The SHLB Coalition is soliciting speaking proposals for its annual AnchorNets conference, taking place from Oct. 2-4 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel in Crystal City, VA.
AnchorNets is the foremost broadband policy event in the Washington, DC area, convening federal and state broadband policymakers, regulatory officials, anchor institutions, national and community-based non-profit organizations, and industry leaders. AnchorNets fosters an open dialogue on broadband issues impacting anchor institutions and their communities, providing invaluable insights and networking over two and a half days.
Speaking at AnchorNets 2024 provides a valued platform for thought leaders to contribute insights and shape the dialogue around critical broadband policy issues.
We are soliciting 2024 speaking proposals on the following topics:
- E-rate program
- Federal Broadband Funding Programs
- Anchor institutions connecting their communities
- Digital equity and inclusion
- Telehealth and broadband
- Rural Health Care program
- State broadband planning efforts
- Broadband deployment issues and models
- Wireless broadband
- Future of the Universal Service Fund
- Higher Education and broadband
- New research on broadband deployment, policies, funding, etc.
We are accepting proposals for any of the following three speaking options:
- Break-out Sessions: These are one-hour sessions featuring a panel of speakers on a specific topic. Proposals should identify a moderator and up to 3 speakers, a session title, and a brief description of the session. Anchor speakers are encouraged. We anticipate 16 breakout sessions.
- Plenary Addresses: Plenaries, or keynotes, are exclusive 15-30 minute speaking slots reserved for policymakers and anchor institution leaders. The plenary format can vary to include a stand-alone presentation or a fireside chat format. Please submit the speaker's name/title, a brief description of the format and content of the presentation.
- Anchors Rock! Showcase sessions. Showcase sessions are 12-minute case studies or project stories with up to two speakers. Proposals should feature projects, initiatives, programs, and partnerships that support and advance broadband connectivity and adoption goals in their communities. We are especially interested in stories that involve anchor institutions (and how they Rock!) although that is not required. Presentation examples from our two 2023 showcases can be found here and here.
To submit your proposal, please fill out the form below. The call for proposals closes on COB, April 11, 2024.
To complete your submission, you will need to:
- Designate break-out sessions, showcase or plenary
- Provide working title and description of the session
- Name co-presenters
- upload a bio and head shots for at least one speaker, but all speakers if possible.
Planning and Logistics
Break-out sessions and plenaries convene primarily on Oct. 3 and 4. The Anchors Rock! Showcase is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 2.
All speakers are encouraged to attend as much of the conference as possible. Speakers staying for the full conference receive a substantial discount off the standard registration rate. These contributions make SHLB’s Annual Conference possible.
AnchorNets will be held on Oct. 2-4, 2024 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Crystal City, VA. The hotel is a short cab ride from Reagan National Airport. SHLB has reserved a block of rooms at a special conference rate (to be announced).
Important Dates
- February 29, 2024 - Call for proposals opens
- April 11, 2024 - Deadline for submitting proposals
- May 11, 2024 - SHLB Staff will begin to notify speakers of selection
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Rachuba at lrachuba@shlb.org.
You are welcome to submit separate proposals for different session types.