOA and JAG moved forward in the ever-changing world of cable & broadband.

Glad to be Back

by Jesse Lerman, President/CEO, TelVue



The Eastern Video Expo 2022 brought a welcome end to a two+ year drought of local, in-person trade shows and other industry events, giving participating vendors the opportunity for face-to-face engagement with valued customers once again.  It was great to say goodbye to endless Hollywood Squares-like Zoom meetings and welcome back the kind of meaningful conversations and collaborative-based discussions that generate important feedback, crucial for product development.

The Eastern Video Expo……. There and back again!

by Paul Distefano, Eastern Regional Sales Manager, DeSisti



After the two-year hiatus as a result of the apocalypse, as I like to refer to it, what a pleasure it was to participate in this year’s Eastern Video Expo, IN PERSON, again!  Since I was privileged to have been a part of the expo, in all its forms and names, since its start in 2003, I was asked to comment on this year’s conference.  When I was asked, the first thing that came to mind was the term “full circle”.

5 Takeaways from My First Eastern Video Expo

By Dana Healy, VP Cablecast Community Media



The Jersey Access Group hosted the Eastern Video Expo LIVE for the first time in a couple of years. Hello! My name is Dana Healy, and I’m the VP of Cablecast Community Media. This was my first time attending the Eastern Video Expo! Being the new kid on the block, every attendee I met was a new face. Here are my 5 take-aways from the New Jersey-based event.

An Exceptional Event For Operational and Technology Training at the Eastern Video Expo

By Bob Duthaler, Executive Board, Chair



I said this throughout the Eastern Video Expo and even in another article in this newsletter (Challenge – figure out what article and email me your answer), it was great to have an in-person portion of this year’s event, something we have not been able to do since 2019.  But what helped separate this year’s event was our hybrid approach.  Our in-person Trade Show as bookended by two virtual conference session days.  Once again, we were able to pull in tremendous speakers throughout the country as they shared their knowledge and learning experience throughout their career.

The 2022 Eastern Video Expo

by Geoffrey Belafonte, Conference Committee, Co-chair


OUR TRADE SHOW IS BACK!!  YES, LIVE, IN-PERSON, TURN ON THAT LIGHT, HOLD THAT CAMERA, AND SPEAK TO PEOPLE FACE TO FACE.  Also back by popular demand is our virtual conference.  The workshops will be May 24 & 26 and the trade show will be on May 25 with a banquet that evening at the Crowne Plaza in Edison.

NATOA Conference Report

NATOA Conference Report

by Bob Duthaler, President, JAG



Recently I had the opportunity again to represent JAG at the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors’ (NATOA) 2021 Annual Conference, albeit virtually, both as an attendee and as the NJ Chapter President of NATOA.  NATOA’s national conference offers a comprehensive professional development learning experience and an exclusive opportunity to interact with and learn from leaders in the field and colleagues across the country.

Conference Review: You Never Stop Learning in This Business The Eastern Video Expo: A Personal Reflection

by Geoffrey Bellefonte, Cable Committee, Summit TV

I hate to admit it, but I’ve been in this business for almost 50 years. During that time, I have attended numerous trade show and conferences as both a potential client and as an exhibitor. Because of my experience at trade shows, I was genuinely concerned when JAG decided to stage this year’s Eastern Video Expo virtually. Of course, during the pandemic, I attended other virtual trades shows and numerous workshops on a variety of topics, but, in the few years I have been associated with JAG, I have come to really look forward to meeting with all my colleagues at the show. That said, I must confess, I was pleasantly surprised at how informative, and in some cases entertaining this year’s virtual conference proved to be.

Conference Review: 2021

by Dustin Dumas, Station Manager, South Orange Maplewood Television 

Dustin Dumas

The 2021 Eastern Video Expo conference was designed to bring the media community together to learn and share and this year it was virtual. As the station manager for South Orange Maplewood Television, I was looking forward to attending to learn and share ideas of best practices as well as see what the vendors offered for our small station and, of course, attend the JAG Awards!

Eastern Video Expo 2021 reinforces my idea that ZOOM is a good tool.

For more than a decade I have had the unique pleasure of attending the annual JAG Conference known as the Eastern Video Expo. That experience has introduced me to new technology, production equipment, familiarity with vendors, skill development, political public policy practices, and a truly rewarding association with the people who regularly attend the gathering. Each year I look forward to a trip from the Garden Isle to the Garden State.