Day 1 - Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Time
Session
Location
Details
11:45AM - 12:15PM
Lunch
Sponsored by ErateSync and EdTechnologyFunds
Sponsored by ErateSync and EdTechnologyFunds
Virginia Foyer
*Buffet Lunch Provided
1:15PM - 2:15PM
Breakout #1: USF Contribution and Distribution Reform: Imagining What Is Possible
Williamsburg
2:15PM - 2:45PM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes snacks and beverages
2:45PM - 4:00PM
Breakout #2: Connected Campuses, Stronger Communities: A Roundtable Discussion about Advancing Higher Education Engagement within SHLB
Yorktown
4:00PM - 4:15PM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes beverages
4:15PM - 5:00PM
Plenary 2: Where the Wires End, the Stories Begin: Traveling the Digital Divide with Keynote Dr. Chris Ali
Adams/Madison
5:00PM - 6:30PM
Reception
Sponsored by AIM Concepts, CTech Associates, Sovereign Optical and Wireless
Sponsored by AIM Concepts, CTech Associates, Sovereign Optical and Wireless
Crystal Ballroom
*Light Refreshments and Drink Tickets Provided
8:00PM - 10:00PM
Afterparty
Sponsored by Fortinet
Sponsored by Fortinet
Highline RxR
2010 Crystal Dr
Arlington, VA 22202
2010 Crystal Dr
Arlington, VA 22202
*Appetizers and drinks provided
Day 2 - Thursday, October 8, 2026
Note: the following schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Time
Session
Location
Details
8:00AM - 8:30AM
Breakfast
Sponsored by Alpine Frog, LLC
Sponsored by Alpine Frog, LLC
Virginia Foyer
*Breakfast Provided
8:30AM - 9:30AM
Plenary 3: Updates From the FCC on E-Rate and Rural Health Care & Anchor Champion Award Presentation
Adams/Madison
9:30AM - 9:50AM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes beverages
9:50AM - 10:50AM
Breakout #3: E-Rate in Question: The FCC's New Rulemaking and What's at Stake
Richmond/Roanoke
9:50AM - 10:50AM
Breakout #5: Digital Infrastructure Planning at Higher Education Institutions: Resources and Funding Pathways
Williamsburg
10:50AM - 11:10AM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes snacks and beverages
11:10AM - 12:10PM
Breakout #6: The Art of Advocacy: How to Effectively Tell Your Broadband Story
Williamsburg
11:10AM - 12:10PM
Breakout #7: Too Much Tech? How the FCC Is Entering the Screen Time Debate
Richmond/Roanoke
11:10AM - 12:10PM
Breakout #8: Measuring What Matters: Quantifying the Economic Impact of Digital and AI Skills
Yorktown
12:10PM - 12:45PM
Lunch
Sponsored by Mobile Beacon
Sponsored by Mobile Beacon
Adams/Madison
*Lunch Provided
1:45PM - 2:00PM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes snacks and beverages
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Breakout #9: Enabling Healthcare & Biomedical Research Through Research & Education Networks
Williamsburg
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Breakout #10: BEAD and Beyond: Sustaining State Broadband Offices After the Buildout
Richmond/Roanoke
2:00PM - 3:00PM
Breakout #11: The Unique Role of Local Governments in Digital Inclusion Ecosystems
Yorktown
3:00PM - 3:20PM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes snacks and beverages
3:20PM - 4:20PM
Breakout #12: From Broadband to Better Health: Lessons in Telehealth and Digital Navigation
Yorktown
3:20PM - 4:20PM
Breakout #13: Understanding the Economics of a New Era in Broadband
Richmond/Roanoke
3:20PM - 4:20PM
Breakout #14: Building Community Wireless Networks for Last-Mile Connectivity
Williamsburg
4:20PM - 6:00PM
Reception Sponsored by AT&T
Crystal Ballroom
*Light refreshments and drink tickets provided
Day 3 - Friday, October 9, 2026
Note: the following schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Time
Session
Location
Details
8:00AM - 8:30AM
Breakfast
Sponsored by Broadband Legal Strategies
Sponsored by Broadband Legal Strategies
Virginia Foyer
*Grab and head into plenary session
8:30AM - 9:15AM
Plenary #5: USF's Future: Perspectives from the Commission and Congress
Adams/Madison
9:15AM - 9:35AM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes beverages
9:35AM - 10:35AM
Plenary #6: From the Courts to the Commission: Legal Threats to E-Rate, RHC, and USF
Adams/Madison
10:35AM - 10:55AM
Networking Break
.US Networking Lounge
*Includes snacks and beverages
10:55AM - 11:55AM
Breakout #15: E-Rate Competitive Bidding: Best Practices for Service Providers
Richmond/Roanoke
10:55AM - 11:55AM
Breakout #16: Strengthening K–12 Connectivity Through Research and Education Network Partnerships
Williamsburg
10:55AM - 11:55AM
Breakout #17: Telehealth Access Points: Activating Community Infrastructure for Last-Mile Care
Yorktown
11:55AM - 12:00PM
Grab and Go Lunch
Virginia Foyer
*Grab and head into plenary session
12:00PM - 1:00PM
Plenary 7: Defend. Evolve. Lead. Charting SHLB's Path Forward
Washington