STAY RELEVANT – AND AHEAD IN A CHANGING MARKET
September 21, 3:00pm – September 23, 12:00 PM
Omni Hotel – Downtown Austin, Texas
Competition is increasing and pricing pressure is real. National providers, wireless carriers, and satellite are reshaping the market – but local, member-owned providers still have the advantage.
STAR 2026 is focused on turning that advantage into action – helping you stay ahead, better serve your members, and grow through new services, smarter strategies, and evolving capabilities.
Featuring Technology Leaders
Connect with leading technology partners including Calix, Voyant Solutions, HP Poly, Tarana Wireless, and many more – showcasing the latest solutions and innovations shaping the future of broadband.
Agenda
MONDAY (Opening Night) |
|
|---|---|
| 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Registration Opens |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM |
Turn It Up: Demo Lab & Welcome Reception Kick off STAR 2026 with an evening of connection, conversation, and discovery. Enjoy food and drinks while exploring partner solutions and engaging with peers in a relaxed, hands-on environment. |
TUESDAY (Day 1) |
General Session: |
| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM | Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM |
Opening Session: Welcome Derrick Mottern, President, CSSA |
| 9:00AM - 10:00 AM |
ReVisionary Thinking: The Science and Strategy of Adapting to Change Can you reach your goals, even if things aren’t going the way you expect? Most people (and organizations) are good at setting goals and making plans, but not very good at revising those plans when things change. But that’s the real work of resilience. Backed by Courtney’s data-driven research, ReVisionary Thinking offers concrete strategies for building “future readiness” and blazing a new path when the goalposts move on you. Courtney Clark, Bestselling Author, Resilience Strategist, and Acclaimed Speaker |
| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
Partner Spotlight: Soundcheck Sessions Quick. Focused. Informational. A fast-paced look at partner solutions, updates, and ideas - designed for easy discovery between sessions. |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Vesper Connect: Launch-Ready Communications Platform Discover how Vesper Connect, powered by Voyant Solutions, helps CSSA members move beyond legacy switching with a powerful, cloud-based business communications solution. Learn how to brand, launch and grow a turnkey offering designed for local businesses - without starting from scratch. Roger Perlsen, VP of Operations and Business Development, CSSA |
| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
Midday Mix: Demo Lab and Lunch An interactive deep dive. Explore partner solutions in a live environment, test capabilities, and engage directly with experts. |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
Business Insights: From Data to Decisions Traditional data can tell you what happened. The real value is knowing what to do next. Explore how AI and emerging tools can turn the data already within your network into actionable insights that support smarter decisions and sustainable growth. David Allen, Director, North America & CALA Channel - Calix |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
Adding a Mobile Service Isn't Optional Anymore Your subscribers are already being pitched a bundle by national wireless carriers and cable providers. Adding mobile is how you answer it. Learn how you can bundle back and win. Tea Salamone, Business Development Manager - Comtrend |
| 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
Afternoon Break |
| 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
Foundational Cybersecurity - Without Breaking Your Budget Explore practical, affordable ways to strengthen your cybersecurity foundation using open-source tools and proven frameworks like NIST CSF and CIS Controls. Learn how to better secure endpoints, domains and services while building a more effective cybersecurity program. Shira Dankner, Director of Security Services - NineStar Connect |
| 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM |
Powering Modern Networks Smarter Network Infrastructure with PoE Switching. Tri Nguyen, Market Development Manager - Zyxel |
| 6:15 PM |
Meet in the Lobby |
| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
Darwin's Piano Bar - Downtown Austin Food, drinks, and entertainment. |
WEDNESDAY (Day 2) |
General Session: |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM |
Partnering for Success: A KOA Case Study Join a panel discussion with CTI, Tarana Wireless, Calix, and CSSA as they share how their collaborative approach delivered a connectivity solution for West Glacier KOA Resort in Glacier National Park, along with lessons learned and insights from the project. David Allen, Director, North America & CALA Channel - Calix |
| 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM |
What’s New with HP Poly Edge V Explore the latest HP Poly innovations, including AI-powered audio, enhanced security, simplified deployment, and new productivity features designed for today’s business communications. Brian Yench, Poly Voice Solutions Architect – HP Poly |
| 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM |
The Open Sip Device Landscape is Changing Discover how Mitel’s Open SIP devices deliver the interoperability, reliability, security and value service providers need. Gain insight into evolving customer needs, buying trends and opportunities to grow your business. Eva Maciejewska, Channel Account Manager - Mitel |
| 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM |
Last Call: Partner Demo Lab Wrap Up Your last chance to connect with partners, revisit key solutions, and get final questions answered before the conference concludes. |
| 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM | Final Set: Closing Session / Prize Drawings |
MONDAY (Opening Night) |
|---|
| 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
Registration Opens |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM |
|
Turn It Up: Demo Lab & Welcome Reception Kick off STAR 2026 with an evening of connection, conversation, and discovery. Enjoy food and drinks while exploring partner solutions and engaging with peers in a relaxed, hands-on environment. |
TUESDAY (Day 1) General Session: |
| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM |
|
Opening Session: Welcome Derrick Mottern, President, CSSA |
| 9:00AM - 10:00 AM |
|
ReVisionary Thinking: The Science and Strategy of Adapting to Change Can you reach your goals, even if things aren’t going the way you expect? Most people (and organizations) are good at setting goals and making plans, but not very good at revising those plans when things change. But that’s the real work of resilience. Backed by Courtney’s data-driven research, ReVisionary Thinking offers concrete strategies for building “future readiness” and blazing a new path when the goalposts move on you. Courtney Clark, Bestselling Author, Resilience Strategist, and Acclaimed Speaker |
| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM |
|
Partner Spotlight: Soundcheck Sessions Quick. Focused. Informational. A fast-paced look at partner solutions, updates, and ideas - designed for easy discovery between sessions. |
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
|
Vesper Connect: Launch-Ready Communications Platform Discover how Vesper Connect, powered by Voyant Solutions, helps CSSA members move beyond legacy switching with a powerful, cloud-based business communications solution. Learn how to brand, launch and grow a turnkey offering designed for local businesses - without starting from scratch. Roger Perlsen, VP of Operations and Business Development, CSSA |
| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM |
|
Midday Mix: Demo Lab and Lunch An interactive deep dive. Explore partner solutions in a live environment, test capabilities, and engage directly with experts. |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
|
Business Insights: From Data to Decisions Traditional data can tell you what happened. The real value is knowing what to do next. Explore how AI and emerging tools can turn the data already within your network into actionable insights that support smarter decisions and sustainable growth. David Allen, Director, North America & CALA Channel - Calix |
| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
|
Adding a Mobile Service Isn't Optional Anymore Your subscribers are already being pitched a bundle by national wireless carriers and cable providers. Adding mobile is how you answer it. Learn how you can bundle back and win. Tea Salamone, Business Development Manager - Comtrend |
| 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM |
|
Afternoon Break |
| 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM |
|
Foundational Cybersecurity - Without Breaking Your Budget Explore practical, affordable ways to strengthen your cybersecurity foundation using open-source tools and proven frameworks like NIST CSF and CIS Controls. Learn how to better secure endpoints, domains and services while building a more effective cybersecurity program. Shira Dankner, Director of Security Services - NineStar Connect |
| 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM |
|
Powering Modern Networks Smarter Network Infrastructure with PoE Switching. Tri Nguyen, Market Development Manager - Zyxel |
| 6:15 PM |
|
Meet in the Lobby |
| 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM |
|
Darwin's Piano Bar - Downtown Austin Food, drinks, and entertainment. |
WEDNESDAY (Day 2) General Session: |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM |
Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM |
|
Partnering for Success: A KOA Case Study Join a panel discussion with CTI, Tarana Wireless, Calix, and CSSA as they share how their collaborative approach delivered a connectivity solution for West Glacier KOA Resort in Glacier National Park, along with lessons learned and insights from the project. David Allen, Director, North America & CALA Channel - Calix |
| 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM |
|
What’s New with HP Poly Edge V Explore the latest HP Poly innovations, including AI-powered audio, enhanced security, simplified deployment, and new productivity features designed for today’s business communications. Brian Yench, Poly Voice Solutions Architect – HP Poly |
| 9:30 AM - 10:15 AM |
|
The Open Sip Device Landscape is Changing Discover how Mitel’s Open SIP devices deliver the interoperability, reliability, security and value service providers need. Gain insight into evolving customer needs, buying trends and opportunities to grow your business. Eva Maciejewska, Channel Account Manager - Mitel |
| 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM |
|
Last Call: Partner Demo Lab Wrap Up Your last chance to connect with partners, revisit key solutions, and get final questions answered before the conference concludes. |
| 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM |
Final Set: Closing Session / Prize Drawings |
More Details Coming Soon
Additional speakers and experiences will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Join Us for an Evening at Punch Bowl Social
September 22 | 6:30–8:30 PM
Join fellow STAR attendees for a lively night at Punch Bowl Social in downtown Austin, featuring great food, drinks, bowling, karaoke, and games in a fun, laid back atmosphere – perfect for relaxing, connecting, and keeping the conversations going.
Be sure to select this option during registration to reserve your spot!
