2026 CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Speakers and session descriptions are continuing to be added. 
Please check back often.
 

Tuesday, August 18, 2026
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
Victor Yow

There is no charge to attend but you must be registered as a full delegate to sign up. Seating is limited. 

Click here if you have not registered for the conference yet.  Click here if you are registered and need to modify your registration.

If you have any registration questions or run into any issues, please contact us at registration@endeavorb2b.com.

Sumitomo Electric has been at the forefront of ribbon splicing technology since its inception. Learn from our splicing experts the best methods to ensure high quality, low loss mass fusion splicing. Featuring our latest models, attendees will get the chance to have hands-on demonstrations with expert supervision.

Attendees will be able to:

- Identify and define different types of ribbon fiber 
- Understand the main challenges associated with ribbon splicing
- Perform a ribbon splice

Presented by:

 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
Natasha Todorovic

There is no charge to attend but you must be registered as a full delegate to sign up. Seating is limited. 

Click here if you have not registered for the conference yet.  Click here if you are registered and need to modify your registration.

If you have any registration questions or run into any issues, please contact us at registration@endeavorb2b.com.

AI, cloud-native networks, and convergence are advancing rapidly—but workforce readiness for change is falling behind. Billions are being invested in transformation, yet many initiatives stall due to cultural resistance, misaligned leadership, and a lack of execution discipline. The real risk isn’t technology failure—but what is it? This session challenges network-evolution professionals to confront the human side of transformation and rethink how they lead in an AI-driven, converged environment.

You’ll learn:
• How to diagnose whether your organization is truly ready for AI and network transformation.
• The predictable leadership and cultural barriers that quietly derail convergence initiatives.
• A practical framework to align leadership behavior, accelerate adoption, and turn strategy into measurable impact.

 
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
Randall René

There is no charge to attend but you must be registered as a full delegate to sign up. Seating is limited. 

Click here if you have not registered for the conference yet.  Click here if you are registered and need to modify your registration.

If you have any registration questions or run into any issues, please contact us at registration@endeavorb2b.com.

 
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
 

BEAD was meant to solve the broadband gap—but delays, regulatory friction, and uneven state execution are raising a tougher question: what happens when the funding runs out? As deployments stall and costs rise, leaders must rethink how to build networks that are not just funded—but sustainable. This panel challenges the assumption that BEAD alone will deliver long-term success and dives into the real decisions shaping the next decade of broadband.

You’ll learn:
• Why one-time BEAD funding may fall short of 10–20-year sustainability.
• How to evaluate trade-offs across deployment, operating, and funding models.
• Two decisive actions to future-proof your broadband strategy beyond subsidies.

 
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
Mark Poletti Jayasheel Shetty

As 5G evolves and convergence accelerates, network leaders face growing pressure to align technology, business models, and enterprise demands—while navigating constant uncertainty. Traditional strategies are no longer sufficient.

Attendees will learn how to navigate market uncertainty, align technology and business strategies, and make informed decisions that build resilient networks and adaptable organizations while moving beyond connectivity toward sustainable value creation.

Learn how to:

  • Navigate 5G evolution and convergence with confidence.
  • Align technology investments with long-term value and resilience.
  • Build agile teams that thrive amid continuous change.
 
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
Jim Pelegris Ernest Gallo Luke Getto

What’s at risk when your network power isn’t fully protected?

As Class 4 FMPS gains traction for long-distance, high-power delivery, ensuring safety and reliability against EMI/RFI, lightning, and other electrical threats becomes critical. Without the right protection, networks—and the equipment they support—are vulnerable.

Learn how to:

  • Design safe and reliable Class 4 FMPS systems.
  • Identify required electrical protections for real-world environments.
  • Stay ahead of risk while enabling next-generation network power.
 
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
Robert Morphew Ian Raddant James Tanneberger

What if your biggest constraint in network deployment isn’t capital, but how your teams are structured?

As fiber builds accelerate, many organizations face a growing talent shortage and a disconnect between engineering and construction. This session explores how cross-training breaks down silos, enabling teams to work faster, smarter, and more collaboratively.

Learn how to:

  • Close talent gaps with multi-skilled teams.
  • Accelerate projects through early technology integration.
  • Apply a “Why Not” mindset to solve complex challenges.
  • Unlock greater efficiency and scale with the team you already have.
 
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
 

Too often, procurement and contracting decisions quietly dictate network performance, scalability, and upgrade flexibility—leading to delays, cost overruns, and stranded assets. In a converged, cloud-to-edge world, sourcing strategy is infrastructure.

There are better ways to avoid procurement and contracting decisions that unintentionally limit network performance, delay deployment, or block future upgrades. It’s time to use procurement as a strategic advantage from day one by structuring sourcing and contracts that support resilient, scalable, converged networks.

Learn how to:

  • Structure contracts that enable scalability and future upgrades.
  • Avoid sourcing decisions that limit performance and convergence.
  • Build supplier models that strengthen resilience and speed deployment.
 
 
 
Hayden Beeson
 
 
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
 
Category: Reducing Network OPEX with AI, Automation, and Network Security
Bellal Hossain

Service providers face rising OpEx, growing complexity, and constant security threats—while teams are stretched thin. Traditional approaches can’t keep up.

But what if you could lower network costs without adding tools or replacing infrastructure?

This session demonstrates how AI-driven automation and embedded security are transforming operations—cutting truck rolls, avoiding outages, and boosting margins.

Learn how to:

  • Pinpoint the biggest OpEx drivers and where AI delivers real savings.
  • Transform reactive NOCs to predictive, secure operations.
  • Apply proven use cases like fault prediction and zero-touch provisioning to complex and converging networks.
 
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
Hayden Beeson

Fiber builds aren’t being slowed by demand—they’re being stalled by supply chains. Long lead times, material shortages, and fragmented vendor coordination are delaying ambitious broadband plans and causing missed targets. The real question: are your supply chain strategies keeping pace with deployment goals—or holding them back? This panel brings together operators, manufacturers, and distributors to expose what’s actually causing delays—and what leaders are doing differently to stay ahead.

You’ll learn:

• The critical supply chain breakdowns that quietly delay broadband deployments.
• Proven strategies to source smarter and reduce inventory and vendor risk.
• How tighter coordination across suppliers can accelerate timelines and protect build schedules.

 
 
Category: Reducing Network OPEX with AI, Automation, and Network Security
Barry Walton

A decade into FTTH deployment, operators are confronting rising OpEx, unclear performance metrics, and the long-term impact of earlier design decisions. As networks mature, success depends on optimizing operations, evolving workforce models, and gaining better visibility into performance.

This panel offers real-world lessons from operators navigating the shift from build-out to sustained operations.

Learn how to:

  • Reduce truck rolls through smarter field operations.
  • Identify the service metrics that truly drive performance.
  • Modernize workforce models to support long-term efficiency.
 
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
 
 
 
 
 
8:30 AM - 9:15 AM
 
 
Janice Oliva Ali Alexander Phillips Marge Jackson Lauren Sanders

Don’t miss this highly anticipated panel of executive women who will share insights on their professional development and leadership, entrepreneurship, personal and professional empowerment.  Join us for a light continental breakfast, panel discussion, followed by audience Q&A and sponsored giveaways.  Also, attendees will receive an inspirational book to take home with them. 

Here are just a few topics we’ll cover.

  • What motivated you to step up and become a leader in your organization? 
  • Describe your leadership style and how you “lead” others.
  • How have you built confidence and/or resiliency over the course of your career?
  • How do you balance career, personal life and passions?  
  • What are the ways you stay grounded and take care of yourself?

Networking event is FREE to attend! Registration is required.

 
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
 
 
Randall René Darren Farnan Nick Fischer Kristina Harrison Dave Stehlin
 
 
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
 
 
 
 
10:30 AM - 5:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
12:45 PM - 1:45 PM
 
 
Jon Fitz Seth Amankwah Jason Brabec

What if you could significantly boost installation speed without increasing risk or complexity?

Large-scale cable deployments often struggle with inconsistent crews, conflicting methods, and resistance to new technologies—leading to delays and costly rework. This panel shares real-world lessons backed by third-party audited data, showing how productivity and quality can improve together.

Learn how to:

  • Identify the key drivers of installation speed and quality.
  • Introduce new technologies across diverse crews.
  • Apply collaborative practices that boost performance across projects.
 
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
Patrick Mclaughlin Rodney Casteel Ronna Davis Ben Rayfield

Research conducted by Endeavor B2B/Endeavor Business Intelligence shows 49% of end-user organizations that use Power over Ethernet (PoE) have at least one PoE circuit that is greater than 100 meters in length. Industry standards specify PoE up to a maximum length of 100 meters, leaving nearly half of all user organizations without ironclad guidance on deploying these systems.

So, what happens when your network must deliver both data and power—across miles of campus?

Higher education networks face increasing demands for supporting more devices, greater bandwidth, and longer distances—often powered by PoE. However, traditional solutions are reaching their limits, posing risks to performance, scalability, and future readiness.

Learn how to:

  • Overcome PoE’s apparent distance limitations to ensure a campus network is equipped to support current and future technologies.
  • Deliver data and power to common network devices, including Wi-Fi access points, cellular antennas, security/surveillance systems, digital signage and others.
  • Uncover fault-managed power as an option for long-distance power delivery in environments such as university campuses, including discussion of building codes’ recognition of FMP and practical strategies for its implementation.
 
 
Category: Industry Outlook & Leadership
 

AI is triggering one of the fastest surges in power demand the data center industry has ever seen—projected to rise 50% by 2027 and up to 165% by 2030 (Goldman Sachs). The question isn’t if power becomes the constraint—it’s how operators respond before power constraints limit growth.

This is a must-attend session for anyone navigating the intersection of AI, infrastructure, and network operations.

You’ll learn:

  • What’s really driving the electricity crunch behind AI data centers.
  • How leading operators are adapting to massive increases in power consumption.
  • How innovations like Fault Managed Power (FMP) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are reshaping communications networks.
 
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
 
 
Matthew Vincent

AI is redefining infrastructure, driving unprecedented demand for GPU clusters, fiber density, and energy at scale. Traditional site-selection models are breaking down, creating both risks and opportunities for telecom and infrastructure providers.

For telecom and infrastructure professionals, this shift represents both opportunity and disruption. With fiber operators, utilities, and network infrastructure providers being critical partners in enabling the next generation of AI-scale data centers, they must understand how the next phase of AI infrastructure development will impact the telecommunications and network ecosystem.

This panel will explore:

  • Why power availability is emerging as the primary driver of site selection.
  • The growing importance of fiber density and network topology for AI clusters.
  • Opportunities for telecom infrastructure providers in the AI infrastructure economy.
  • How regions such as Tennessee and the Southeast are positioning themselves for the next wave of data center development.
 
 
Category: Reducing Network OPEX with AI, Automation, and Network Security
 

What happens when human-led network operations can no longer keep up?

As fiber networks expand and SDN architectures become more complex, operators are overwhelmed with data but stuck in reactive workflows. This session moves beyond AI hype to provide a practical roadmap for transforming operations—using AI to unify siloed data, predict degradation, and prevent outages before the truck roll.

Learn how to:

  • Combine optical physics with AI analytics to reduce errors.
  • Apply predictive workflows for faster, first-time-right installs.
  • Build a roadmap that integrates data science with real-world network operations.
 
3:45 PM - 5:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
 
 
 

Swing Into Networking at ISE Expo 2026 with an evening at Top Golf!

Location: 500 Cowan St, Nashville, TN 37207
Transportation will not be provided
Directions to Venue

Why settle for ordinary networking when you can make connections while having fun?
Join industry leaders and peers for an unforgettable evening of golf, great food, and meaningful conversations—all in a relaxed, high-energy setting.

Your $100 ticket includes:

2 hours of Topgolf play – perfect for beginners and pros alike
Buffet dinner to keep you fueled
2 drink tickets to toast new connections
Contests & raffles with exciting prizes

Limited spots available—don’t wait!
This is your chance to build relationships, share ideas, and have a blast at ISE!

Cancellation Policy: Substitutions can be made at any time. Cancellations must be received by Monday, August 3rd to receive a full refund. After this date, no refunds will be permitted. Send all cancellation and substitution requests to Registration@EndeavorB2B.com.

 
Thursday, August 20, 2026
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
 
 
 
 
 
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
 
 
Michael Hamilton
 

Presented By:

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
 
 
 
 
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
 
 
 
 
 
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
 
Category: Reducing Network OPEX with AI, Automation, and Network Security
Jason San Souci

Did you know the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Market is growing at an 11% CAGR? (Source: marketsandmarkets.com)

It’s no surprise when you realize how manual reviews and outdated “as-built” data are driving unnecessary OpEx, rework, and risk. As networks grow, these inefficiencies compound—making it harder to maintain security and structural integrity.

This session shows how AI-driven BIM-to-BIM change detection automates “spot the difference,” creating a trusted digital twin that keeps designs and field reality aligned using a single source of truth.

You’ll learn how to:

  • Quantify OpEx savings from automated comparison workflows.
  • Detect unauthorized equipment and structural issues instantly.
  • Integrate insights into systems like Sitetracker for automated workflows.
 
11:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 
Category: Reducing Network OPEX with AI, Automation, and Network Security
 

Why do most AI initiatives stall in “pilot purgatory” while pressure to deliver results keeps rising?

Service providers are expected to transform with AI—but many struggle to move beyond experiments to measurable business impact. This session shares Highline’s real-world journey turning small, low-risk AI experiments into scalable wins that drive loyalty, reduce churn, and expand margins.

Learn how to:

  • Apply a repeatable framework to move AI from pilot to production.
  • Use automation to scale capacity and improve fulfillment speed.
  • Shift AI from cost-cutting to subscriber experience and revenue growth.
 
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
Will Zhou

What if 5G can transform your existing wired networks?

With its mature ecosystem of chipsets, devices, and advanced transmission techniques, 5G offers untapped potential to enhance performance over mediums like coaxial cable. Yet most networks still treat wired and wireless as separate worlds.

This session explores how applying 5G technologies to wired infrastructure can drive convergence, improve throughput, and enhance visibility into user experience.

 Learn how to:

  • Understand key 5G transmission fundamentals beyond wireless.
  • Identify where wired networks can benefit from 5G innovations.
  • Apply these concepts to build more efficient, converged networks.
 
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
 
Category: Technology-Neutral Deployment Strategies for Converging Networks
David Rottmayer

What if your network design optimized fiber, wireless, or hybrid networks?

Rural and suburban deployments are often slowed by fragmented workflows, inconsistent field conditions, and rigid, technology-specific approaches. This session introduces a field-proven, technology-neutral framework to simplify design, reduce costs, and future-proof your network.

Learn how to:

  • Apply unified OSP design principles across fiber, wireless, and hybrid systems.
  • Navigate real-world constraints in rural and suburban environments.
  • Leverage clear upgrade paths and cost-efficient strategies.
 
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM