Join us in exciting downtown Austin for the top conference for communications technology professionals. Technologies covered include Wireless, Broadband & Video, Artificial Intelligence, and Augmented and Virtual Reality. Now in its thirteenth year, the TFI conference unites industry, consultants, and government with leading experts in the technologies that are revolutionizing the industry and impacting the values of communication assets. Come for of learning, sharing, and networking!

• See Schedule and list of Keynotes and Speakers below.

Gain Background, Insights, and Forecasts:

• Wireless Communications, including 5G and HetNets
• Broadband & Video, including Gigabit networks and OTT
• Network Technologies, such as SDN/NFV
• Cutting-edge technologies including:
  * Artificial Intelligence
  * Virtual Reality
  * Augmented Reality

Stay Relevant and Timely:

• High level review of top communications trends
• Informative presentations on key technologies
• Illuminating discussions of current and emerging issues facing the communications industry
• Important insights on the impact of these changes on asset valuation
• Multiple opportunities to connect and reconnect with community and thought-leaders

You Should Attend If:

• You have a business or policy interest in the communications network's future, or
• You are involved with the valuation of communications assets, or
• You are impacted by changes in the telecom, wireless, and cable television networks, or
• You are active in the IoT, AI, VR or other up and coming communication technologies, and
• You value learning, sharing, and collaborating with industry leaders and professionals
  
  

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Conference Sponsors
Special thanks to our Sponsors, AUS, Costquest, and Deloitte.

Additional 2018 Sponsorships Available!

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Keynotes:

Jeffrey Andrews, Cullen Trust Professor of Electrical & Computer Engineering,
University of Texas at Austin
"5G and the Promise and Perils of Ultradensification"

We welcome back Professor Andrews as our 2018 Wireless Keynote. His previous engagements at TFI in 2011 and 2014 are among our most memorable and popular.

In addition to his keynote, Professor Andrews will also discuss New Radio (the first 5G physical layer standard) and update us on what's new in the cellular and WiFi community looking forward.

Mohammed Ali, Chief Architect, Austin VR Lab
"Augmented Reality: Status, Applications, and Prospects"
Live VR Demos using Smart Phones
Special Bonus: TFI is gifting all attendees with Top-of-the-Line Vive Headsets for all attendees

In case you haven’t heard, Austin is a hotbed for Virtual and Augmented Reality. We are excited have one of its leaders, Austin AR Lab, collaborating with us. Yes it's for "Real!"

Special Guest:

Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.)
Wireless Industry Fireside Chat with hosts Gary Wiggins, AT&T and Stephen Yergeau, T-Mobile

Last year Iain returned as our 2017 Wireless Keynote to awesome reviews. We are extremely happy to have him back in 2018!

Conference Director:

Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI
"TFI Overview"
"Forecasting Artificial Intelligence"
"TFI Broadband/Video/Wireless Forecast Update" with Ray Hodges
"The Education Technology Revolution" with Augie Grant

Guest Speakers:

Dub Dublin, CEO, Dublinvention LLC
"Artificial Intelligence as a Commodity"

August (Augie) Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications,
University of South Carolina; Co-Editor, Communications Technology Update and Fundamentals
"The Big Media Shuffle: Is Bigger Better?"
"The Education Technology Revolution"with Larry Vanston

Carl Hoemke, CEO, Co-Founder, crowdREAS
"Artificial Intelligence Tax Applications"

Ruben Miranda, Director, Tax Services, Duff & Phelps
"Broadband Spectrum Pricing"

Mike Wilson, Vice President of Sales and Consulting, CostQuest, CostQuest
"Communications Public Policy Issues Review"

Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, Technology Futures, Inc.
"TFI Broadband/Video/Wireless Forecast Update" with Larry Vanston

Jeffrey Binkley, Advisory Director, Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, Deloitte
Broadband Industry Panel Moderator

Christian Altenburger, Senior Manager Property Tax, Comcast
Broadband Industry Panel

Claire Chase, Property Tax Manager, Centurylink
Broadband Industry Panel

Carrie Vanston, Executive & Energy Leadership Coach, Corporate Cultures That Rock
"Leveling Up Your Leadership Energy"

Gary Wiggins, ASA, CAE, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T
Wireless Industry Fireside Chat, Co-Host

Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile
Wireless Industry Fireside Chat, Co-Host

TFI Staff:

Helen Mary Marek, VP Operations & Creative Director, Technology Futures, Inc.
Conference Liaison

Past attendees include those from:

• Communications Policy

• Finance, Asset Valuation and Property Tax

• Strategic Forecasting

• Market Strategy

• Network Planning

• Legal and Regulatory

• Depreciation and Asset Lives

• New Technology Startups and Developers
  

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Some of Our Previous Attendees

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What Attendees Say

"Great program... information is timely and program ties together well. Good for attendees with various background and interests. I highly recommend it." ―Jeffery S. Binkley, Director, Deloitte

"...a unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI." ―Robert G. Strong, Tax Director, AT&T

"Practical information from industry insiders provided me insight I haven't found anywhere else." ―Augie Grant, Professor, University of South Carolina

"Great conference as always! Too many excellent speakers to list. Particularly remember 5G presentation."
―Dmitriy Matsyshen, Sr. Tax Manager, T-Mobile

"5 Stars! Informative sessions with dedicated speakers."
―Paul Tucker, Independent Appraiser

"Nice update on technology. ..."
―Charles Burkhardt, Senior Consultant, CostQuest

"Great range of topics & speakers that were both fascinating and provocative." ―Jim Dombrowski, Property Tax Manager, Verizon

"Based on TFI's knowledge, skills and experience, I strongly recommend this conference to anyone who is involved in assessing telecommunications equipment or anyone involved with telecommunications in some form or another." ―Raul Reyes, Business Personal Property Supervisor, Dallas Central Appraisal District

"...Proper valuation must take into account technological externalities that will diminish the value of the existing assets. The technological innovations are having a such an impact that keeping up is essential. This conference keeps me up to date."
―Roger Grabowski, Managing Director, Duff & Phelps

"Great conference for all of those who want an update on trends in the communications industry and the technologies impacting it. As an academic, I found it especially valuable in providing me ideas of what I need to be looking out for in my own areas of interest.
―Kim Houser, Business Law Professor, Washington State University

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Conference Schedule:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

6:15–7:15 pm Pre-Conference Reception Meet & Greet, Rooftop

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018
Conference Day One Begins, Rio Grande Ballroom

8:30 am Introductions and Welcome/TFI Overview
- Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

8:40 am Forecasting Artificial Intelligence
- Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI

9:20 am Artificial Intelligence as a Commodity
- Dub Dublin, CEO, Dublinvention LLC

9:50 am Break

10:05 am Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain – Application and Uses for Tax Professionals - Carl Hoemke, CEO, Co-Founder, crowdREASON

11:05 am Break

WIRELESS

11:20 am Keynote: 5G and the Promise and Perils of Ultradensification
- Jeffrey Andrews, Cullen Trust Professor of Electrical & Computer
Engineering, WNCG, University of Texas at Austin

12:20 pm Discussion and Q&A

12:30 pm Lunch Break, Gatehouse

1:15 pm Wireless Industry Fireside Chat

- Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.) Special Guest
-Co-Hosts:
- Gary Wiggins, AT&T
- Stephen Yergeau, T-Mobile

2:05 pm Break

AUGMENTED REALITY & VIRTUAL REALITY

2:15 pm Keynote: “Augmented Reality: Status, Applications, and Prospects”
- Mohammed Ali, Chief Architect, Austin VR Lab

3:00 pm Virtual Reality Demo - Austin VR Lab - Groups 1-3

6:00 pm Day Ends

6:15 pm Conference Reception – Rooftop

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018
Conference Day Two, Rio Grande Ballroom

BROADBAND & VIDEO

8:30 am TFI Broadband/Video/Wireless Forecast Update
- Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI

8:50 am The Big Media Shuffle: Is Bigger Better?
- August (Augie) Grant, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass
Communications, University of South Carolina; Co-Editor,
Communications Technology Update and Fundamentals

9:30 am The Education Technology Revolution
- August (Augie) Grant, Professor, University of South Carolina

9:50 am Break

10:05 am Broadband Spectrum Pricing
- Ruben Miranda, Duff & Phelps

10:35 am Communications Public Policy Issues Review
- Mike Wilson, Vice President of Sales and Consulting, CostQuest

11:05 am Break

11:20 am Broadband Industry Panel
- Jeffrey Binkley, Deloitte (Moderator)
- Christian Altenburger, Comcast
- Claire Chase, Property Tax Manager, Centurylink

12:20 pm Concluding Remarks

12:30 pm Break

12:35 pm Box Lunch Presentation and Discussion - Leveling Up Your Leadership Energy
- Carrie Vanston, Executive & Energy Leadership Coach, Corporate Cultures That Rock

1:25 pm Conference Ends

To give you an idea of the quality of our keynotes, speakers, and panelists, view our January 2017 TFI Conference Schedule, Slides, Videos, Photos & Bios

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Registration Information:

Click here or see "Tickets" at Top of Page

General Admission: $995)

Assessor/Academic/Government Rate: $295.00*

*Special rate for assessors, government, or academia

[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]

Start 2018 with the latest knowledge and insights on

the key forces impacting your organization!

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Venue: Courtyard Marriott Downtown

Location/Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 300 E. 4th Street., Austin, TX, 512-236-8008 or 844-473-3959. Our special guest room rate has expired, but you can call the Marriott at 844-473-3959 or go through Marriott.com to check availability. Please book guest rooms directly through the Marriott hotel -- bookings through third party companies don't count toward our guaranteed room count.

The hotel is in walking distance to Austin's best live music venues and restaurants and near the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas, and other popular Austin sites. This is a non-smoking facility with complimentary high-speed Internet and wireless access throughout the hotel. (photo source: Marriott)

For more information about Austin, please visit Austin 360 or Austin Chamber of Commerce.

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Contact:

Please contact Helen Mary Marek, at hmvmarek@tfi.com or call us at (512) 258-8898 with any questions regarding the conference.