Yearly independent exhibition strives for 'higher achievements'
The National Content & Technology Cooperative (NCTC) and ACA Connects have announced the dates and themes for their upcoming events, aimed at empowering independent broadband, video, and voice service providers.
The 20th annual Independent Show, themed "Reach New Heights," will take place from Aug. 10-13, 2025, at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The event will focus on driving incremental revenue, innovating for the future, and deepening collaboration among service provider members.
NCTC CEO Lou Borrelli stated that the show aims to deliver actionable ideas to meet the moment and accelerate growth for its members. Key initiatives at the show include NCTC’s turnkey solutions for launching mobile services, bundling with Broadband TV, and insights from its AI Center of Excellence.
Attendees can expect expert-led panels, dynamic speakers, and interactive sessions on topics such as programming, streaming, customer retention strategies, broadband innovation, mobile launch strategies, AI applications, legal and financial readiness for AI adoption, the shifting regulatory and broadband funding landscape, workplace culture, and talent development, and strategic business growth through NCTC partnerships.
Marci Rossell, former Chief Economist for CNBC, will deliver a keynote address discussing the impact of inflation, tariffs, and funding uncertainty on consumers for broadband and video providers. Craig Moffett, founding partner at MoffettNathanson, will provide insights on fiber, FWA, video market shifts, and the major mobile opportunity in his keynote speech. Evan Shapiro, Emmy-winning media cartographer, will discuss media and tech disruption and how they are redefining competition and convergence in his keynote speech.
The Independent Show will also feature the ACA Connects Summit, which will take place in Washington, D.C. on March 5, 2026. ACA Connects president and CEO Grant Spellmeyer stated that the organization will lead discussions on the major regulatory shifts shaping broadband and telecom policy. ACA Connects will provide information to help members navigate the regulatory landscape, including the Federal Communications Commission's deregulatory push, updates to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, state-level rate regulations, and potential reforms to the Universal Service Fund (USF).
In addition to the main event, the Independent Show will also offer an Aug. 9 preshow event for the Marketing Innovators Group (NCTC members only). This event will offer an interactive workshop with expert sessions on maximizing ROI and customer engagement, including sessions by Shawna Suckow, Melinda Russell, Susie Tomenchok, and a Q&A with leading broadband providers and fiber innovators.
The Winter Educational Conference will take place Feb. 16-18, 2026, in Las Vegas at the M Hotel. The Independent Show will take place July 26-29, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. The event's signature evening events include a themed welcome party, an off-site adventure at Utah Olympic Park featuring the Flying Aces and Olympic medalist Shannon Bahrke.
For more information about the Independent Show, visit https://www.nctconline.org/. For more information about ACA Connects, visit www.acaconnects.org.
In summary, the events aim to empower independent broadband, video, and voice service providers through innovation, policy advocacy, and collaborative strategies to meet evolving industry demands and consumer needs.
- The Independent Show, themed "Reach New Heights," will feature turnkey solutions for launching mobile services, bundling with Broadband TV, and insights from the AI Center of Excellence.
- At the 2025 event, attendees can expect sessions on HD video streaming, customer retention strategies, mobile launch strategies, AI applications, and the regulatory landscape.
- The ACA Connects Summit, taking place in 2026, will delve into major regulatory shifts shaping broadband and telecom policy, including the Federal Communications Commission's deregulatory push and updates to the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
- Marci Rossell, former Chief Economist for CNBC, will discuss inflation, tariffs, and funding uncertainty's impact on consumers for broadband and video providers at the 2025 show, while Craig Moffett, founding partner at MoffettNathanson, will provide insights on fiber, FWA, video market shifts, and the major mobile opportunity.
- The Winter Educational Conference will offer expert sessions on maximizing ROI and customer engagement, featuring Shawna Suckow, Melinda Russell, Susie Tomenchok, and a Q&A with leading broadband providers and fiber innovators. The Finance, Business, and Technology sectors are all intertwined in these events.
