12th Annual

TFI Asset Valuation Conference Logo

TFI Communications Technology
& Asset Valuation Conference

January 26-27, 2017

Courtyard Marriott Downtown, Austin, Texas


2016 Videos, Pictures, and Slides from the January 2016 conference

Overview Speakers Schedule Registration and Venue

Join us in exciting downtown Austin for the top technology conference for communications and valuation professionals. In its twelfth 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, Cognitive Computing, Fast Data, 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:

  • Strong policy or business interest in the communications network's future
  • Work in the tax, depreciation, and/or valuation area
  • Impacted by telecom, wireless, and cable television networks major asset changes
  • Value learning, sharing, and collaborating

Dates & Times:

Wednesday, January 25

  • Pre-Conference Reception: 6:15 - 7:15 pm 
    Hosted by CostQuest

Thursday, January 26 

  • Conference Sessions: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm 
  • Reception, 5:45 - 7:00 pm 

Friday, Januaray 27

  • Conference Sessions: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Box Lunch Discussion 12:30 - 1:20 pm


Keynotes, Speakers, and Panelists

KEYNOTE Iain GillottPresident and Founder of iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.) 

Wireless"From Here to 5G"

Iain Gillott, IGR    

KEYNOTEKristen Grauman, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at Austin 

Transformative Technologies: "Computer Vision - Welcome Our Newest Consumer of Video and Bandwidth!"

Kristen Grauman, University of Texas

THOUGHT LEADER: Byron ReeseAuthor, Futurist, Entrepreneur, and Technologist; 
CEO/Publisher, Gigaom; CEO, Knowingly. 

Transformative Technologies: "An Interview with Byron Reese, Publisher of Gigaom"  

Byron Reese, Futurist, Entreprneur, Technologist

All attendees will receive a copy of Byron's book Infinite Progress

Infinite Progress book cover by Byron Reese

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR: Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., President, TFI

"The New Transformative Technologies"
"TFI Broadband/Video Forecast Update"
"New Broadband/Video Markets, Impacts, and Bandwidth Point/Counterpoint"

Lawrence Vanston, PhD., Conference Director, President, TFI

 

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Anne BoysenPresident & Founder, After the Millennials

"The Post Millennials and their Impact on Communications"

Anne Boyen, After the Millenials


Dub DublinCEO, Dublinvention LLC 

"IoT Security or Lack Thereof--Constraint or Showstopper?" 
"SDN/NFV: Tutorial, Insights, and Impacts" 

Dub Dubllin, CEO Dublinvention

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

"New Broadband/Video Markets, Impacts, and Bandwidth Point/Counterpoint"

August Grant, PhD, Professor, University of South Carolina

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

Carrie Vanston, Lead, Corporate Cultures that Rock
"Connections That Count" 

Carrie Vanston, TFI, Corporate Cultures That Rock

Special Feature: "Virtual and Augmented Reality: Games, Shows, and Apps"
A Short Film by TFI


WIRELESS INDUSTRY PANEL

Gary WigginsExecutive Director - Property Tax, AT&T

Stephen YergeauDirector, Property Taxes, T-Mobile

David Schneider, Manager, Ernst & Young Contractor for Sprint

Jim Dombrowski, Manager Property Tax, Verizon

Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI: "TFI Wireless Forecast Update"

Wireless Panel - TFI Conference Jan 2017

BROADBAND INDUSTRY PANEL & "Communications Industry Current Affairs

Jeff BinkleyAdvisory Director, Transactions and Business Analytics LLP, Deloitte 

Christian AltenburgerManager, Property Tax, Comcast

Joel RubensohnSenior Tax Manager, Cox Enterprises 

Robert StrongTax Director, AT&T

Jim DombrowskiManager, Property Tax, Verizon

Steven IngramManager, Property Tax, CenturyLink  

Broadband Panel -- TFI Conference Jan 2017

   

CONFERENCE LIASON:                  
– 
Helen Mary Marek, VP Operations & Creative Director, Technology Futures, Inc.



Schedule

2017 TFI Communications Technology & Asset Valuation Conference 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2017

6:15–7:15 pm Pre-Conference Reception Meet & Greet -- Hosted by CostQuest
                  
Gatehouse

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017

8:30 am      Introductions and Welcome / TFI Overview

8:50 am      The New Transformative Technologies
                 – Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., Conference Director, President, TFI

9:10 am      Communication Technology Update
                 – August Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism & Mass                   Communications,  University of South Carolina

9:45 am       Break

10:00 am    Virtual and Augmented Reality (Games, Shows, and Apps)
                  A Short Film by TFI

10:30 am    New Broadband/Video Markets, Impacts, and Bandwidth                      Point/Counterpoint
                 – August Grant, Ph.D., Professor, School of Journalism & Mass                    Comm, University of SC
                 – Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., Conference Director, President, TFI

11:00 am     Break

11:15 am     TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES THOUGHTLEADER:
                  An Interview with Byron Reese, Publisher of Gigaom 
                 – Byron Reese, Author, Futurist, Entrepreneur, Technologist 
                   CEO/Publisher, Gigaom; CEO, Knowingly

                 – Carrie Vanston, Leader, Corporate Cultures that Rock (Interviewer)

12:15 pm    Discussion and Q&A

12:30 pm    Lunch Break

1:30 pm      WIRELESS KEYNOTE: From Here to 5G
                 – Iain Gillott, President & Founder, iGR (iGillottResearch, Inc.)

2:30 pm     Discussion and Q&A

2:45 pm     Break

3:00 pm     Wireless Industry Panel
                – Gary Wiggins, Executive Director - Property Tax, AT&T
                – Jim Dombrowski, Manager Property Tax, Verizon
                – David Schneider, Manager, Ernst & Young Contractor for Sprint
                – Stephen Yergeau, Director, Property Taxes, T-Mobile

4:00 pm     Break

4:15 pm     The Afterlife: Recycling and Reuse of Old IT & Communications                     Equipment
                
– Michael Harbert, Manager of Business Development, ECS

4:30 pm     TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGIES KEYNOTE: Computer Vision -                     Welcome Our Newest Consumer of Video and Bandwidth!
                – Kristen Grauman, Ph.D., Assocociate Professor, Dept. of Computer
                Science, University of Texas at Austin

5:30 pm      Day End

5:45–7:00 pm   Conference Reception – Gatehouse


FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2017

8:30 am      TFI Broadband/Wireless/Video Forecast Update
                 – Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., Conference Director, President, TFI
                 – Ray Hodges, Senior Consultant, TFI

8:50 am      The Post Millennials and their Impact on Communications
                 – Anne Boysen, President & Founder, After the Millennials

9:20 am      IoT Security or Lack Thereof Constraint or Showstopper? 
                 – Dub Dublin, CEO, Dublinvention LLC

9:40 am      Break

9:55 am      SDN/NFV: Tutorial, Insights, and Impacts 
                 – Dub Dublin, CEO, Dublinvention LLC

10:35 am    Discussion and Q&A

10:45 am   Break

11:00 am   Broadband Industry Panel & Communications Industry Current                    Affairs Discussion
              – Christian Altenburger, Manager, Property Tax, Comcast
              – Jeff Binkley, Advisory Director, Transactions and Business
                 Analytics LLP, Deloitte 

              – Joel Rubensohn, Senior Tax Manager, Cox Enterprises
              – Robert Strong, Tax Director, AT&T
              – Jim Dombrowski, Manager, Property Tax, Verizon
              – Steven Ingram, Manager, Property Tax, CenturyLink

12:15 pm    Concluding Remarks

12:25 pm    Break

12:30 pm    Box Lunch Presentation and Discussion
                 "Connections That Count"
                 – Carrie Vanston, Lead, Corporate Cultures that Rock

1:20 pm      Conference Ends


Conference Sponsors

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

2018 Sponsorships Available



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

"Thank you for putting on your seminars and conference. Although I have used various TFI tables over the years and read several of your publications, there is an additional and unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI. Through the questions, comments, and answers one hears the issue presented from a variety of perspectives and has the opportunity to put in one's own words their own comments and questions to see if they understand it or not, etc. One-on-one with the authors, the experts, a wonderful educational opportunity."
 Robert G. Strong, Tax Director, AT&T

"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 their annual Technology Futures Asset Valuation 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

"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

"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

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

"I found the insights on technology changes in-process and planned and their current and expected impact on replacement of assets most useful. 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


Venue

Location/Accommodations: Courtyard Marriott Downtown, 300 E. 4th Street., Austin, TX, 512-236-8008 or 800-321-2211. 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.


Registration Information --

General Admission: $995

Assessor/Academic/Government Rate*: $295.00 

*Special rate for assessors, government, or academia

[Substitution/Cancellation/Refunds/Inclement Weather Policy]


Please contact Helen Mary Marek at hmvmarek@tfi.com or call us at (800) 835-3887 or (512) 258-8898 with any questions regarding the conference.

Overview Speakers Schedule Registration and Venue

Archives:
2017 Conference -- 2016 Conference -- 2015 Conference -- 2014 Conference -- 2013 Conference

SPONSORS

TFI Asset Valuation Conference Sponsor, AUS Consultants Depreciation & Valuation Practice

TFI Asset Valuation Conference Sponsor, CostQuest Associates


TFI Asset Valuation Conference Sponsor, Deloitte

What Attendees Say

“... a unique learning experience to be had via the lectures and interaction with the audience and TFI."

Robert G. Strong,
Tax Director, AT&T


"Based on TFI's knowledge, skills and experience, I strongly recommend their annual Technology Futures Asset Valuation 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

"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

"… 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