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DSI-CSS Dealer Fest Boosts SBCA Show Attendance DSI, Consumer Satellite Systems, and Earth Terminal TV kicked off their first satellite industry trade show as a combined entity yesterday by running an intensive one-day clinic for satellite dealers. The series of seminars, panel discussions, and speeches drew more than 300 satellite dealers, including about 100 retailers who signed up within the past 10 days, DSI-CSS co-owner Jan Schroeder said. Schroeder also used the occasion to boost dealer enthusiasm for the C-band business, arguing it may be a niche market, but it is one geared toward high-end customers with plenty of money to spend. There's more opportunity than ever before for baby boomers, and the people who service the baby boomers, she told the dealers. You folks have what they want. You have entertainment, and you know how to service the products. Don't sell yourself short. The day-long seminar also drew praise from the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association and several industry executives for several industry executives for helping boost overall SBCA show attendance. The SBCA is giving dealers who attended the DSI-CSS conference free admission to the SBCA show. "We're very pleased with what they've done and with the turnout they have," SBCA spokeswoman Margaret Parone said. The SBCA welcomes DSI-CSS s and other companies efforts to educate satellite dealers, she said, noting the rapid arrival of new technologies and products makes comprehensive retailer education a project too big for just the SBCA. "This is definitely the way of the future. Exhibitors make a huge investment in this show, so the bottom line is we've got to drive traffic here," Parone said. "We can't be the be-all and end-all for training in this business." Three other groups--the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, DirecTv programming distributor Golden Sky Satellite, and consumer electronics buying group Associated Volume Buyers--are also holding retail meetings during the show, Parone said. Senate Tacks Copyright Bill Onto Appropriations Bill The Senate agreed by unanimous consent Tuesday to attach Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) bill to roll back the satellite copyright fee onto the Commerce, State, Justice Appropriations bill currently under consideration by the Senate. If the appropriations bill passes, the amendment will delay the proposed rate increases until January 1, 2000--a year longer than McCain's bill originally stipulated. In a statement, McCain reiterated his commitment to helping satellite TV compete with cable, saying, "Congress has an urgent interest in assuring consumers have a choice of video providers at competitive rates." The Senate worked on the appropriations bill until late last night but did not reach a final vote because of the large number of amendments being added to the bill, Commerce Committee sources said. Sources have said McCain is close to cutting a deal with Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Judiciary Committee, to allow the bill to pass if McCain works with Hatch on his own broader copyright bill. The McCain bill could give Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-La.) leverage to move his companion bill through the House more quickly, Tauzin spokesman Ken Johnson said. That bill must still pass the Judiciary Committee. With the Senate bill likely to be passed this week, the House Judiciary Committee must act on Tauzin's bill or it will by pass the committee, Johnson said. Tauzin remains committed to getting the bill passed, Johnson said, but it could instead be passed by in a conference committee. (click on the ad below to visit advertiser's web site) NEXT PAGE   July 24 daily   July 25 daily     Please direct questions about this site to general.mail@satbiznews.com q 1998 Satellite Business News Inc. All rights reserved.