[Event] Community First: The Future of Public Broadband Conference and Hill Day

Join Us for Community First: The Future of Public Broadband Conference and Hill Day | May 14–15 | Washington, D.C.

The American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and New America Open Technology Institute (OTI) is proud to host Community First: The Future of Public Broadband Conference and Hill Day alongside our partners the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, and the Community Broadband Action Network. Our inaugural public broadband conference will bring together public broadband champions, community leaders, policymakers and industry experts for two days of strategy, advocacy, discussions and networking in the nation’s capital.

As momentum grows for community-owned broadband networks and cooperatives, this event will provide an essential space to share best practices, discuss financing, shape public policy, and support the development and expansion of public broadband networks to ensure all Americans have access to reliable, high-speed, affordable internet service.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available

• Interested in sponsoring the event? Contact Gigi Sohn at gsohn@aapb.us.

Not an AAPB member?

• Join today.

📅 Day 1: Wednesday, May 14 — Advocacy Training & Conference

Location: New America (740 15th St NW #900, Washington, DC 20005)

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Continental Breakfast (for Advocacy Training attendees)

Meet fellow attendees before diving into a hands-on advocacy training to kick off the day.

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Advocacy Training (for AAPB members)

Learn how to make a compelling case for public broadband to policymakers, the press, and the public. This session will help attendees prepare for Hill meetings with clear, persuasive talking points, tips for handling tough questions, and an overview of Hill etiquette and expectations. If you're not an AAPB member but are interested in attending the training and Hill Day, please contact Gigi Sohn at gsohn@aapb.us.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch

Enjoy a catered lunch and connect with fellow attendees.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Panel 1: From Vision to Connection - Building a Successful Public Broadband Network

This panel features public broadband leaders, technical experts, and policy strategists sharing lessons learned from launching and growing successful community-owned networks.

Moderator:

Raza Panjwani

Senior Policy Counsel, New America's Open Technology Institute

Panelists:

Roger Timmerman

Executive Director, UTOPIA Fiber

Ellie de Villiers

Executive Director, Maple Broadband

Jordana Barton García

Director, Texas Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition, Connect Humanity

Scott Menhart

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Traverse City Light & Power

Joshua Edmonds

Chief Executive Officer, DigitalC

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM | Fireside Chat: Gigi Sohn, Executive Director, AAPB and Elliot Noss, President and CEO, TING

2:15 PM – 3:15 PM | Panel 2: Bridging the Divide Together - Public-Private Partnerships for Broadband Expansion

Panelists will discuss how local governments and private ISPs can collaborate through public-private partnerships (PPPs) to expand broadband access.

Moderator:

Sean Gonsalves

Associate Director for Communications, Community Broadband Networks Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Panelists:

Christa Shute

Executive Director, NEK Broadband

Elliot Noss

President and CEO, TING

Brian Hollister

Co-Founder and CEO, Bonfire Infrastructure Group

Jessica Fowler

Vice President, Business Development - Northeast, Vivacity Infrastructure Group

3:15 PM – 3:30 PM | Break

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM | Panel 3: Community Bandwidth: A Town Hall on Public Broadband Challenges & Solutions

Tired of short Q&A sessions? This interactive, town hall-style panel invites attendees to shape the conversation with a panel of experts on a wide range of topics affecting public broadband. Submit your questions and topics in advance using this form to help guide a dynamic discussion on the challenges and future of public broadband.

Moderator:

Curtis Dean

Co-Founder and Executive Director, Community Broadband Action Network (CBAN)

Panelists:

Chris Mitchell

Director, Community Broadband Networks Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)

Alex Kelley

Director of Broadband Consulting, Center for Rural Innovation

AnnMarie Gordon

Senior Field Marketing Manager, Municipalities, Calix

Mathers (Matt) Farr

President, RuCon Consulting & Engineering

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Networking Social

Wrap up the day with drinks and good conversation.

🏛️ Day 2: Thursday, May 15 — Hill Day

Location: Meeting place available upon RSVP

9:00 AM – 9:45 AM | Continental Breakfast

Meet at New America before heading to the Hill.

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Hill Day

AAPB will coordinate meetings with key members of Congress and their staff. This is your opportunity to advocate for public broadband and educate federal decision-makers about the importance of community-owned networks.

Who Should Attend:

• Municipal broadband leaders

• Cooperative broadband executives

• Local, state, and tribal government officials and staff

• Digital equity advocates

• Public interest organizations

• Private-sector partners committed to public broadband

Register here.