The 2011 State Leadership Conference, held February 28 - March 1, was very successful with more than 300 congressional meetings scheduled and completed by state broadcasters. The meetings produced many member commitments to send letters to the FCC to keep "voluntary" voluntary by opposing spectrum taxes on broadcasters. There were also many commitments to sign onto a letter to urge FEMA and the FCC to consider ways to expand the availability of radio-enabled mobile phones. NAB's Government Relations team has been following up with congressional offices on these letter commitments.

Other events from the conference included a series of policy updates, with appearances from FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, Sen. Tom Udall (NM), Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06) and former NAB staffer, Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News."

NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith with "NBC Nightly News" Anhor and Managing Editor Brian Williams

FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell and Gordon Smith

Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06)

Sen. Tom Udall (NM)