Global systems are the backbone of satellite-enabled communications, and the CEOs who run these businesses establish the pace for expansion of market growth and development of new applications. They set priorities and, ultimately, create opportunities. With existing businesses as the base, and massive resources as the trump card, these CEOs approach the challenge of increasing profitability and managing costs in ways that define how satellite will build its share of the global telecommunications marketplace.

FIND SOUGHT-AFTER SOLUTIONS - Dozens of new products are unveiled during the SATELLITE Exhibition. Whether its voice, video, data, or all three, the SATELLITE Exhibition showcases the products and solutions you need to ensure your communications are cost-effective, mobile, global and secure.

CONNECT WITH COLLEAGUES - With more than 8,000 in attendance, plus 270 exhibiting companies, you'll see old friends and make new during the SATELLITE Conference and Exhibition.

DISCOVER NEW TECHNOLOGY - Get up close and hands on with hundreds of products, new technologies. Comparison shop as you walk the show floor and discover what technology will enhance your business.

Plan your visit to the SATELLITE Exhibition and contact exhibitors before the event here.

WSBR will hold its heralded Flagship Lunch and Silent Auction during SATELLITE 2008. With pleasure, WSBR announces that Secretary-General of ITU Hamadoun Toure will be its Executive guest speaker making this a perfect opportunity to bring colleagues and customers to maximize all that you can learn and experience at SATELLITE 2008.

New in 2008! You may purchase tickets when registering for SATELLITE 2008 or through WSBR at WSBR@erols.com or 703-522-7745.

Since 1995, WTA has presented annual awards to companies and individuals who have dramatically demonstrated excellence in the field of teleport operations, development and technology. Celebrate the winners and network with colleagues during the Awards Luncheon.

TV and radio program distribution is slowly eroding as the dominant application on the world’s satellite networks, even if the growth of HDTV will provide a near-term boost in bandwidth demand. Satellite service providers are counting on new lines of business, from hybrid content management services to mobile backhaul and digital signage, to pick up the slack and create tomorrow's new growth. What will be the five most important new geographic, industry or application markets to watch in the next five years? This panel of visionary executives will share their views on where to place your bests.

The big and enduring price difference between satellite and fiber bandwidth is challenging the business model of many "satellite service" providers. Some are responding by moving as much business as possible off transponders and onto fiber. Others are developing specialized technologies and services that exploit the unique capabilities of satellite in new ways. All are focusing on using IP-based technologies to lower costs and create new applications. In this session, senior executives from innovative service providers discuss how their businesses are adapting under the fierce pressure of satellite economics.

Last year's panel initiated a discussion among satellite builders, system operators and launch providers illuminating the interdependence of these vital segments of the satellite industry. This year's panel will address the challenges of continued industry consolidation, increasing demand and tightening supply, and the always present uncertainties associated with schedule delays, launch and in-orbit failures. Are things getting better, or are they worsening? Come and hear this panel of industry veterans question each other and field questions from the moderator and the audience.

The satellite ground segment sector is unquestionably on a growth path, as technical advances, emerging markets and new applications have all served to generate increasing sales for satellite ground segment providers. Broadband satellite networks, enterprise applications and government demand have all fostered growth for ground segment solutions in all regions. In addition, advanced coding and modulation, DVB-S2, MPEG-4 and mesh networks are only a sampling of the technical features now fostering growth. With the industry becoming more entrenched in the broader telecom landscape, where then will growth come from in the next 2-3 years. What technical requirements are driving the business, and how do satellite ground segment providers position themselves in an increasingly hybrid world? This panel of ground segment CEOs will answer these questions and more in this far-reaching session.

Companies with their roots in the Internet naturally consider themselves the world's Internet Protocol experts. But the providers of satellite-based services have developed their own unique expertise at using IP in ways that its developers never imagined. This panel of experts presents thought-provoking case studies of IP-based applications for media delivery, mobile services, enterprise networking and much more, and identifies the common success factors in the deployment of new services.

The Society of Satellite Professionals (SSPI) will host its 25th annual Black Tie Reception and Dinner on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt, Washington. The Gala is the satellite industry’s preeminent social and networking event of the year. To purchase tickets, or for more information, go to: www.sspigala.com or contact jhoil@sspi.org, 703-534-0885.