New Orleans, LA — January 16, 2003 — The TeleMessaging Industry Association (TMIA) will hold its fifth annual meeting on March 3rd and 4th, 2003 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Over 100 representatives from 36 member companies will participate. The association’s Unified Communications (UC) Committee will present its new data on the behaviors and needs of consumers using personal mobile phones in households with a communal wireline telephone.

“As providers and vendors build and sell new messaging applications and technology, understanding the rapid changes in consumer behavior and desires become a critical factor to development and provision,” said Tom Harper, executive director of the TMIA. “We’re finding an increasing number of households relying on a single wireline and several mobile phones—this has direct impact on the messaging requirements for household members.”

Gupta on Messaging, Update from Europe and More
Karna Gupta from Comverse, a messaging pioneer and industry spokesperson who came out of Bell Canada, will be among the keynote speakers and will present his thoughts on the current state and future direction of the messaging business. In addition, Klaus Dieter Liedtke of T-Mobile will present the latest news from Europe’s VMA, The International Association for Enhanced Voice Services.

The annual meeting will also cover regular TMIA business, such as committee reports and the election of board members.

Messaging 2003 Seminar to Follow
The Messaging 2003 Seminar begins on the heels of the TMIA Annual Meeting and runs through March 5th, 6th, and 7th. This year’s Seminar will include presentations by major telecommunications service providers and vendors. The seminar theme will focus on near-term opportunities for wireline and wireless service providers as well as education about, and migration to, next-generation technology. In addition, there will be presentations on IP & messaging, the inclusion of voicemail in the telephony bundle, MMS including videomail, and IM. The Seminar will also include an exhibit area, with several vendors demonstrating the latest in messaging technology.

Guests Welcome at Meeting and Seminar
The TMIA and its member companies welcome guest companies and their representatives at both the Annual Meeting and Messaging Seminar.

Space and Time are Limited!
The Annual Meeting and Messaging Seminar are being held in New Orleans at the Doubletree Hotel. A room rate of $169 has been negotiated with the hotel, but TMIA may not be able to accept any more registrations after January 29, 2003, particularly not at the $169 rate. TMIA members and guests are urged to make arrangements immediately. Please go to http://www.tmia.org/main/eventsannualmeeting.html to register.


About TMIA
The Telemessaging Industry Association, formed in 1998, is an open forum comprised of over 36 companies including major service providers, prominent voice mail/messaging vendors, ASPs, customer premises equipment (CPE) providers and other parties. TMIA members share an interest in advancing the use of all messaging services in all markets, including SMS, UC, MMS and enhanced voicemail.

Founding members Bell Canada, BellSouth, Comverse, Glenayre, Lucent, SBC Communications, Telus and Unisys originally collaborated with Research First Consulting (RFC) to create the TMIA. RFC continues to provide research, legal, marketing and logistical services for the Association.

The TMIA is actively recruiting members throughout the messaging industry. Those interested are encouraged to call 864-962-0648 or check the TMIA's web page at www.tmia.org.


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