Impact in Action: The Southeastern Public Broadband Conference

Hosted in Chattanooga, Tennessee | Presented by AAPB – The Nation’s Voice for Local Choice

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Join the Nation’s Voice for Local Choice

Attend the Southeastern Public Broadband Conference!

Impact in Action flips the script on traditional broadband events.

Instead of dwelling on barriers, this conference celebrates solutions, the co-ops, utilities, cities, and partners that are building successful public broadband networks across the Southeast. This regional leadership forum in the city that helped redefine what community broadband can look like.

With attendance capped at 150 participants, Impact in Action is designed as a focused working forum for local leaders, broadband office directors, and utility executives navigating infrastructure decisions.

In an environment marked by funding shifts, and long-term sustainability questions, the conversation has moved beyond “why broadband.” The focus now is how.

Over two days, AAPB will spotlight communities, cooperatives, and utilities that have successfully deployed and sustained public broadband networks. These are operator-level discussions centered on capital structure, political navigation, execution strategy, and operational realities.

Structured roundtable sessions will allow participants to exchange lessons learned, pressure-test approaches, and identify practical frameworks that can be applied in their own communities.

Sponsors will be limited. This is a curated environment where those who build and those who lead engage directly, without the noise of a large trade show floor.

Chattanooga is not about rehashing policy battles. It is about implementation, durability, and how to navigate the world of Public Broadband.

EVENT DETAILS

Mac Avenue Event Space | 1304 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404

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COST TO ATTEND

Early Bird Rates* (through April 30, 2026)

• AAPB Members: $100

• Non-members: $150

Regular Rates* (May 1 - June 11, 2026)

• AAPB Members: $150

• Non-members: $200

*Non-Profit/Government/Press: Free

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Attend

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What to Expect

Tentative agenda that is subject to change. More details to be announced in the coming weeks. 

DAY 1: Impact in Action Kickoff — “Building Together” Celebrating Success and Setting the Stage

9:00 – 10:00 AM | Arrival, Check-In & Coffee

10:00 – 10:20 AM | Welcome & Kickoff

10:20 – 11:20 AM | Lightning Talks – “Five Stories of Success”

11:35 AM – 12:45 PM | Leadership Working Sessions: From Investigation to Action Select from five moderated breakout sessions

Breakout Sessions:

• Financial Exposure & Capital Risk

• Governance & Board Dynamics

• Operational Readiness & Staffing

• Partnership Concerns & Loss of Control

• Political Narrative & Public Pressure

12:45 – 1:45 PM | Lunch Break + Networking (Food Trucks)

1:45 – 2:30 PM | Fireside Chat w/ AAPB Executive Director Gigi Sohn

2:45 – 5:00 PM | Impact in Action Gallery Opens, Reception in the Gallery (Social Hour)

Day 2: Scaling Success — “Building with Confidence" The Tools and Partners Behind the Build

8:00 – 8:45 AM | Breakfast + Opening Framing

9:00 – 10:15 AM | Leadership Working Sessions: Building Community Broadband Select from five moderated breakout sessions

Breakout Sessions:

• Choosing the Right Model in Today’s Environment

• Financing Strategy After BEAD Adjustments

• Operational & Governance Realities

• Partnership Structures That Preserve Community Control

• Managing Political & Public Expectations

10:15 – 10:45 AM | Coffee & Open Exchange

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Regional Leadership Conversation

1:15 – 2:15 PM | Case Study Deep Dive

2:30 – 3:30 PM | The Next Move: Building with Discipline and Confidence

3:30 - 3:45 PM | Closing Remarks