In the shadow of the Referendum and the direct-to-home satellite hearings, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention takes off Oct. 28.

Set in Ottawa, the theme of this year’s gathering of key players in the broadcast industry is Private Broadcasting: Canada’s Voice on the Innovation Highway.

At this point, over 300 attendees are registered.

Confirmed speakers include Minister of Industry John Manley, Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy and crtc chair Keith Spicer. Prime Minister Jean Chretien is invited but cannot confirm because of the timing of the Referendum.

Among topics of debate, Peter Miller, senior vp and general counsel for the cab, says the private broadcasters’ battle to maintain an up-front presence on new distribution systems will be top of mind.

‘We clearly see the whole information highway framework as the primary issue. We’ve put forward a strong strategy, our four cornerstones, endorsed by the Information Highway Advisory Council, and we expect discussion of specifically how the private broadcasters can continue building a profitable business.’

With its regular three-day forum packed into two days because of the Referendum, cab wraps Oct. 27, the day before the dth hearings begin. According to Miller, the topics tackled at the crtc forum will have their place in the conference.

In preparation for its dth intervention, the cab underwent a study that showed ‘the satellites have far greater impact on public television than previously thought, taking $50 million out of the pockets of local broadcasters,’ says Miller.

‘The obligations of dth versus the obligations of the other players in the industry needs to be consistent for the industry to stay competitive.’

The convention will also include a small trade show of 25 booths. Guest speakers include Don Peppers on ‘One-to-One Marketing on the Information Highway,’ futurist Richard Worzel on ‘Future Tense: Innovate or Evaporate,’ Internet expert Jim Carroll, and in a joint cwc/cab session, educator Linda Duxbury on how the sexes communicate in business. Ottawa’s Tyley Ross, star of Tommy, will close the festivities with a performance at the Gold Ribbon Gala Award Dinner.

Among those in attendance will be a 10-member contingent from Baton Broadcasting Systems. Pauline Couture, consultant to senior management at Baton, says Baton will make an announcement shortly before the event. ‘It’s a development project, international, with a tie with Quebec, something very creative’