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Virginia Broadband Summit – Partnerships for Connecting the Commonwealth

Virginia Broadband Summit – Partnerships for Connecting the Commonwealth

Event Date: October 30, 2018
Event Time: 8:30am to 4:00 pm
Event Location: Roanoke South County Library
Presentation: Virginia Broadband Summit 2018  

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s BroadbandUSA Program and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology are hosting the Virginia Broadband Summit at the South County Library in Roanoke, VA on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.

The summit will provide information to help accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, and support local priorities. Topics include local broadband planning, funding and engagement with service providers. Speakers and attendees from Virginia, federal agencies and across the country will come together to explore ways to facilitate the expansion of broadband capacity, access and utilization.

The summit is free and open to the public.

Hotel Information: If you require lodging for the Virginia Broadband Summit, we have secured room blocks at two hotels near the Roanoke Library. Please use the link to receive the quoted rate. The blocks are for Monday, October 29 and/or Tuesday, October 30.

Hotel Roanoke: https://book.passkey.com/e/49789049 Rate is $149. This block has a cut-off date of 10/12/18
Holiday Inn Tanglewood: CIT-Virginia Broadband Summit Room Block Rate is $85, includes breakfast. This block has a cutoff date of 10/12/18, at which time it will be reviewed. 

Virginia Broadband Summit –Partnerships for Connecting the Commonwealth Roanoke South County Library | 6303 Merriman Road | Roanoke, VA 24018

Summit Objectives Leverage knowledge about successful projects across the Commonwealth. Cultivate opportunities for partnerships to enhance broadband access. Learn about federal, state, and private broadband resources.  #VABBSummit @NTIAgov @CITbroadband

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

8:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 Welcome and Opening Remarks

  • Center for Innovative Technology Leadership Team (confirmed) – Speaker TBD
  • Laura Spining, Director of Broadband USA Partnerships, BroadbandUSA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (confirmed)

8:45 The Power of Partnerships: Working Together to Strengthen Broadband Infrastructure
Strong partnerships lead to sustainable projects that meet community goals. Industry and civic leaders will share insights and describe how they developed their partnerships and worked together to accelerate broadband deployments.

Speakers:

  • Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority (confirmed)
  • Prince George County and Prince George Electric Cooperative (confirmed)
  • GigaBeam Networks and Bland County (confirmed)
  • MODERATOR: Katherine Bates, Manager for State and Local Partnerships, BroadbandUSA, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (confirmed)

10:00 Break 

10:15 Planning a Community Broadband Roadmap
Community leaders are uniquely qualified to assist in developing a community broadband vision and goals. In order to implement this vision, a broadband planning process should be undertaken. NTIA and CIT staff will provide guidance and tips for moving from vision to goals. 

Speakers:

  • Don Williams, Senior Specialist for Broadband Development Infrastructure, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce (confirmed)
  • Chuck Kirby, Vice President of Broadband Programs, Center for Innovative Technology (confirmed)
  • MODERATOR: Phyllis A. Errico, Esq, General Counsel, Virginia Association of Counties (confirmed)

11:30 Lunch  

12:30 Proactive Broadband Planning
Virginia locality representatives will discuss steps they have taken to implement broadband-friendly policies, proactively plan to pursue funding opportunities, and leverage preexisting assets to help expedite broadband deployment.

Speakers:

  • City of Virginia Beach - Debra Bryan, Associate City Attorney (confirmed)
  • Orange County - Bryan David, County Administrator (confirmed)
  • Bedford County - Carl Boggess, County Administrator (confirmed)
  • MODERATOR: Caroline Luxhoj, Broadband Program Administrator, Center for Innovative Technology (confirmed)

2:00 Break 

2:15 Broadband Programs and Funding Opportunities
Listen to state and federal partners share the latest on broadband funding opportunities.

Speakers:

  • Tamarah Holmes, Associate Director of Community Development Policy, Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (confirmed)
  • Timothy S. Pfohl, Grants Program Administration Director, Virginia Tobacco Revitalization Commission (confirmed)
  • Richard Jenkins, General Field Representative for Virginia, Rural Development for U.S. Department of Agriculture – Rural Utilities Service/Telecomm Program (confirmed)
  • MODERATOR: Courtney Dozier, Virginia Deputy Broadband Advisor and Chief Deputy, Department of Housing and Community Development  (confirmed)

3:15 What Does the Future Hold for Virginia Broadband?
Past and on-going activities have moved the needle for broadband access in the Commonwealth; but in order to bring universal broadband access to residents and businesses, we must accomplish more. Hear about the vision for Virginia broadband.

Speaker:

  • Evan Feinman, Virginia Chief Broadband Advisor and Executive Director of the Tobacco Revitalization Commission (confirmed)

3:45 Open Q & A

4:00 Adjourn

Resource Files