Join us in exciting downtown Austin for the top technology conference for communications and valuation professionals. In its thirteenth year, the TFI conference unites industry, consultants, and government with experts in the technologies that are revolutionizing the industry and impacting the values of communication assets.

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 like IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, and Vehicular Automation

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
• You value learning, sharing, and collaborating with industry leaders and professionals
  
  

---

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

Additional 2018 Sponsorships Available!

---

Keynote

Mohammed Ali, Chief Architect, Austin VR Lab
"Augmented Reality: Status, Applications, and Prospects"

In case you haven’t heard, Austin is a hotbed for Virtual and Augmented Reality. We are excited to announce the one of its leaders, Austin AR Lab, is collaborating with us on our TFI Communications Technology Conference. Yes it's for "Real!" Live Demos and a Keynote.

Mohammed Ali is a Keynote and we'll have Live VR Demos using Smart Phones and Top-of-the-Line Vive Headsets. Special bonus: Everyone takes Home a Austin VR Lab Custom Smart Phone Headset! We are in for a treat, so be prepared for fun and enlightenment.

We are currently working on a great speaker lineup for 2018! Please revisit this page for updates!

TFI Team

Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI, Conference Director

Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

Carrie Vanston, Lead, Corporate Cultures that Rock

Helen Mary Marek, VP Operations & Creative Director, TFI

---

2018 Prelimiary Schedule

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2018

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2018

8:30 am Conference Day One Begins, Rio Grande Ballroom
12:30 pm BBQ Lunch Break, Gatehouse
5:30 pm Day One Ends
5:45–7 pm Conference Reception – Rooftop

FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018

8:30 am Conference Day Two Begins, Rio Grande Ballroom
12:15 pm Concluding Remarks
12:30 pm Box Lunch Presentation and Discussion
1:20 pm Conference End

View January 2017 TFI Conference Schedule, Slides, Videos, Photos & Bios

---

Registration Information

Click here or see "Tickets" at Top of Page

General Admission
Early Bird $895 (After December 15, 2016: $995)

Assessor/Academic/Government Rate*
Early Bird $265.00 (After December 15, 2016: $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!

---

JANUARY 2017 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

We are working on a great speaker lineup for 2018! To give you an idea of the quality of our keynotes, speakers, and panelists, below are videos and speaker bios from the January 2017 TFI Conference.

2017 Introductions and Welcome/TFI Overview Video
The New Transformative Technologies Video
– Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI

Communication Technology Update Video
– August Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism & Mass Communications,
University of South Carolina

Virtual and Augmented Reality (Games, Shows, and Apps) A Short Film by TFI Video

New Broadband/Video Markets, Impacts, and Bandwidth Point/Counterpoint — Video
– August Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism & Mass Comm, University of SC
– Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI

2017 TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES THOUGHTLEADER:
An Interview with Byron Reese, Publisher of Gigaom — Video
– Byron Reese, Author, Futurist, Entrepreneur, Technologist
CEO/Publisher, Gigaom; CEO, Knowingly
– Carrie Vanston, Leader, Corporate Cultures that Rock (Interviewer)

2017 WIRELESS KEYNOTE: From Here to 5G Video
– Iain Gillott, President & Founder, iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.)

2017 Wireless Industry Panel — Video
– Gary Wiggins, Executive Director – Property Tax, AT&T
– Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile “Our 5G Future” video link
– David Schneider, Manager, Ernst & Young Contractor for Sprint
– Jim Dombrowski, Manager Property Tax, Verizon

The Afterlife: Recycling and Reuse of Old IT & Communications Equipment Video
– Michael Harbert, Manager of Business Development, ECS

2017 TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES KEYNOTE:
Computer Vision – Welcome Our Newest Consumer of Video and Bandwidth! Video
– Kristen Grauman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Computer Science,
University of Texas at Austin

TFI Broadband/Wireless/Video Forecast Update Video
– Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI
– Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

The Post Millennials and their Impact on Communications Video
– Anne Boysen, President & Founder, After the Millennials

IoT Security or Lack Thereof ― Constraint or Showstopper? Video
SDN/NFV: Tutorial, Insights, and Impacts Video
– Dub Dublin, CEO, Dublinvention LLC

2017 Broadband Industry Panel & Communications Industry Current Affairs Discussion — Video
– Jeff Binkley, Advisory Director, Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, Deloitte
– Robert Strong, Tax Director, AT&T
– Steven Ingram, Manager, Property Tax, CenturyLink “Power to Connect” video link
– Christian Altenburger, Manager, Property Tax, Comcast
– Joel Rubensohn, Senior Tax Manager, Cox Enterprises
– Jim Dombrowski, Manager, Property Tax, Verizon

Box Lunch Presentation -- Connections That Count Video
– Carrie Vanston, Lead, Corporate Cultures that Rock

January 2017 TFI Conference Slides & Videos and Photos

---

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
  
  

---

Some of Our Previous Attendees

---

What Attendees Say

Past 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

---

Venue: Courtyard Marriott Downtown

Location/Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 300 E. 4th Street., Austin, TX, 512-236-8008 or 800-321-2211. We have a limited block of guest rooms. Book now at the special TFI room rate of $229 per night.

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.

---

Contact

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