Fiber Connect 2026 Breakout Sessions – Call for Speakers

Please read the following information in its entirety before submitting. 

• We are looking for expert speakers for panels already developed, not topic suggestions for panels. Do not submit a topic abstract. Only submit an individual speaker.
• No submissions featuring or focused on specific company products or solutions will be considered.
• Please answer all questions to the best of your ability. Incomplete or missing answers can impact your ability to be selected as part of the program.
• If accepted as a speaker, the invitation to speak is not transferable to another company or individual within that company.
• Our goal is to have at least one network operator on each panel and session at Fiber Connect 2026.

All speaker submissions will be reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee with the following considerations:  

• Expertise on subject matter
• Involvement with FBA
• Relevant speaker experience  

The Conference Committee seeks to create a balanced conference program that showcases the wide range of member companies, diversity, and expertise that allows our industry to thrive.  

Submission does not guarantee acceptance into the Fiber Connect 2026 program. There are several speaking opportunities at Fiber Connect 2026 that are part of the various sponsorship programs. Please contact Lucy Green to inquire about these opportunities.

Pre-Conference Workshops will be held from 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm on Sunday, May 17. With this year’s Call for Speakers, we are looking for subject matter experts as part of the Marketing and Customer Experience Pre-Conference Workshop.

During this program, we plan to offer four sessions, focused the following topics:

Marketing Metrics That Matter: The Numbers Every CMO Should Track

This session will focus on the essential KPIs every CMO needs to measure to prove ROI, optimize campaigns, and align marketing with business growth.

Submit to Speak

The Power of Local: Developing Messages that Resonate

This session explores proven strategies to localize storytelling and build authentic engagement that drives lasting impact.

Submit to Speak

Driving Subscriber Growth: Marketing Strategies for Fiber Expansion

This session shares strategies ISPs can use to accelerate subscriber growth and maximize the impact of fiber expansion.

Submit to Speak

Winning Customer Loyalty: Proven Strategies to Reduce Churn in Broadband

This session reveals practical strategies broadband providers can use to reduce churn and build long-term loyalty.

Submit to Speak

Fiber Connect 2026 Breakout Sessions will be held from 1:00 – 2:30 pm on Monday and Tuesday, with each session lasting 40 minutes. With this timeframe, the goal is no more than four speakers per panel plus the moderator. Breakout Sessions are entirely comprised of panel sessions. These panel sessions are moderated and intended to focus on the issues driving the fiber broadband industry forward. There are no stand-alone presentation options as part of the programming.

Please note that to accommodate as many FBA members as possible, we limit any one company to no more than two speaking spots during the Breakout Program, and where possible, any individual with one spot. It is also our plan to include at least one network operator on each panel.

We are looking for individuals interested in joining the conversations on the topics listed below:

Deployment Best Practices

These sessions are designed to tackle issues, opportunities, and challenges associated with the deployment of fiber broadband. Ideally focused on how operators will look to take fiber further, especially to new unserved markets, speakers should be able to present best practices and/or lessons learned.

Submit to Speak

Outside Plant Considerations

These sessions are designed to discuss the realities of deploying fiber broadband to places it has not been deployed before and examine the technologies and systems available to help operators expand their range and reach.

Submit to Speak

Service Provider Ecosystem: Building Teams That Move Business Forward

These sessions are intended to focus on how the fiber broadband industry can improve the service providers’ experience and reduce silos and challenges that service providers are facing.

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Data Centers

As AI reshapes industries and drives skyrocketing data demands, fiber broadband’s critical role in delivering the ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and high-capacity infrastructure are necessary to sustain AI’s exponential growth. Without fiber, AI-powered advancements ranging from real-time cloud computing to autonomous systems will be limited by network constraints. This panel will dive into fiber broadband’s role as more than just an enabler of AI, it is the infrastructure that will determine AI’s success. 

Submit to Speak

Open Access

These sessions will take a deep dive into the Open Access landscape and its evolution; what an open access network is, what it means to ISPs, what models are available and what the current market looks like. The panel will also discuss what the future of open access looks like and what is required to move the market forward.

Submit to Speak

Fiber Economics

These sessions are designed to examine the financial considerations and opportunities operators need to consider when deploying fiber broadband services in either greenfield or existing network environments in both rural and urban environments.

Submit to Speak

Local Considerations

These sessions are designed to share best practices for working with local agencies on the permitting, ROW, and locates process.

Submit to Speak

Tribal Broadband

This track is designed to discuss sustainable paths forward to connect tribal communities with fiber broadband in accordance with individual nations’ laws and customs.

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Network Expansion

This track is intended to address the issues, opportunities, and challenges associated with the operational aspects of managing networks as operators expand the range and reach of fiber broadband networks and services.

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Marketing

This track will dive into innovative approaches to captivate your audience, build trust, and drive sustainable growth. From maximizing AI for hyper-targeted campaigns to leveraging local SEO, referral programs, and community events, this session empowers you to transform your marketing efforts. During this panel, industry experts will share practical insights, trends for the year ahead, and discuss the tools needed to thrive in a competitive landscape.

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MDU

This track will provide a detailed roadmap for evaluating existing infrastructure, designing an optimal fiber network, selecting the right technology and equipment, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This panel of experts will outline a clear path forward, to ensure that operators are prepared to deliver high-quality service and support to residents.

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Middle Mile

This track is designed to discuss the deployment of middle mile networks to support network operator fiber broadband expansion to serve rural communities.

Submit to Speak

We are expanding our specialty programs at Fiber Connect 2026 with the goal of introducing relevant topics that will help our industry move forward and plan for the next phase of growth and opportunities. These programs will be held from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Monday, May 18, and Tuesday, May 19.

We are looking for subject matter experts to help attendees at Fiber Connect 2026 better understand the opportunities as it relates to the following areas:

Precision Agriculture

These sessions will explore the role of broadband in advancing precision agriculture to boost productivity and sustainability.

Submit to Speak

Telehealth

These sessions will highlight how connectivity is expanding access, improving outcomes, and reshaping the future of healthcare delivery.

Submit to Speak

AI, Quantum, and Emerging Technologies

These sessions will examine the infrastructure demands and opportunities driving breakthroughs that will shape the digital future.

Submit to Speak

Streaming and Gaming

These sessions will dive into the demands of next-gen entertainment and the opportunities for providers to meet skyrocketing consumer expectations.

Submit to Speak

Please note that these programs are also part of the Ala Carte Content Sponsorship Program and include the opportunity for the sponsor to deliver a specific program’s keynote.

Please contact Lucy Green for more information about sponsorships.

The Call for Speakers is open September 15 – October 31, 2026. Submissions past this date will not be considered for inclusion at Fiber Connect 2026.

• Once the submission window closes, the FBA conference committee will review and rate each submission.
• This is a 2 – 3 week process based on the number of submissions. From the review, the conference committee leadership will construct a draft agenda for the programs listed above.
• December 1 – 5, the Speakers selected from the submission process, will be invited to join a panel defined by the committee.
• Speakers will need to accept the invitation and confirm participation by December 19, 2026.
• If your submission is not accepted, please understand that the decision of the committee is final. Thank you in advance for understanding the challenges and effort required to develop the Fiber Connect 2026 program and we appreciate your respect for the process.