NCTA Pres. Robert Sachs acknowledged Tues. that attendance at thi...

convention. He declined to give attendee registration, saying Assn. would release those figures during meeting to attain most accuracy. About 24,000 attended in 2001. This year’s convention is May 5-8 in New Orleans. NCTA Convention Chair Maggie Wilderotter, CEO of Wink Communications, stressed that it would be centered on exhibition floor, with general sessions and many other events taking place on floor to increase foot traffic for exhibitors. She also said NCTA offered less expensive option of executive suites this year, knowing that some exhibitors had to cut back on costs because of economic conditions. Sachs said about dozen members of Congress were invited to attend, as well as all 4 FCC commissioners On issue of FCC Chmn. Powell’s proposed DTV transition plan, Sachs said industry as whole would offer more detailed response at convention but in meantime NCTA still was talking with members and evaluating Powell’s proposals. NCTA Board Chmn. Michael Willner, CEO of Insight Communications, however, said digital carriage should be negotiated through individual business deals, not with govt. intervention, and broadcasters shouldn’t have inherent right to carriage of multiple streams. Willner said he didn’t see Powell’s plan as govt. approach but as “suggestion.” Nevertheless, he said, he “would not be surprised if there were going to be some heavier suggestions coming out of Washington” in future.