Minnesota Broadband Conferences are always a great place to learn what you need to know about community broadband initiatives – from new technologies to digital inclusion.  There’s always a range of opportunities to fit your style – straightforward content delivery from the front of the room to “open space” participant-centered interactive sessions to straight out networking.  Plus some fun!

Conference details:

Border to Border Broadband: A Call to Action
When: Feb 4-5, 2014
Where: St Paul RiverCentre
Cost: $120
Register Here

Here’s a snapshot of what you can expect this year:

On Wednesday morning, February 5, attendees will have rapid-fire opportunities to hear speakers on a range of topics organized in four tracks:

• Broadband infrastructure development
  • Fiber optic networks
  • Wireless networks
  • Successful public sector initiatives
  • Broadband co-ops – a new take on an old model
  • Common barriers to rural broadband deployment
• Digital inclusion
  • Computer refurbishment strategies
  • Digital literacy training
  • Digital literacy for New Americans
  • Broadband provider digital inclusion programs
• Business and Economic Development
  • Hosting social media events
  • Encouraging business adoption and utilization
  • Tele-work
  • Gigabit networks for innovation
• Applications
  • Videoconferencing
  • Applications by sector

There’s even a bonus track – in the form of a pre-conference session…

For those new to broadband initiatives and those seeking to broaden their approach, a special pre-conference session at 1 pm on February 4 will provide an overview of the necessary components of successful community broadband program.  This interactive session will provide a roadmap for communities to increase both access to and use of broadband within their communities.  The session will help you answer these questions:

• What is broadband and how do technologies compare?
• How do we assess broadband availability and quality in our community?
• If necessary, how can we improve the broadband services offered in our community?
• How is our community using broadband now?
• How can our community institutions, businesses and residents make more effective use of broadband?
• How can we use broadband as a tool for economic development?

If there is a topic that you want to learn more about, let us know!