Fiber Connect 2024
Time to tune up for the Music City and join your fellow fiber and hybrid ISPs at Fiber Connect 2024 in Nashville, taking place from Sunday, July 28th to Wednesday, July 31st.
The flagship event of the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA), this year’s edition will be the largest yet—with 5,000 attendees expected, registrations are already up more than 30 percent from last year’s event in Orlando.
Registrants will have a chance to connect with more than 280 exhibitors in the 50,000-square-foot Expo Hall at the Gaylord Opryland throughout the conference. Be sure to stop by booth 974 to chat with the Preseem team and learn all about our features for fiber and hybrid operators. Or click here to book some time in advance with one of our experts.
Insider tip: If you haven’t registered yet, use the code 24-10OFF to save 10% on the total. Note that regular registration rates end on July 17th, with higher rates in effect after that.
The theme for this year’s conference is “Accelerating Our Fiber Future,” and will include 275 expert speakers, 75 sessions, two pre-conference educational tracks, more than 40 breakout sessions, and five Ted Talk-style Operator Light Talks.
As if that wasn’t enough, there are also numerous forums, symposia, meet-ups, luncheons, and more over the course of the four-day event. It’s a lot, and more than one person can possibly attend. No need to be overwhelmed, however—our team has pored over the Fiber Connect 2024 agenda and come up with a list of recommendations below.
Events and Sessions to Attend at Fiber Connect 2024
Sunday, July 28th
For the first time at Fiber Connect, pre-conference workshops are included in the regular registration package. This gives attendees a great opportunity to take an early deep dive into topics being discussed by expert panels throughout the day.
- Community Broadband: Muni, Cooperative, Utility Broadband Flex Their Reach: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – This five-session track will explore how to reach first-time broadband users, the economic impact of fiber, how to build, sustain, and measure the customer experience, the power of public-private partnerships, and post-deployment steps to consider. Panelists include representatives from fiber operators, utility companies, and equipment vendors.
- FBA Fiber Broadband Starter Toolkit: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – This five-session workshop is, according to the FBA, “designed for those thinking about deploying a fiber broadband network and for those that have just started building. Attendees can expect to get a 360-degree view of what it takes to deploy fiber.” Topics include FTTH basics and network design, choosing partners for success, workforce recruitment and retention, creating go-to-market plans, and navigating federal and state funding opportunities.
- There are also plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with your fellow registrants later in the day, including a First-Time Attendees and New Members meetup at 4:30 p.m., the official Welcome Reception from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a Fiber Under 40 meetup from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Delta Pavilion.
Monday, July 29th
- General Session: 8 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. – Head to the Delta Ballroom for breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and then settle in for the morning general session in the same location. The packed schedule will include two keynote speakers, including a fireside chat with Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information with the US Department of Commerce/NTIA. There will also be a State of the FBA address, two Operator Light Talks, and two panel discussions.
- Money for Nothing: The Future of Broadband Deployment and Affordability: 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. – The Public Policy: Balancing Federal and State Funding Options track includes this breakout session featuring panelists such as Mara Reardon, Deputy Director of Public Engagement for NTIA, and other grant and funding experts. Attend this session to learn more about available funding now and in the coming months and years.
- Keeping Deployments Grounded: Best Practices to Reach Customers from Redwood Forests to Gulfstream Waters: 2:30 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – This session is part of the In The Dirt: Deployment Challenges and Opportunities track, and promises to be useful for fiber and hybrid ISPs looking to expand in areas with tricky terrain.
- As important as the panel discussions and breakout sessions are, networking with your peers is also a key part of any big conference. There are many options on Monday, including a Women in Fiber meetup from 4:40 p.m. to 5:40 p.m. and a DE&I meetup from 5-6 p.m., both at the well-named 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar in the Expo Hall. 🍻
Tuesday, July 30th
- General Session: 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. – Tuesday at Fiber Connect 2024 kicks off with another general session in Delta Ballroom A, including three Operator Light Talks and two expert panel discussions. As an added bonus, the 30-minute break during the session will feature live music from award-winning singer-songwriter Clare Cunningham. It is the Music City, after all 🎵
- Women in Fiber Luncheon: 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – After the General Session, head to this networking lunch that features three keynote speakers, including Tina Tuggle of the Tennessee Titans and Chelsea Blythe from Universal Music Group Nashville. You’ll also be treated to another live music performance, this time from Autumn Nicholas.
- Fiber and Fixed Wireless Access: So Perfect Together: 1:30 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. – Fiber and fixed wireless hybrid, multi-vendor networks are becoming more common, amid increased state and federal funding, consumer demand, and the need for regional ISPs to stay competitive in a crowded market. Find out how the two can work together in this panel discussion featuring experts from Sonar Software, Nokia, Calix, and more.
- Mapping Deployments: Data-Driven Decision Making: 2:30 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – As long-term proponents of regional ISPs using data to improve efficiency and increase revenue, we’re excited to check out this breakout session on Tuesday afternoon.
Wednesday, July 31st
- State Broadband Summit: 8 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. – Wrap up your Fiber Connect 2024 experience with this post-breakfast session featuring a keynote speech from Andy Berke of the US Department of Agriculture, a panel discussion on federal broadband policy, a panel discussion on streamlining last mile connectivity, and lots more.
Visit the Fiber Connect 2024 Expo Hall
With over 280 vendors on the floor, the Expo Hall will be a busy place at Fiber Connect 2024. The hall is open during designated times, so plan your days accordingly to optimize your opportunity to connect with vendors.
Expo Hall hours:
- Monday, July 29th: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 30th: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As mentioned above, Preseem will be at booth 974, so make sure to stop by and chat with our friendly team of experts, or click here to reserve a time in advance.
Bonus tip: Prior to visiting the booth, take a step-by-step tour of Preseem’s fiber features to see how network operations teams can use our system to proactively identify potential issues within the network.
In addition to all the informative sessions and industry networking, we hope you’ll find time to explore the city during conference off-hours. From the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the bars on Broadway, there’s no shortage of sights and sounds to enjoy in the Music City.
P.S. Don’t forget to use discount code 24-10OFF to get 10% off your registration for the conference. See you in Nashville!
