TIA’s Connectivity Jam will Produce Answers to Biggest Challenges in IoT, Wireless Infrastructure and Next-Gen Network Operations

Contributors Include Leaders from AT&T, CenturyLink, Disney, Fox, Imagine, Microsoft, Nest, ONEMedia, Panasonic, Verizon, Viacom, Vonage

Arlington, VA (April 27, 2017) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, today announced featured speakers and events for its Connectivity Jam, a new interactive and outcomes-focused executive conference taking place June 5-7 in Dallas, TX.

In a departure from traditional shows and conferences, executives from across the information and communications technology (ICT) ecosystem will “jam together” in facilitated conversations, delivering tangible next steps to accelerate connectivity. Their charge is to contribute to a post-event Outcomes Report produced by TIA’s analyst partner IDC. The report will focus on “Transforming  Wireless and Connectivity Infrastructure,” “Operating Next-Gen Networks” and “Connecting the Internet Of Things.”

TIA’s Connectivity Jam will also include several special activities, including a Smart Communities Breakfast and TIA’s Annual Startup Competition (May 1^st deadline to enter; details below).

Media interested in attending should contact Farrah Ahamad at farrahahamad@rational360.com or 202.684.3273. Attendee information and registration is available here.

Keynotes with diverse perspectives on connectivity will kickstart the discussions. This will include a panel of media and entertainment industry executives who will debate the future of TV and the impact of streamed media and video on connectivity infrastructure requirements, business models, government policies and operational challenges:

Bob De Haven; General Manager, Worldwide Communications and Media – Microsoft

Richard Friedel; EVP & GM – Fox Networks Engineering & Operations

Kevin Gage; EVP, Strategic Development & CTO – One Media

David Kline; CTO – Viacom

Charlie Vogt; CEO – Imagine Communications

Brad Wall; SVP, Network Operations – Disney/ABC Television Group

Global business strategist, Dr. Tassu Shervani, Professor of the Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, will address how demographic and technology drivers are converging to reshape work, workers, firms, marketplaces and networks.

Don Szczepaniak, Executive Vice President of Panasonic Enterprise Solutions Sensory Solutions Group, will explore the business outlook for connecting and deploying the Internet of Things.

Contributors to the Jam include:

151 Advisors – Steve Brumer, Partner

Accenture – Jugal Sharma, Strategist, Thought Leadership, Digital/IoT/Mobility

Acommence Advisors – Pete DeNagy, Managing Principal/President

AT&T – Mobeen Khan, AVP, Product Marketing Management; Chris Smith, VP, Global Technology Office (AT&T Business Solutions)

Beyond Machine to Machine Communications – Nadine Manjaro, Founder

CenturyLink – Tim Doolittle, Director, IP Network and Systems

City of Kansas City, MO – Kate Garman, Innovation Analyst

CMG – Andres Carvallo, Founder and CEO

Compass Intelligence – Stephanie Atkinson, Founder & CEO

Florida Atlantic University’s I-SENSE – Jason Hallstrom, Director

Gensler – Tom Milavec, Senior Digital Strategist

IDC – Carrie MacGillivray, VP, Mobility & IoT; Ghassan Abdo, Research VP; John Jackson; Research VP, Mobile & Connected Platforms

MMTC – Maurita Coley Flippin, Esq., EVP and COO; Rikin Thakker, Ph.D., VP of Telecommunications and Spectrum Policy

Motorola Solutions – Christine Rapala, VP, Integrated Command & Control Solutions

Nest Labs Inc (An Alphabet Company) – Sumit Mittal, Enterprise Business Development

NexStar Partners – Ketan Patel, Managing Director

OpenTechWorks – Adam Drobot, Chairman

Panasonic Automotive Systems of America – Hakan Kostepen, ED, Product Planning Strategy & Innovation

SAP – Christoph Inauen, VP, Strategic Partnership and Solution Portfolio, IoT

SDN Essentials – Chuck Black, Senior SDN Instructor

Siris Capital – Rod Randall, Executive Partner

SmartMark Communications – Juliet Shavit, CEO

TAP Growth Group – Bob Azzi, Managing Partner

Verizon – Nancy Green, Global Practice Lead, Healthcare & Life Sciences

Vonage – Graham McGonigal, Senior VP of Networks; Tim Trottier, Senior Director of Network Operations

Among the special events will be a Smart Communities Breakfast, which will feature a timely discussion with city mayors, council members and CIOs from communities at different stages of digitization. The diverse group of participants will discuss what they are trying to achieve, frustrations, needs, paths to forward growth, and best practices.

This event also marks the 5^th TIA ICT Startup Challenge, where ICT companies introduce new products and services that will build the next generation of communications networks and new platforms and applications that will take advantage of increased connectivity.

Applications are still being considered – companies interested in competing in this year’s Startup Challenge can learn more here.

The full schedule for TIA’s Connectivity Jam is available here.