Connect (X) 2021 Highlights

WIA wrapped up its 2021 Connect (X) show today in Orlando. The conference was packed with informative keynotes and sessions, exciting exhibits and plenty of opportunities for networking and catching up with wireless infrastructure industry colleagues. It was great to get together again!

See below for highlights from the show!

WIA President and CEO Jonathan Adelstein kicked off the conference with humor and grace!

We are coming to you LIVE from Orlando! Our general session is underway and @WIAorg‘s own Jonathan Adelstein welcomed everyone back to Connect (X) with humor & grace…while recognizing the tremendous impact the past year has had on our industry. #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/vLnWy5oTkK

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

WIA’s popular annual View from the Top session returned to the stage.

View From the Top made it’s return to Connect (X) this morning! Moderated by @WIAorg President & CEO Jonathan Adelstein with our board members from Vertical Bridge, @CrownCastle, @sbasite & @AmericanTowerUS

Sponsored by @NBC_Wireless #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/yLDOAikpVh

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 6, 2021

 

Day 3 here at @ConnectX_USA is in full swing!

It was great to hear from Jonathan Adelstein of @WIAorg on “The View From The Top.” Always such a great talk about the issues facing our industry today!#feelsafeinside #connectx21 pic.twitter.com/BA2ZsTeMAf

— Safer Buildings Coalition (@SaferBuildings) October 6, 2021

T-Mobile’s Neville Ray provided provided an update on the carrier’s plans.

.@WIAorg has been a tremendous partner in modernizing @TMobile’s network so it was an honor to keynote #ConnectX21 and share how we’re working towards #5GForAll! Thanks for having me @ConnectX_USA 🙌 https://t.co/tm7xCHLelh

— Neville (@NevilleRay) October 5, 2021

Dish Network’s Dave Mayo gave attendees a peak behind the curtain in how it is building a network from scratch.

Starting off strong today with a keynote from Dave Mayo @dish talking about the challenges of architecting DISH’s wireless buildout strategy.

Don’t miss a minute of the content live from Orlando! Join us online with a Digital Access Pass: https://t.co/PSc7ZEAyqa #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/ekiu3mOg5Y

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 6, 2021

Full room to listen @dish, Dave Mayo! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/bza6RZ8ZeX

— Vico! Telecom 5G LTE CBRS WISP OpenRAN Fiber (@vfiorese_) October 6, 2021

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr shared regulatory insights.

Excellent keynote address by @FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr on Extending America’s 5G Leadership at @ConnectX_USA last night. @WBKLaw was a proud sponsor of this keynote session with Managing Partner Bryan Tramont handling introduction duties! #NotJustAnotherLawFirm #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/yc931phaPY

— Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP (@WBKLaw) October 6, 2021

Halo’s Anand Nandakumar wowed attendees with details of connected vehicle possibilities.

Did you miss the keynote presentation from @kumi360 at @halocar_ earlier today? All of our keynote & general session content is available with our digital access pass. Visit: https://t.co/rVTVQLHaIQ to enjoy the rest of his presentation on autonomous vehicles! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/vmqusoaNlk

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

AT&T’s Mo Katibeh talked connectivity during Tuesday’s general sessions.

@ATT‘s Mo Katibeh took the stage a few moments ago to fill in fellow industry experts about the latest information regarding the bigger picture of #connectivity. #ConnectX21 content is available with our digital access pass: https://t.co/pm4wr5sFaJ pic.twitter.com/LClpV8iPmr

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

A great keynote speech here @ConnectX_USA by @MoKatibeh from @ATT! Our leadership team is here through Wednesday, hit us up to connect!#feelsafeinside #connectx21 pic.twitter.com/XLNxBsvUaH

— Safer Buildings Coalition (@SaferBuildings) October 5, 2021

Amazon Web Service’s Robin Harwani talked about the future of 5G.

Another great keynote presentation at Connect (X) this morning from Robin Harwani at @awscloud sharing how they plan to remap & reimagine 5G networks! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/85SyssRbDv

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 6, 2021

Linksys’ Harry Dewhirst talked about pandemic impacts during a fireside chat.

Many of our keynote speakers are touching on the impact the pandemic made on our industry, including this reflection from Harry Dewhirst @Linksys.

All of our keynote speeches are available online with a Digital Access Pass. Join us at: https://t.co/whekVMsWCL #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/xbOYGp4L6s

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

Verizon’s Dennis Ong provided a glimpse into the future of cars.

Our final keynote speaker at Connect (X) 2021 was Dennis Ong from @Verizon talking about the future of C-V2X (cellular vehicle-to-everything). Did you miss it live? Snag your Digital Access Pass and listen on-demand: https://t.co/3y3ydGnRBi #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/NMacMBTuOC

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 6, 2021

Members of minority & diversity chambers discussed the benefits of working together in wireless.

Ready for #ConnectX21 to discuss how minority & diversity chambers can be accelerators of broadband 5G outreach and deployment! 📶@USHCC @usblackchambers @NGLCC @USPAACC pic.twitter.com/tT6gLj4VH1

— USPAACC (@USPAACC) October 6, 2021

Susan Au Allen, USPAACC National President & CEO, Anand Nandakumar @kumi360, Founder & CEO of Halo, and @RikinThakker, CTO of the @WIAorg at @ConnectX_USA, North America’s largest conference and trade show in the Connectivity sector. #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/CmIbeFQJmX

— USPAACC (@USPAACC) October 5, 2021

Attendees rocked out at the Music Movement Charity Concert!

Huge thanks to everyone who came out to last night’s Music Movement charity concert! The party doesn’t stop though…there are FOUR networking receptions on the schedule tonight! 💃🎉 Don’t miss a moment of the action: https://t.co/WmL3IsLr1k #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/S4OM6dIamb

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 6, 2021

Numerous sessions educated attendees on the state of the wireless infrastructure industry.

The #ConnectX21 panel of RWA network operators moderated by RWA General Counsel Carri Bennet was uniquely informative AND fun. An unusual combination to pull off, especially when it comes to the realities of the reimbursement process! @tweetdtc @PineBeltTalk @PTCI @WBD_US pic.twitter.com/RnjqLaHqPb

— RWA (@RWAwireless) October 6, 2021

My colleague George Malkin is leading the panel What 5G Means For In-Building Connectivity. Hard to imagine more relevant topic. Participation from @CBRE, @ADRFTECH, Connectivity Wireless and Belden.#connectx21 pic.twitter.com/9NuqtWfyDV

— John K. Bramfeld (@johnbramfeld) October 5, 2021

Lots of cool things to see on the exhibit floor!

The exhibit hall was buzzing today! Thanks to all of our in-person attendees, exhibitors, sponsors & partners for making today such a huge success! We can’t wait to see everyone again tomorrow! #ConnectX21 @WIAorg pic.twitter.com/zd7zrD7mfD

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

A huge thank you to Florida Representative Geraldine Thompson for stopping by the Connect (X) show floor earlier today! (Seen here with @WIAorg‘s own Jonathan Adelstein) #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/MBDDQiSEkD

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

It was great seeing Gary Love, District Secretary to Florida House Representative Geraldine Thompson at @ConnectX_USA. If you are attending Connect (X), stop by booth 616 and visit us! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/dwJYMJ1Zp3

— Skill Demand Energy (@SkillDemand) October 5, 2021

And of course, fun in the sun!

Last night’s Launch Party was 🎉 🔥! Thanks to our sponsors @AmericanTower, @CrownCastle,@JacobsConnects, @sbasite, @TMobile & Vertical Bridge for making it happen! #ConnectX21 @WIAorg pic.twitter.com/IaGcx0P5wm

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 5, 2021

Tee time anyone? ⛳The Annual @WIAorg Golf Tournament kicked off this morning at the gorgeous @HawksGolf course here in Orlando on this gorgeous sunny day! Share your photos with us! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/t8vBiM9rLS

— Connectx_usa (@ConnectX_USA) October 4, 2021

Thanks for a great show!

It was so great spending the week with @WIAorg and not being the only broadband nerd in the room. Thanks for a great conference! #ConnectX21 pic.twitter.com/PnInEaGM43

— Lukas Pietrzak 🎃 (@Ltpietrzak) October 6, 2021

Hello, Orlando! Loving our week with @wiaorg for @connectx_usa!#liveevents #connectx21 #imageav pic.twitter.com/RoqhsEUze6

— Image Audiovisuals (@imageav) October 6, 2021

Day 2 of #ConnectX21 is on the way!@AriaServices pic.twitter.com/YR564lYabw

— Irsan (@dbooch8) October 5, 2021

Really good attendance at ⁦@WIAorg⁩ #ConnectX21 here in Orlando. I’m hearing attendance here is just 10% lower than attendance of 2019.

Masks required when walking around and vaccine or negative test and temp check required at registration. Signs say no handshakes pic.twitter.com/vTaPuPOcXE

— Mike Dano (@mikeddano) October 5, 2021