Wireless City: Can All New Yorkers Get Connected?

When: Tuesday, March 8, 6:30 – 8:00 PM. Reception to follow.

Where: NYIT Auditorium, 1871 Broadway at 62nd Street. 

*Call 212-935-2075 if you prefer to call to pay for you registration or have additional questions.

Space is limited. 

Internet access, once a luxury, is quickly becoming a key livability issue for New York. Other cities have tried to implement free wifi access to all of their citizens, but with varying success. The Municipal Art Society will present a panel of experts who will explore some of the models employed, as well as the challenges in making wifi access a priority.

Together, they will address the following questions:

• What would expanded wireless access enable New Yorkers to do better, more efficiently, and more cost effectively?
• What is the difference between muni-wireless (as was done in Philadelphia and other cities) and public space wireless (as offered in NYC and in Montreal)?
• What are the roles of the city government, BIDs and other organizations, and private/non-profit developers in providing free wifi?

Introduction
	Gale Brewer Gale Brewer has been representing the Upper West Side and the northern part of Clinton in the New York City Council since 2002. Her service in the Council is a continuation of nearly 30 years of public service.
Keynote
	Rachel Sterne Rachel Sterne is Chief Digital Officer for the City of New York. Her focus is serving New Yorkers with digital media, streamlining internal coordination, and supporting public-private partnerships with technology leaders.
Moderator
	Adam Balkin, NY1 News’ Technology Reporter
Panelists
Greg Goldman Greg Goldman is the executive director of the Delaware Valley Regional Econonmic Development Fund (DVREDF). From 2006 through 2010, Mr. Goldman served as the CEO of Digital Impact Group, formerly known as Wireless Philadephia.		Sonja Murray As senior vice president of One Economy, Sonja manages the organization's strategic partnerships with corporations, nonprofits and elected officials. She is responsible for developing and fostering relationships in local communities with both the public and private sector.	Dana Spiegel Dana Spiegel serves as the executive director and a member of the Board of Directors of NYCWireless, a New York City non-profit organization that advocates and enables the growth of free, public wireless networks.