The 5th Annual Georgia Broadband Summit is coming to Warner Robins this July 16, 2024. Collaboration is key, and this year's Summit will connect local leaders, ISPs and other partners to explore potential partnerships and learn from each other's experiences. You won’t want to miss this year’s program - reserve your spot today!
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REGISTER HERE
The 2024 Georgia Broadband Summit, hosted by the Georgia Municipal Association, aims to connect local government leaders and partners to address a variety of broadband needs in their communities. This year’s event will take place as the Georgia Technology Authority prepares to roll out billions in BEAD infrastructure and digital connectivity funding. The Summit will bring city and county officials together with key stakeholders for a day of networking and exploring partnerships for successful, community-driven broadband programs. Hear from GMA's CEO and Executive Director Larry Hanson about why your city should attend this year's Summit:
Program
Join us for three interactive panel discussions and more:
- Building Successful Partnerships for Broadband: The buildout of broadband infrastructure, especially to the most unserved areas, cannot be done alone. Local governments, ISPs, nonprofits, community anchor institutions and other entities must work together to bring communities online and connect residents and businesses to the digital economy. This panel will address what is at stake for Georgia this year with $1.3 billion in BEAD funding, how communities can engage in successful partnerships and how to strategically plan for the deployment and utilization of broadband.
- What can ISPs do for you?: Most if not all of us have experiences with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), but consumer relations are much different than governmental relations. This panel will feature representatives from several ISPs to discuss what they are doing to meet the BEAD requirements and how they can help successfully implement broadband networks in your community. Attendees will learn what makes for a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.
- Creating Digital Connectivity for All: Building broadband networks is one thing; ensuring the benefits of broadband connectivity fully materialize is another. The impact and success of BEAD implementation will be limited if communities do not also address the digital divide that leaves many Georgians still unable to afford or utilize high-speed Internet available in their area. Listen to our panelists discuss funding opportunities to close digital connectivity gaps in Georgia and approaches to improving digital literacy skills and ensuring equitable access.
Panels will feature local officials who have been a part of successful broadband partnerships to talk about how they made it work, who was involved, where funding came from and other elements of success.
Confirmed Speakers:
- Greg Boike, Middle Georgia Regional Commission
- Mary Beth Brownlee, One Valdosta-Lowndes
- Alexandra Campos Castillo, Georgia City Solutions, Georgia Municipal Association
- Oneisha Freeman, Georgia Technology Authority
- Alex Johnson, National Telecommunications and Information Administration
- Shannon Legree, US Department of Agriculture
- Jessica Simmons, Georgia Technology Authority
- Kenneth Sumpter, City of Fort Gaines, GA; Empower Southwest Georgia
- Takiyah J. Thomas, Clayton County
- Wade Yoder, Peach County Board of Commissioners
- Representatives from AT&T, Charter Communications and Conexon
Logistics
- Date and Time: Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 10:30 am - 2:15 pm. Doors open at 10:00 am.
- Venue: Warner Robins Parks & Recreation Center located at 900 N Houston Road, Warner Robins, GA, 31903
- Cost: There is a registration fee of $25, including for each guest. Lunch is included for all participants.
- Contact: Claire Chan, Research and Policy Analysis Manager, GMA
Presenting Sponsor
Event Sponsors
Please note this GMA event is for local elected and appointed officials, GMA invited guests, and paying sponsors only. For information about sponsoring, please reach out to Darin Jenkins.