It’s not in Minnesota – but it still looks good for folks who are involved, or wanting to get involved in public broadband, or what I might call community networks…
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, our inaugural public broadband conference, bringing 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.
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
To Be Announced
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
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