Built for Our Members. Driven by Their Needs.

November 3, 12:30 PM – November 5, 12:00 PM | Marriott Resort, Myrtle Beach Grande Dunes

Join a member-driven, partner-powered, and future-focused gathering of rural broadband providers, telecoms and technology partners. The STAR Conference goes beyond inspiration—it’s designed to equip you with actionable insights, peer-driven strategies, and real-world solutions.

Agenda

Monday, November 3
 
12:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Registration Opens

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

High Tide Connections: Partner Showcase and Happy Hour

Tuesday, November 4
 
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

Conference Kick-off

Derrick Mottern, President, CSSA
8:45AM - 9:00 AM

The Future with CSSA

Roger Perlsen, VP of Operations and Business Development, CSSA
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Keynote: I Talk to Losers – Tackling Tough Conversations, Accountability, and Feedback

Jen Mueller, Founder, Talk Sporty to Me

We’re thrilled to welcome Jen Mueller - founder of the leadership and communication company Talk Sporty to Me and longtime sideline reporter for the Seattle Seahawks. Jen delivers a fresh perspective on communication, leadership, and teamwork, sharing real life lessons from the sidelines that will leave you energized and ready to make an impact.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Partner Showcase

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

From Insight to Impact: AI for Service Providers

Alan DiCicco, Vice President, Solution & Product Marketing, Calix

The rapid rise and continuous evolution of AI is promising to redefine operational efficiency and create new customer experiences, impacting every aspect of broadband service delivery. AI technology is cool and astounding, but AI adoption is not about technology – is it people and business transformation that will require changes to executive decision-making and leadership approaches. This session will explore insights from across the broadband service provider community and how leaders are adapting strategies, evolving mindsets, and driving innovation to engage teams and measure the impact in an AI-powered future.

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

Lunch and Partner Showcase

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Track 1
Forum – Future-Ready Networks: Building the Plant of Tomorrow
Track 2
From Out of Reach to Within Your Hands - Transforming Mobile for Rural Communities

AJ Saccacio, Senior Director - Channel Sales, Comtrend

Imagine having the power to extend your brand’s reach, seamlessly, competitively, and with the type of local touch only you can provide. Comtrend’s new mobile initiative, LaunchMyMVNO (powered by OXIO), unlocks opportunities previously out of reach for rural and regional providers. The game is changing, and the door is open to participate in a new era of connectivity, on your terms.  With no new infrastructure required and the flexibility to scale as your subscriber base grows, LaunchMyMVNO transforms mobile into an achievable and profitable next step for your organization. Grow revenue, strengthen customer loyalty, and differentiate in the market, all while keeping control in your hands.

2:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Partner Showcase

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Track 1
Get Ahead with Outdoor WiFi: Deliver What Competitors Can't, and Members Will Love

Mark Wohlers, Business Account Manager, Consolidated Business Services

Track 2
From Calls to Clicks: Driving Customer Experience and Business Growth with Mitel CX

Eva Maciejewska, Channel Account Manager, Mitel

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how organizations manage customer service and deliver exceptional experiences. With the Mitel CX platform, AI capabilities are no longer experimental — they are practical, deployable tools that deliver measurable results in both operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
From Data to Decisions: Reporting & Analytics That Drive Results

Eric Barnett, Sr. Manager – Training & Analytics Charlie Mouy, Reporting Analyst, Consolidated Business Services

WiFi 7 is Here: Elevating the Subscriber Experience with Next-Gen Connectivity

Andrew Cuellar, Sales Engineer, Zyxel

WiFi 7 isn’t just about faster speeds — it’s a major upgrade in how wireless networks perform. With new technology that allows devices to use multiple connections at once, wider channels for more data, and smarter signal handling, WiFi 7 delivers smoother, more reliable performance.

5:30 PM

Transportation to the Event

Meet in the Lobby

6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Barefoot Queen Riverboat Excursion (see below)

Wednesday, November 5
 
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Networking Breakfast

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Track 1
MDUs Done Right: Partnering with Building Owners for Long-Term Success

Matt Allison, OSP Engineering Supervisor, Consolidated Business Services

Track 2
WiFi Without Limits: Unlocking WiFi 7

Sean Montgomery, Director of Sales Engineers, TP-Link

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Break

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
G2 Wireless BEAD Solution: Delivering Scalable Broadband Where Fiber Can't Go

Tarana

Completing the Small Business Puzzle

Sangoma

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Transforming Communication: Solutions that Drive Business Forward

HP Poly

How to Build and Future Proof Your Network

Nokia

11:15 AM - 12:00 PM

Closing Session/Prize Drawings

From high-level strategy to boots-on-the-ground execution, STAR delivers the insights you need—right when you’re planning for 2026 and beyond.

Join Us for a Riverboat Cruise Aboard the Barefoot Queen

November 4 | 6:30–8:30 PM

Join fellow STAR attendees for a fun evening aboard the Barefoot Queen, a classic riverboat cruise along the scenic Intracoastal Waterway. You’ll enjoy dinner, drinks, live entertainment, and stunning views as you relax and connect outside the conference setting. We’ll shuttle everyone to the dock—just bring your conference badge and a sense of adventure.

Be sure to select this option during registration to reserve your spot!