The SHLB Coalition is soliciting speaking proposals for its annual AnchorNets conference, taking place from Oct. 29-31, 2025 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 2025 provides a valued platform for thought leaders to contribute insights and shape the dialogue around critical broadband policy issues.
We are soliciting 2025 speaking proposals on the following topics:
- AI and broadband policy
- Anchor institutions connecting their communities
- Broadband deployment issues and models
- Cybersecurity
- Digital opportunity and inclusion
- E-rate program
- Federal Broadband Funding Programs
- Future of the Universal Service Fund
- Higher Education and broadband
- New research on broadband deployment, policies, funding, etc.
- Rural Health Care program
- Spectrum policy
- State broadband implementation
- Telehealth and broadband
- Wireless, fixed wireless, and satellite broadband
We are accepting proposals for any of the following four 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 18 breakout sessions.
- Workshop Sessions: Workshops are 1.5 hour sessions that explore a certain topic in more detail. Workshops are designed to be interactive and encourage participation from all attendees. Workshops begin with opening presenters to kick off the discussion. Instead of a panel of speakers on a stage, workshop participants all sit at the same level.
- Plenary Addresses: Plenaries, or keynotes, are exclusive 30 minute speaking slots reserved for senior 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 2025 showcase can be found here.
To submit your proposal, please fill out the form below. The call for proposals closes on COB, April 11, 2025.
To complete your submission, you will need to:
- Designate whether the proposal is for a break-out session, showcase or plenary
- Provide working title and description of the session. Please keep the session description to no more than 300 words.
- Name co-presenters
- Upload a bio for at least one speaker, but all speakers if possible.
Planning and Logistics
Break-out sessions and plenaries convene primarily on Oct. 30 and 31. The Anchors Rock! Showcase is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Oct. 29.
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. 29-31, 2025 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
- March 10, 2025 - Call for proposals opens
- April 11, 2025 - Deadline for submitting proposals
- May, 2025 - 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.