TFI Technology Conference Jan 23-24, 2020

We hope you can join us for our 15th Annual TFI Technology Conference, Jan 23-24, 2020, in beautiful downtown Austin, Texas. Once again industry leaders and professionals will gather to share the latest trends and developments impacting communications and asset valuation. 
We are currently working on the schedule and inviting keynotes, speakers, and panels for our 2020 TFI Technology Conference, so be sure to visit this page often for updates! 
To give you an idea of the breadth and quality of our program, below is information from our 2019 TFI Technology Conference.

2019 -- 14th Annual TFI Technology Conference 
Main Theme: 5G and its Business and Valuation Implications
Iain Gillott, wireless expert extraordinaire, returns to TFI for the fourth time. This time Iain will lead us through a deeper look into this technology and its impacts on broadband, cable, video, and other asset-intensive industries. He will be joined by other wireless experts, including Dr. Robert Heath, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin.

Our policy keynote this year is former FCC commissioner Mignon Clyburn who will address key topics relevant to communications infrastructure such as broadband deployment, network neutrality, spectrum allocation, and telephony service obligations.For 2019, we are re-introducing tax and valuation-specific segments to the conference to reinforce the relevance of technology change to asset valuation. We hope you’ll join your colleagues in what promises to be another interesting and important event!

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 TFI Technology Conference Printable PDF Brochure.

2019 Conference Sponsors 
Thank you to the sponsors of our 14th Annual TFI Technology Conference:• Costquest
• Duff & Phelps
• Assessment Valuation Advisors (Jeff Binkley's new firm)
• Maura's Voice -- Special Sponsor

2020 Sponsorships Available: Contact TFI about Sponsorships

2019 Keynotes and Conference Speakers (List of 2020 Speakers will be added soon)
To give you an idea of the quality of our conference speakers, below is the list of our 2019 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

2019 Conference Schedule (Check back for 2020 schedule)
To give you an idea of the schedule for our program, below is the 2019 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 (Early bird $895)
Assessor/Academic/Government* Rate: $95 (Early bird $85)
*Special rate for assessors, government, or academia
[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]
                                     Start the year 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. We have a limited block of guest rooms available at the special rate of $239 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.