As BEAD and other funds begin to flow into states and communities, the landscape is evolving quickly and taking on new dimensions of opportunity and need. No longer simply about fast, reliable access, today's broadband advocates must take a myriad of new goals and considerations into account.

Join CBAN for three mornings of learning and conversation designed to provide insight - and actionable ideas - to everyone working towards better broadband for all.

Admission is FREE, but we thank you for making a small contribution to support our work at registration if that's available for you to offer.

CBAN 2023 Fall Forum Schedule

(ALL TIMES ARE CENTRAL. Subject to change as sessions are finalized. Some sessions will be pre-recorded.)

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

10:00am	Opening and Welcome
10:05am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:07am	Keynote: What's Next for Broadband? John Horrigan, Benton Institute After years - in some cases, decades - of working to bring reliable broadband to everyone in America, we are finally on the blocks and waiting for the starting gun, when BEAD funds are dispersed and all the years of planning and incremental progress will finally come together for communities everywhere. But before we get too comfortable, let's talk about how to sustain the momentum. John Horrigan is a Benton Institute Senior Fellow and a respected national expert on digital equity policy, from USAC and the ACP to the critical role of devices and skills training - and many things in between.
10:47am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:49am	Preparing for BEAD Host: Curtis Dean, CBAN Learn about avoiding common BEAD challenges for communities and for states, from red tape to letters of credit, procedural pitfalls and more. Guests: Chris Hall, National Telecommunications and Information Administration Sean Kelly, Newcom Technologies
11:29am	Closing Remarks

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

10:00am	Opening and Welcome
10:05am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:07am	Smart Cities: Key to Urban Digital Equity Hosts: Curtis Dean and Jon Willow, CBAN Interconnected cities can deliver coordinated services seamlessly, to the benefit of all. But inequity in broadband connections could serve to reinforce existing barriers instead. Guests: Ken Demlow, HR Green Deb Socia, The Enterprise Center
10:47am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:49am	Mapping Your Broadband Ecosystem Host: Jon Willow, CBAN As local and regional digital equity ecoystems develop and evolve, information sharing and ongoing mapping of available resources will be key to digital equity success. Learn how Michigan and others are getting it done. Guests: Eric Frederick, CCO, Michigan High Speed Internet Office Wes Kerr, Connected Nation
11:29am	Closing Remarks

Thursday, October 5, 2023

10:00am	Opening and Welcome
10:05am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:07am	The Future of the Affordable Connectivity Program Host: Curtis Dean and Jon Willow, CBAN Current ACP funding is slated to be exhausted by mid-2024, sunsetting the program unless Congress acts. Learn about what's being done to ensure the program's future, and what you can do in your community to help keep the ACP strong. Guests: Tsion Tesfaye; NDIA; Sean Gonsalves, Institute for Local Self-Reliance
10:47am	Sponsor Spotlight
10:49am	The Role of Devices in Digital Equity Host: Curtis Dean and Jon Willow, CBAN Wait, there's more to broadband access than connectivity? The need for quality, connected devices to achieve digital equity is finally being recognized on a broader scale. But which devices help the most, and how can communities tap into affordable device options? Guests: Karisa Tashjian, Digitunity, Ryan McFadden, Electronic Access Foundation Kelsey Baird, City of San Diego (invited)
11:29am	Closing Remarks

CBAN 2023 Fall Forum

What's Next For Broadband?