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26 27 ment of the region.” CANTO’s most recent Conference and Trade Show was held in the Dominican Republic, this past July. “This was an annual event for people to come and experience firsthand all the cut- ting edge technology that exists right here in our region,” says Wankin. “Often, people think they have to go to America or Europe to see what is new, but if you come to CANTO’s Con- ference, you would have an equally gratifying experience.We bring everything to the region and create a platform where government min- isters, operators, regulators, and service pro- viders come together for four days and discuss a diverse spectrum of telecom-related issues.” Mergers, aquisitions, strict regulations, evolv- ing technology - the telecom industry is beset with change no matter where you look, and CANTO sees itself as a meeting place where stakeholders can get together and do busi- ness, and also as an organization that can solve problems as they arise. “Businesses always have to do introspec- tion,” Wankin says, “and that is not just the telecom industry. A business must always revisit its models and seek to make them CANTO better, to optimize their operations and resources. Technology will always be a part of the puzzle. With technological ad- vancement comes opportunities. We see the membership evolving with these tech- nological changes. When I joined CANTO, fifteen years ago, telecom was much sim- pler; now that it has evolved, we are having conversations about Big Data, the Internet of Things, Smart Cities, and relaxed regulations. CANTO, as an association, is evolving with the industry to ensure that we are well equipped to better service our members for the eco- nomic development of the region.”