The Alliance for Community Media Midwest Regional Conference was held at Hamline University in Saint Paul on February 27 and 28. Public access producers and workers from the 11 state Midwest region convened to share ideas and talk about common issues. Here's what some of the conference participants had to say about the importance of the conference, and of access television. Mike Wassenaar, Executive Director, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network Very often, the media centers that work in each individual city or community are dealing with the same problems but don't have a chance to share the solutions that they have come up with. This conference is a great opportunity to help bolster the community of learners and producers and technical people who make access happen in the Twin Cities, and across the region. It's a great way for us to bolster Media Democracy. John Forde, Producer, Mental Engineering Speaking truth to power is what keeps democracy alive. Alison Kutzer, Master Control Operator, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network It's very important for our community to have community access stations available to get their views on the air. Ted Arbeiter, Public Access Supervisor, Suburban Community Channels I think it's fabulous for producers and staff people to come to these conferences to realize that they are not alone. There are people like them with the same concerns but also fellow proponents of free speech. George Powell, Producer, Minneapolis Telecommunications Network We came to the conference because we want to learn some new technologies, learn some new ideas and ways to produce our shows to make them more interesting, more eye-catching, and more of a blessing to our church. B unnie Riedel, Executive Director, Alliance for Community Media We don't do TV. We do democracy. We educate; we do social services. We increase the ability of nonprofits and of individuals to get their message out there. Jim Lundberg, ACM Midwest Region Board Chair, Lake Minnetonka Communications Commission Last year we held a state of Minnesota Conference and this year it's a regional conference that affects 11 different states. It's real important that we get together on a regular basis to share ideas and enthusiasm, to keep people motivated about the ACM and to make sure that public access has a place in all communities. Brandy Hyatt, Youth Producer, Phillips Community TV The conference is a chance to get to meet other people who do the same thing that we do. We get to talk about and exchange ideas. By listening to other ideas we can improve our show. It's a give and take. Luis Iglesias, Public Access Assistant, Suburban Community Channels This is really important to me because community television is the only outlet where people can express their point of view and issues to a wide audience. Pauline Toulouse, Youth Intern, Saint Paul Neighborhood Network Public access allows me to create connections with my community. Ross Rowe, Oak Grove Village, Illinois I've been a member of ACM since forever, and I do it because I'm always concerned about the future of all types of access television, whether it is public, education or government… I think these conferences are a good way to find out what's happening on the legislative end so we can make our industry strong. Brad Hochus, Hibbing Public Access Television We've got to get together, we've got to work together, we've got to stay together, or we'll lose what we've got.