Workshop: Texas Broadband Summit
Workshop: Texas Broadband Summit
SPONSOR
PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP: JUNE 5, 2012
Connected Texas Broadband Summit: Every Community Online
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
1 pm – 5 pm
Gaylord Texan Hotel
1501 Gaylord Trail, Dallas, TX 76051
About the Summit: Connected Texas is partnering with the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) to present Texas’ premiere Broadband Summit designed to engage, educate, and equip technology providers and Texas communities with the resources and partnerships necessary to improve broadband access, adoption, and use. During the summit, participants will gain a better understanding of the ways Texas broadband providers are investing to improve connectivity, programs available to improve digital literacy, status on federal programs and policy changes, as well as case studies of local efforts to increase rural broadband adoption and access.
This event is free, and all Summit attendees receive complimentary passes to the AT&T Opening Reception, Exhibit Floor, Educational Programming and Keynotes.
In Texas, nearly 1 million households with children still are not using the Internet, even though they have access. More than 38% of Texans are still not connected to high-speed Internet at home, even though they could be. The Number One reason people give for not being connected to broadband is, "I don't need it or don't know why I need it." Lack of digital literacy and the digital divide remain real issues in Texas. This summit is for anyone who want to address those issues. Don't miss this opportunity to grow broadband access, adoption and use in your community! Sign up for this free Summit and get connected!
Agenda
12:00 pm: Registration Opens (Outside the San Antonio Room 4, 5, 6)
Participant registration will take place one hour ahead of the conference. Participants will receive summit resources and general logistics information.
1:00 pm Summit Welcome (San Antonio Room 4, 5, 6)
Don Shirley, Connected Texas, will welcome participants to the first annual Connected Texas Broadband Summit. He will provide an overview of the summit and highlight the goals and agenda.
1:30 pm Summit Keynote
Connected Texas is excited to welcome Todd Staples, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture, as the summit keynote. Commissioner Staples will discuss the importance in Texas’ investment in broadband technology as well as opportunities to improve citizen adoption.
2:00 pm Broadband Hero Award
Connected Texas will honor a Texan who has shown outstanding commitment to access, adoption, and/or use of broadband.
2:15 pm Understanding the Broadband Landscape
Connected Texas staff will highlight and discuss current broadband mapping and availability across the state. The presentation will provide an overview for the Availability Panel.
2:30 pm Availability Panel
Rick Rhodes, Administrator for Office of Rural Affairs Trade and Business, will moderate a panel discussion by broadband providers across the state. Panelists will have the opportunity to discuss how their companies are investing in communities across the state.
3:30 pm Showcasing Broadband Adoption and Usage
Connected Texas staff will highlight and discuss recent research regarding broadband adoption and usage in Texas. The presentation will provide an overview for the Digital Literacy Panel.
3:45 pm Adoption and Digital Literacy Panel
Panelists from across the state will showcase how they are using broadband technology and applications in innovative ways.
4:45 pm Next Steps
Don Shirley, Connected Texas, will highlight the next steps for Connected Texas, summit participants, and communities.
5:00 pm TIA 2012: Inside the Network Reception, Sponsored by AT&T
Connected Texas Broadband Summit participants are invited to attend the TIA reception at the opening of the TIA 2012 Exhibit Floor, sponsored by AT&T, at no charge.
To attend, summit participants must be registered for TIA 2012 & use code CNAT12
