Keynote Speaker

The Intangible "It"

Jack Stahlmann, The Don't Flinch Guy

The Intangible It examines the “it” quality movie stars possess that you can't quite put your finger on… or can you? By sharing humorous tales of his Tinseltown adventures, Jack breaks down the “it” factor that makes certain actors’ superstars and how to use those lessons to become a star in your profession.

You’ll learn about The Gift and how to channel your inner-Clooney to make everyone you encounter feel important. We’ll examine The Shift by exploring the secret that has given Tom Hanks such career longevity. And with The Connect we will dive into ways you can be more memorable to anyone you meet – and it might be as simple as wearing a Dolly Parton tee shirt. Really.

This presentation is the spoonful of sugar with the medicine because it delivers the fun and humor you want with the takeaways that you just might need.

General Sessions
Monday, October 12

General Session: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 

Opening General Session TBA!

Session description coming soon!

Tuesday, October 13

General Session: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM 

The Intangible "It"

Jack Stahlmann, The Don't Flinch Guy

Session description listed above under Keynote Speakers.

USF Reform Updates 

Josh Seidemann  

Session description coming soon!  

Breakout Sessions
Tuesday, October 13

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM 

From Connection to Commitment: Driving Adoption and Retention Across the Customer Journey

Cat Minor, Calix  

Winning a subscriber is only the beginning, the real challenge is turning subscribers into loyal advocates while reducing churn and maximizing customer lifetime value. This session explores how broadband providers can create seamless customer journeys that drive service adoption, increase engagement, and strengthen retention. Attendees will learn practical strategies they can implement today for delivering exceptional experiences from onboarding through ongoing support.

Securing the Plant: Practical Supply Chain Strategies for Modern OSP Deployments

Mike Smith, RaDD Network Solutions  

Relying on your immediate distributor’s word is no longer enough. The trend in 2026 is "Product Provenance", using integrated supply networks and digital product passports to trace a spool of fiber back to its raw components. Mike will cover how to build multi-tier supply chain visibility to eliminate single points of failure, while improving the "Supplier Experience" so local Wisconsin operators get prioritized when material allocations run tight.

Guardrails, Not Roadblocks: Building a Practical Framework for Employee AI Tool Usage

Daniel Lindley, JSI  

As AI tools become embedded in everyday workflows, organizations face a critical gap between the speed of adoption and the maturity of governance. This session presents a practical framework for governing employee use of AI tools, covering what a company AI policy should contain, principles for proper day-to-day use, and guidance on what should and should not be uploaded to AI engines in an effort to assist IT, compliance, and department leaders in enabling AI adoption without exposing their organizations to unnecessary risk.

3:00 PM - 3:50 PM

Esports: Pipeline to Workforce Development

Kaleb Dshaak and Mike Dahle, Fenworks  

Session description coming soon!

Local Exchange Carrier to Local Intelligence Carrier: Leveraging LEC Assets for AI, Cloud, and Connectivity

PJ Louis, National Exchange Carrier Association  

AI is not only a computing revolution; it is an infrastructure opportunity. This panel will examine how rural and independent carriers can leverage fiber networks, central offices, real estate, power, cloud platforms, and local market knowledge to participate in emerging AI, data center, edge-computing, and connectivity markets.

Economic Update - Sustained Uncertainty/Sustained Stability

Hunter Hook, CoBank  

The economy continues to surprise on the upside and remains stable despite an almost constant stream of challenging geopolitical and economic news. Why is that, and what does that mean for you? This presentation will provide you with the economic info that is vital to running a business and the context that will help you use it.

Beyond the Hype: Navigating the 2026 Broadband Tech Divide

Daniel Brashear, JSI  

As 2026 progresses, the race to close the digital divide has shifted from a speed-at-all-costs sprint to a more nuanced focus on reliability and “experiential quality.” For network operators and policymakers, the choice between LEO satellite, fixed wireless, fiber, and cable is no longer binary. Each technology now occupies a specific strategic niche defined by latency, throughput, and long-term scalability.

This session provides a rigorous comparison of the current broadband landscape. We will analyze the high-capacity dominance of Fiber, the resurgent competitive pressure of Cable through DOCSIS 4.0, the rapid deployment flexibility of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), and the maturing LEO satellite constellations that are challenging traditional rural deployment models. By weighing the physics of the medium against the demands of modern applications, we will determine which technologies are truly "future-proof" and which are interim solutions.

4:00 PM - 4:50 PM

Hire Right, Ignite Your Culture

Holly Shaskey-Platek, Cooperative Network Solutions  

"Hire Right, Ignite Your Culture" walks through the full talent lifecycle for a convention audience: structured, culture-fit hiring; a detailed two-week onboarding schedule; productivity through tools, autonomy, and feedback; and retention via development, listening, and internal mobility. It closes with three unifying pillars—hiring, productivity, engagement—bound by strong organizational culture. Provides examples on best attraction tools, how to improve company website to attract and lead with culture through the team member lifecycle beginning with attraction all the way through a team member's departure.

Don't Talk to Strangers Online - A Story About AI

Jacob Secor, WIN Technology  

AI is a great tool, but it should not be a replacement for careful thought. In this session, you'll learn about some ways that AI can go wrong and what to do about it! While AI is a new technology, the core concepts of Cybersecurity still apply.

Political Update

Bill Esbeck, WSTA Executive Director  

What Really Happens - A Cyber Incident

Heather Schwaiger, Telcom Insurance Group  

Most companies have dealt with claims. Fender benders, wind or hail claims, and injured workers are common. A cyber incident and dealing with it is unlike any of the common claims. Get a peek inside at what a cyber incident entails and what you need to know. No two cyber incidents are alike but have some understanding of the common ground will be invaluable.