ARCIA dinner went off with a ‘bang’

Enjoying a three-course meal and free-flowing drinks right on Darling Harbour is a dream for many celebrating Valentine’s Day. So nothing could be better than spending the evening with ARCIA and fellow radio professionals at the annual NSW regional dinner, held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The night was buzzing, with many colleagues catching up and introducing new contacts and friends. The dining room was filled with passionate and enthusiastic industry members, excited for what 2013 is set to bring.

Guest speaker Robert Johnston, manager of the 400 MHz Implementation Team at the ACMA, updated guests on the authority’s plans for the 400 MHz band and its changes to opportunity cost pricing. Johnston mentioned the authority didn’t reach its goal to have everyone compliant by the end of 2012 and reminded guests that they will need to update their spectrum licence under the new conditions.

Ian Miller, long-time ARCIA member and consultant from Orange Horizons, also took to the podium, encouraging members to put forward their views on the 900 MHz review so ARCIA is able to fully represent the industry when it creates its response.

He awarded Stan Goodwin the Life Membership for his work in the radio industry. Goodwin was part of the group of radio site operators that formed the Radio Site Operators and Users Association (RSOUA) in the late 1980s. This association has grown and is now known to us as ARCIA.

Towards the end of the night, many diners headed out onto the balcony to enjoy a spectacular Valentine’s Day fireworks display over the harbour, which was a great ending to the evening.

Future ARCIA regional dinners will be held in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, with the annual gala dinner in Melbourne.

For more information about the dinners and the association, please visit the ARCIA website.