Vision 2024 Preview with Michael Barnbeck

By James Careless

The 2024 Vision FirstNet Users Summit (Vision 2024), which is hosted by the Public Safety Broadband Technology Association (PSBTA), is a must-attend event for FirstNet users. October 7-10, 2024, are the dates for Vision 2024, which is being held at Las Vegas’ Sahara Hotel for the first time.

To get a personal preview on what to expect at Vision 2024, AllThingsFirstNet.com spoke with Michael Barnbeck. He is the Deputy Executive Director of the PSBTA, Chair of its Innovation Committee, and a retired Police Supervisor with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

“Vision 2024 is all about FirstNet users,” said Barnbeck. “To this end, we will be providing them with three tracks of exciting information sessions creating a vision of how FirstNet will lead public safety into the future, a packed exhibition hall with lots of FirstNet-related vendors and technology, and lots of social events and networking opportunities.”

“The high points include the increase in innovation and new technologies that will be displayed and discussed, plus the amount of sessions geared towards end users, including use cases and best practices for FirstNet,” he added. “We are also excited to be displaying robust technology that will have positive effects on operational readiness, plus think tanks for new innovations.”

Lots of Content

The information sessions at Vision 2024 will cover a wide range of topics and use cases, all staged with the goal of helping FirstNet users get more out of this public safety broadband system. To deliver maximum value and selection for attendees, they have been organized into three tracks: Mission Driven, Mission Ready, and Mission Capable. The Mission Driven track will highlight development activities that are advancing the usefulness and scope of FirstNet solutions. The Mission Ready track will detail FirstNet user case studies, so that attendees can learn from other users’ experiences. And the Mission Capable track will spotlight manufacturers’ and solution providers’ FirstNet products, solutions, and capabilities.

“As Vision 2024 continues to evolve into our third year, we are more focused than ever on FirstNet use cases, best practices, and fostering partnerships,” said Barnbeck. “In doing so, our goal is to give FirstNet users information that really matters to them for improving the quality of their operations and the safety of their personnel. For example, we will have an interdisciplinary and interoperability panel and a session about enhancing public safety through real-time crime centers for collaborative approaches. On a wider scale, we’ll also be covering the growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices that can be used on FirstNet, how drone programs are progressing in the United States, and the pioneering use of in-field blood transfusions in Washington, DC.”

A Packed Exhibition Floor

One good reason to attend Vision 2024 is to see the latest and greatest in FirstNet-application communications equipment and services. For Year Three of the annual conference, the trade show floor will be fuller than ever before. 

In fact, so many companies want to reach FirstNet users at Vision 2024, that “we have maxed out the exhibit hall,” Barnbeck said. “Our number of exhibitors have expanded with new partners such as Emergent, who is also our special venue sponsor. Emergent outfits first responder vehicles with telemetry control units that connect tablet-equipped incident commanders, officers, and Dispatch with each other in real time. I think Emergent has a breakthrough technology that will make a real difference to end users and increase the capabilities of how we use devices and operate on the FirstNet network. Products from AT&T and RapidSOS, among others, will also make visiting the exhibit hall well worth the time.”

Great Social Events

Las Vegas is the one-time home of the legendary Rat Pack: The hard-partying combination of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford that brought the fun to Sin City in the 1950s-1960s. Even today, when one thinks of Las Vegas and its ‘round-the-clock action, one can’t help but think of the Rat Pack, who helped make it this way.

Although the original Rat Pack has passed, their legend lives on. That’s why Vision 2024 special venue sponsors Emergent will be hosting a ‘Rat Pack’ social night on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. There will be food, drinks, and Rat Pack tribute performers to add the right Vegas feel to the event. But the other nights won’t be empty: When the sessions and trade show close daily at Vision 2024, the evening social events will begin.

Add the fact that Vision 2024 is where FirstNet decision-makers and innovators mix with the user community, and this is a truly a must-attend gathering for all things FirstNet. “Vision 2024 is going to be a powerhouse event, and the best one to date,” concluded Michael Barnbeck. “You simply have to be here.”

To learn more about Vision 2024, go to https://vision.thepsbta.org/.