Fiber Connect 2025
For the second consecutive year, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) will hold their annual Fiber Connect conference at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, from June 1 to 4.
With over 5,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, 80 sessions, and 270 speakers, Fiber Connect 2025 promises to be one of the biggest yet.
This year’s theme is Light It Up, celebrating “the transformative power of fiber broadband, opening doors to innovation, economic growth, and better lives for communities worldwide.”
As well as the chance to meet vendors and attend panel sessions with industry experts, Fiber Connect 2025 will also feature expanded educational programs, exclusive networking opportunities, a documentary screening, and OpTIC Path Rodeo—a competition for fiber technicians with a $1,000 cash prize. There’ll even be an appearance by Sean Evans, host of the popular online show, Hot Ones 🔥🍗
There’s a lot to see and do—more than one person could possibly manage. No need to be overwhelmed, however, because our team has studied the Fiber Connect 2025 agenda and come up with a list of recommendations below.
P.S. If you’re heading to the conference, drop by booth 684 to say hello to the Preseem Team during Expo Hall hours. We’ll be happy to show you how our proactive platform helps fiber and hybrid providers improve efficiency, troubleshoot issues faster, and reduce support costs, all from a single pane of glass.
Events and Sessions to Attend at Fiber Connect 2025
Sunday, June 1
Day 1 of Fiber Connect 2025 is a chance to settle in, attend some pre-conference workshops, and do some networking with your fellow industry professionals.
- Brand Economics: How Brand Impacts Fiber Financials: 1:30 p.m. to 5:25 p.m. – One of five afternoon-long workshops, this one focuses on how building a strong local brand and emphasizing the customer experience over price and speed can help your ISP stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace. That’s music to our ears—read our recent blogs “Beyond Speed” and “Stop Losing Customers to Starlink” for our thoughts on this topic.
- Don’t Hate the Players OR the Game: Gamers Are Our Newest Thought Leaders: 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. – If you’re not able to commit to one of the longer workshops, check out this session on how gamers’ need for low latency, reliability, and security “doesn’t just future-proof your network—it creates a premium experience for everyone.” We’ve got thoughts on this as well 🙂
- First-Time Attendee and New Member Meet Up: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Backyard BBQ Welcome Reception: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. – First time at Fiber Connect? New to the FBA? Head to the Delta Pavilion to mingle and network with your fellow rookies. Afterward, hit up the ballroom for some southern BBQ and more networking, hosted by Adtran and Calix.
Monday, June 2
- General Session: 8 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. – Head to the Delta Ballroom for breakfast starting at 7 a.m. and then go to the Presidential Ballroom for the morning general session. The packed schedule will include a State of the Association address from FBA President and CEO Gary Bolton, two Operator Light Talks, two panel sessions, a “Fiber Song” performance by Golden West, and the Fiber Broadband Hot Seat interview, conducted by Hot Ones host Sean Evans.
- Lunch and Expo Hall Opening: 11:45 a.m. – Lunch is available in the Expo Hall from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., and vendor booths will be open until 6 p.m. Stop by booth 684 to chat with the Preseem Team! Also, the “Five O’Clock Somewhere Bar” is open from 12-6 in the Ryman C room 🍻
- Taking Nothing for Granted: State and Federal Funding Best Practices: 1:50 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Part of the Fiber Economics track, this session will provide tips and best practices for network operators looking to access state and federal funding programs to help grow their business.
- Fiber First, Connectivity Always: 2:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – Moderated by Telecompetitor, this expert panel will examine how BEAD grant recipients can ensure that all communities are connected, whether deploying fiber or fixed wireless.
- Exclusive Look at the FBA Documentary, “ThoughtWaves”: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Get a sneak peek of the FBA’s documentary that “traces the pivotal moments, policies, innovations, and individuals that have shaped—and continue to shape—America’s fiber broadband movement.” A Q&A with cast and crew follows the screening.
Tuesday, June 3
- General Session: 8 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. – Day 2’s general session includes a variety of talks and panel sessions on topics ranging from smart homes and AI to the immediate and near future of fiber broadband growth.
- Women in Fiber Luncheon: 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Join this session to hear a keynote speech by Nell Withers McCauley, Program Director for the Dollywood Foundation Imagination Library, a charity started by Dolly Parton that donates 3 million books to children every month. Note: This event requires a separate ticket, with a portion of each ticket fee going to the Imagination Library.
- Fiber Ecosystem: Managing the Customer Experience: 1 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. – This session will look at how to delight subscribers, from their first contact with you as a prospect, to their experience as a paying customer. On a related note, Preseem helps ISPs spot upsell opportunities, reduce churn risk, and deliver great customer experiences 😉
- Managing the Project, Promoting the Value: 2:40 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. – Join a panel of broadband experts to learn how upgrading the middle mile can ensure that fiber and fixed wireless deployments deliver exceptional service and QoE to newly-connected rural subscribers.
Wednesday, June 4
- State Broadband Summit: 8 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. – Wrap up your Fiber Connect 2025 experience with this post-breakfast session featuring a keynote speech, a panel discussion on the impact of fiber on communities, a fireside chat with three mayors from across the US on how fiber can provide opportunities for economic growth, and lots more.
Visit the Fiber Connect 2025 Expo Hall
With over 300 vendors on the floor, the Expo Hall will be busy at Fiber Connect 2025. The hall is open during designated times, so plan your days accordingly to optimize your opportunity to connect with vendors like Preseem!
Expo Hall hours:
- Monday, June 2: 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, June 3: 11:45 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As mentioned above, Preseem will be at booth 684, so make sure to stop by and chat with our friendly team of award-winning experts.
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.
Besides the informative sessions and industry networking, we hope you’ll have time to explore the city during conference off-hours. From the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium to the bars on Broadway and the city’s incredible food scene, there’s no shortage of things to do in the Music City.
See you in Nashville 🎸🎵🤠
