Gain Background, Insights, and Forecasts:

• Wireless Communications, including 5G
• Broadband & Video, including Gigabit networks and OTT
• Network Technologies
• Cutting-edge technologies such as virtual and 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
  
  

2019 Conference Sponsors

TFI is pleased to announce our sponsors for the 14th Annual TFI Technology Conference in Austin, Jan 24-25, 2019:
• Costquest

• Duff & Phelps

• Assessment Valuation Advisors (Jeff Binkley's new firm)

• Maura's Voice -- Special Sponsor

2019 Sponsorships Available: Contact TFI about Sponsorships

2019 Keynotes and Conference Speakers

Mignon Clyburn, Former Commissioner, FCC

Great news! Former FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn will be our policy keynote. With the changes in Congress, January is a great time to talk about what’s in the air in Washington, especially as it involves communications infrastructure. Mignon will address topics such as infrastructure development, broadband deployment, network neutrality, spectrum allocation, and telephony service obligations. Having served as an FCC commissioner from August 2009 to June 2018, Mignon will provide us perspective on what to expect in these interesting times.

— • —

Robert Heath, Ph.D., Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

We are excited to announce that Dr. Heath, will lead the panel "Coloring in the 5G Triangle: Super High Bandwidth, Massive IoT, and Ultra High Reliability" with featured technology specialists in 5G delivery.

Professor Heath spoke to us in 2016 about millimeter wave technology and cars communicating. This year he will give a special Keynote presentation on his current research interests "Connected Aerial Vehicles and Machine Learning for Communications."

— • —

Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.)

We are pleased to have Iain joining us once again as our 2019 special Wireless Keynote Speaker. Iain joined us in 2018, 2017 and 2015 to awesome reviews. We are extremely happy to have him back in 2019!

Ian will be the moderator of the 5G Triangle Panel and will introduce our 2019 main theme: 5G and its Business and Valuation Implications, where we take a deeper look into 5G technology and its impacts on broadband, cable, video, and other asset-intensive industries.

— • —

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

— • —

Salam Akoum, Ph.D., Principal Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Labs

— • —

Jeffrey Binkley, Assessment Valuation Advisors

— • —

Randy Cook, Sales, Affirmed Networks

— • —

Robert Daniels, Ph.D., Vice President, PHAZR

— • —

Brian Goemmer, President, Allnet Insights & Analytics

— • —

August (Augie) Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications,
University of South Carolina; Co-Editor, Communications Technology Update and Fundamentals

— • —

Carl Hoemke, Partner, Valentiam

— • —

Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, Technology Futures, Inc.

— • —

Kim Houser, Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University

— • —

Ruben Miranda, Director, Tax Services, Duff & Phelps

— • —

John Reed, Sr. Director - Property Tax, Charter Communications

— • —

Jim Stegeman, CostQuest Associates, Inc.

— • —

Peggy Wardlaw, Founder, Wardlaw Appraisal Group, LC.

— • —

Gary Wiggins, ASA, CAE, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T

— • —

Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile

— • —

Carrie Vanston, The Energy Accelerator

— • —

TFI Staff:

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

Conference Schedule:

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019

6:15–7:15 pm - Pre-Conference Reception Meet & Greet - Sponsored by CostQuest -- Rooftop (Gatehouse if cold or rainy)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 (8:30 am - 6:00 pm - Conference Day One - Rio Grande Ballroom)

8:30 am Introductions and Welcome
• Lawrence Vanston, President, Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI)

8:45 am TFI Industry Forecast Overview
• Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI
• Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

9:45 am Break

5G WIRELESS

10:00 am 5G: The Big Picture
• Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR

10:45 am 5G Equipment: What on Earth does this Stuff Look Like?
• Robert Daniels, Vice President, PHAZR

11:00 am Break

11:15 am Coloring in the 5G Triangle: Super High Bandwidth, Massive IoT, and Ultra High Reliability
- Panel Discussion
• Robert Heath, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas
• Salam Akoum, Principal Member of Technical Staff, AT&T Labs
• Robert Daniels, Vice President, PHAZR
• Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR

12:30 pm Texas BBQ Lunch - Sponsored by Maura's Voice - Gatehouse

1:15 pm Wireless Futures Research -
Connected Aerial Vehicles and Machine Learning for Communications
• Robert Heath, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin

1:45 pm 5G Data Fast: Fiber Optics and Edge Computing - Panel discussion
• Randy Cook, Sales, Affirmed Networks
• Jim Stegeman, President, CostQuest Associates, Inc
• Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR (Moderator)

2:30 pm Break

2:45 pm The 5G Spectrum Puzzle
• Brian Goemmer, President, Allnet Insights & Analytics

3:15 pm The 4G to 5G Transition
• Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR

3:45 pm Wireless vs Wireline
• Lawrence Vanston, President, TFI
• Iain Gillott, President and Founder, iGR

4:00 pm Break

4:15 pm Why Does It Matter? And How? A Tax/Valuation Perspective I
• Ruben Miranda, Director, Tax Services, Duff & Phelps
• Gary Wiggins, Executive Director, Property Tax, AT&T
• Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile

5:00 pm The IRS and the Data Mess
• Kim Houser, Assistant Professor, Oklahoma State University

5:30 pm Day End

6:00 pm Conference Reception - Rooftop (Gatehouse if cold or rainy)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 (8:30 am - 1:30 pm - Conference Day Two - Rio Grande Ballroom)

BROADBAND & VIDEO

8:30 am Communications Technology Update
• August (Augie) Grant, Professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communications,
University of South Carolina; Co-Editor, Communications Technology Update and Fundamentals

9:15 am Fiber Deep: Broadband Industry Risks and Economics
• Jim Stegeman, President, CostQuest Associates, Inc.

10:00 am Break

10:15 am Policy Fireside Chat
• Mignon Clyburn, Former Commissioner, FCC
• Jim Stegeman, CostQuest Associates, Inc. (Moderator)

11:15 am Break

11:30 am Why Does It Matter? And How? A Tax/Valuation Perspective II
• Jeffrey Binkley, CEO, Assessment Valuation Advisors (Moderator)
• Carl Hoemke, Partner, Valentiam Group
• John Reed, Sr. Director - Property Tax, Charter Communications

12:15 pm Last Word: The Assessor Perspective
• Peggy Wardlaw, Founder, Wardlaw Appraisal Group, LC.

12:30 pm Break

12:35 pm Box Lunch Discussion - Rio Grande Ballroom
Getting out of the Aligator Pit and Moving Forward
• Carrie Vanston, The Energy Accelerator

1:25 pm Conference Ends

To give you an idea of the quality of our keynotes, speakers, and panelists, view our January 2018 TFI Conference Schedule, Slides, Videos, Bios & 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

• New Technology Startups and Developers
  

Some of Our Previous Attendees

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, CEO, Assessment Valuation Advisors

"...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

Registration Information:

Click here or see "Tickets" at Top of Page

General Registration: $995

Assessor/Academic/Government* Rate: $95

*Special rate for assessors, government, or academia

[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]

Start 2019 with the latest knowledge and insights on

the key forces impacting your organization!

Venue: Courtyard Marriott Downtown

Location/Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 300 E. 4th Street., Austin, TX, 512-236-8008 or 844-473-3959. Our special group rate/block of guest rooms has expired, but contact the Marriott at 844-473-3959 to see if they still have rooms available.

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.

Downloadable PDF Brochure
Note: Refer to webpage for most up-to-date information.