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Early Bird Registration is open until July 16!
 

The Annual SHLB Conference is the best place to expand your networks and knowledge of all things related to anchor institution broadband. Schools, libraries, telehealth networks, companies, and consultants attend from around the country to learn about their connectivity options. This year's Conference will have a special focus on the wide variety of federal broadband funding opportunities, including the IIJA Programs, Emergency Connectivity Fund, the Treasury Department Capital Projects Fund, as well as E-rate, Rural Health Care, and digital equity programs.

When and where is AnchorNets 2024?

  • AnchorNets 2024 takes place from Wednesday, October 2 to Friday, October 4, 2024. The event is held at the Marriott Crystal Gateway, in Arlington, Virginia.

  • Subscribe to SHLB's mailing list, and you'll be the first to know of Conference-related news. Make sure to add communications2@shlb.org to your contacts so that our missives aren't marked as spam. 

  • Follow the SHLB Coalition on Twitter, Facebook , and LinkedIn.

 

Who will attend?

  • AnchorNets typically hosts a diverse audience made up of over 330:

    • Schools, libraries, hospitals and other community anchor institutions; 

    • Research and education (R&E) networks;

    • Telehealth networks;

    • Commercial broadband providers; 

    • Public policy representatives; 

    • Lawyers and consultants;

    • State broadband officials; and 

    • Federal policymakers 

How do I register for AnchorNets?

  • Complete the online registration form by selecting "Register Now" on the home page.

  • Select "CAI, Gov, or Public Interest" if you are an employee of a community anchor institution, public interest group, or government entity. Otherwise, please select "General Admission."

What is the cost of basic registration, and what does it include?

  • The cost of general registration is $749, and it includes access to all workshops, all breakout sessions, all plenary sessions and two receptions. and two lunches. 

  • Government employees, as well as employees of community anchor institutions and public interest groups, may register at the specially-discounted rate of $549.

Which payment methods are accepted?

  • Registration payments may be made by online credit card payment, or by check. Please send checks to: SHLB Coalition 1250 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 700 Washington, D.C. 20036
  • If you need to have SHLB set up as a vendor or fill out any sort of paperwork in order to pay, please email Lauren Rachuba at operations@shlb.org.

What is the refund policy?

  • Registrations cancelled before September 1 will be refunded in full. Registrations cancelled before October 1 will be refunded by 50 percent. Regrettably, SHLB is unable to refund registrations cancelled October 5 and thereafter.

Does SHLB offer any discounts for AnchorNets?

  • SPEAKERS: AnchorNets speakers are entitled to a 25 percent discount off basic registration. If you are slated to speak, SHLB staff will be in touch to share the discount code. Anchor institution employee speakers may attend AnchorNets free of charge.

  • SHLB MEMBERS: SHLB Coalition members enjoy 20 percent off basic registration for AnchorNets. Log into your SHLB membership account to obtain the discount code for 20 percent off automatically applied. 

What's the Early Bird deal?

  • With our extended Early Bird deal, all registration types save $100 off until July 15. The discount will be automatically applied.

How do I reserve a hotel room in SHLB's discounted block?

  • Visit this link. 

Where are the nearest airports and Amtrak stations?

  • Please visit the Hotel and Travel page for more info.

Thank you for your support of this year’s conference. 

Please review the following information and feel free to contact Lauren Rachuba at operations@shlb.org with any questions. 

The exhibit tables will be distributed throughout the conference's main thoroughfares. Sponsors will choose their location as follows: Gold sponsors will have first choice; all other sponsors will choose on a first come first served basis based on when they agreed to take an exhibit table.

  • You will be able to set up your display beginning at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, October 1, 2023. 

  • Each exhibitor will have a 6’x 30” Draped Table and (2) chairs. . 

  • There are standard electrical outlets near each table. Extension cords may be needed to reach your nearest outlet.

Crystal Gateway Marriott Shipping and Receiving

Receiving Charges & Storage Fees: 

The Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel will only accept packages (3) three days prior to your function date/arrival date and we must be made aware of such deliveries by emailing WASGWSECURITY@Marriott.com 

Please put your exhibit table number on the package 

Packages delivered more than (3) days before your function date/arrival date will be assessed a storage fee. The storage fee prices are as follows: 

Pallets- $100.00 per day. 

Crates/Exhibit cases over 50 lbs. - $100.00 per day. 

Exhibit cases under 50 lbs.- $25.00 per case per day. 

Package/Boxes under 25 lbs. $5.00 a Package /Box per day 

Package/Boxes over (25 lbs.+) $10.00 a Package/Box per day. 

Shipments being delivered to the Crystal Gateway Marriott MUST be addressed as follows: 

Attn: PERSON RECEIVING BOX

Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel1700 Richmond Highway

Arlington, Virginia 22202

Hold For: Group Name, On Property Contact Name

Arrival Date: Contact Arrival Day and Date

The Crystal Gateway Marriott will not assume any responsibility for the damage or loss of merchandise sent to the Hotel for storage. Shipping charges apply for both incoming and outgoing packages. You can have a backdrop, but we suggest limiting items behind the table as much as possible due to the size of the event space. We would recommend using a banner if you have one.

You can have a backdrop, but we suggest limiting items behind the table as much as possible due to the size of the event space. We would recommend using a banner if you have one.

SPEAKERS: AnchorNets speakers are entitled to a 25 percent discount off adminssion. If you are slated to speak, SHLB staff will be in touch to share the discount code. Anchor institution employee speakers may attend AnchorNets free of charge.

SHLB MEMBERS: SHLB Coalition members enjoy discounted registration for all our events, and AnchorNets is no exception. Log into your SHLB membership account to obtain the discount code for 20 percent off automatically applied. 

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: AnchorNets attendees who register before July 15 will recieve $100 off registration price. This will automatically be applied at checkout. 

REFUND POLICY: 

  • Registrations cancelled before September 1 will be refunded in full. 

  • Registrations cancelled before October 1 will be refunded by 50 percent. 

  • Regrettably, SHLB is unable to refund registrations cancelled October 1 and thereafter.

ADMISSION PRICES 

  • General Admission 

    • $749

    • Registration for all attendees, excluding students, community anchor institutions, public interest groups, and government employees. 

  • CAI, Gov, or Public Interest

    • $549

    • Registration for community anchor institutions, public interest groups, and government employees.

  • Student

    • $200

    • Registration for all undergraduate, graduate, and advanced degree students.

  • Insights Track

    • $300

      • The Insights Track includes a high-level workshop on Wednesday afternoon, followed by an intimate dinner with thought-leaders in the evening.

      • *The Insights track is an add-on to registration and may not be purchased solo.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization with a diverse body of members from across the United States. SHLB’s mission is “for every anchor institution in the country to have affordable, high-quality broadband that serves the needs of the institution and is open and accessible by the surrounding community.”

As a mission-driven advocacy organization, SHLB works with anchor institutions, the broadband industry, and policymakers at every level of government to promote programs and policies that advance its mission. SHLB engages by convening regular conference calls with our membership, conducting research, developing policy proposals, filing comments in regulatory proceedings, and meeting with policymakers.

To learn more about the SHLB Coalition and our advocacy work, visit www.shlb.org.