Comms Connect Wellington preview

A must-attend event for Australasian users and suppliers of radio and converged communications technologies.

Since 1990, the Radio Frequency Users Association of New Zealand (RFUANZ) has held a highly successful annual conference that has helped bring radio and wireless communications industry users, dealers, consultants, manufacturers and other stakeholders together in order that they can network, learn, share ideas and do business together.

In 2016 the event continues, but for the first time it will be called Comms Connect Wellington, as the RFUANZ begins to work with WF Media and the team behind the Comms Connect brand and Critical Comms magazine. This partnership is seen as the next stage in the development of the Wellington event, with the aim of further building on the success of this well-established and very well-respected conference and exhibition.

Comms Connect Wellington (comms-connect.co.nz) will be a must-attend event if you are: a first responder; work in public safety, transport or utilities; operate in the mining, oil and gas or the wider resources sector; work in security, defence, a commercial enterprise or government department; or work in any other sector that uses radio and converged communications.

Conference program

The conference will include technical presentations, case studies and workshops presented by a line-up of 40-plus local and international speakers and subject matter experts. Here’s just a small selection of the presentations scheduled:

• Update from Radio Spectrum Management (Chris Brennan, Compliance Manager, RSM)
• Public safety interoperability and information management (Inspector (Ret.) Lance Valcour O.O.M., Strategy Advisor, Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Information & Communications Technology Committee)
• Innovation in disruptive technologies — putting mission-critical safety information into the hands of decision-makers (Michael Hallowes, Director, Government, Enterprise & Emergency Management, Early Warning Network)
• Forest fatalities increase safety demands (Simon Coles, Channel Manager, NZ, Pacific Islands & PNG, Motorola Solutions)
• Building a national digital LMR network of networks (Laurie Colvin, Push Wireless Limited)
• The Health & Safety at Work Act: what does it mean for the radio industry? (Stephen Bray, HSNO Health and Safety Inspector)
• Can we leap from 2G to 5G in as few steps as possible? (Peter Clemons, Founder & Managing Director, Quixoticity)
• Three years on: the past, present and the future of new police innovation (Superintendent Jevon McSkimming, National Manager, Mobility and Innovation, NZ Police)
• The cybersecurity challenges of software-defined radio in critical infrastructure environments (Chris Blunt, Director/Consulting Partner and Ahmed ElAshmawy, Senior Consultant, Axenic Ltd)
• Securing NZ’s airports: how DMR is being used to improve safety, security and efficiency (Logan Caulfield, General Manager, Genesis Communications)
• The emerging role of LTE in public safety (Roger Kane, Managing Director, Vicom)

There are many more presentations and case studies on the program, the full list of which can be found at comms-connect.co.nz/conference-program/.

The exhibition

The Comms Connect Wellington exhibition will cover 1000 square metres and comprise more than 40 exhibitors, including all the big names in the Australasian comms market, including many dedicated New Zealand firms. You can see a full list of exhibitors and sponsors at comms-connect.co.nz/whos-exhibiting/.

RFUANZ AGM and Gala Dinner

The RFUANZ is a non-profit organisation whose membership ranges from local government authorities to transport operators, consultancies to radio dealers, and network operators to private individuals. Its mission is to protect, promote and preserve the rights of organisations and individuals who require access to the radio spectrum.

The association’s annual general meeting will take place on 14 April at the Museum of Te Papa, followed that evening by the RFUANZ Industry Excellence Awards and Gala Dinner at the Te Wharewaka Events Centre on the Wellington waterfront (a short walking distance from Te Papa and hotels). For ticketing and other enquiries, contact events@rfuanz.org.nz, visit rfuanz.org.nz or call +64 21 146 2380.

An essential event

It’s important for all users of radio and converged communications in business- and mission-critical working environments, as well as dealers, manufacturers or suppliers in this sector, to seek out the very latest information, technologies and solutions and to cement relationships. Comms Connect Wellington will deliver the opportunity for you and your colleagues to achieve these objectives. See you there!

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AT A GLANCE

What: Comms Connect Wellington

Conference: 14 April (9.00 am–5.30 pm), 15 April (9.00 am–3.40 pm)

Exhibition: 14 April (9.00 am–5.00 pm), 15 April (9.00 am–3.30 pm)

Where: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Wellington

Who: More than 300 delegates and 40-plus exhibitors

Web: comms-connect.co.nz