2026 Winter Conference
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, Kauai
January 25 - 28, 2026
Welcome
Join ATA in January to get updates on the telecom industry in Alaska. Information including schedule outline, lodging, and sponsorships opportunities are listed below.
Online registration is available through January 15th, via the blue button below. If you have additional questions, give us a call at 907-563-4000. We look forward to seeing you under the sun!
Program
Schedule
An outline of the event is below, which will assist you in planning your travel and lodging.
Sunday, Jan 25: Welcome Reunion/Reception (4pm - 5:30pm)
Monday, Jan 26: General Sessions (9am - 3pm) and Flip Flop Soiree (4:30pm - 6pm)
Tuesday, Jan 27: Wake-up Breakfast (8:30am - 9:30am) and General Sessions (10am - 3pm)
Wednesday, Jan 28: ATA Board Meeting (10am) and Closing Banquet (6pm - 10pm)
Below are sessions that have been confirmed for the conference.
- Alaska Broadband Office Update: Thomas Lochner, ABO
- Alaska Legislative Session Forecast and Governor’s Race: Kris Knauss, Confluence Strategies
- SHLB Coalition Update: Joey Wender, SHLB Coalition
- Federal Partners Panel Discussion: Makenzie Novak, NTCA; Derrick Owens, WTA;
- FAA Modernization: TBD
- Economic Update: Jeff Johnston, CoBank
- Alaska IXC Update: Tom Simes, Alaska Communications
- River Fiber Study Progress Report: Mark Ayers, Ayers Telecom Consulting
- Resilient, interoperable LEO connectivity to accelerate telco growth: Bill Baldwin, Telesat
- State of Broadband in Hawaii: Jason Thune, Hawaiian Telecom
- Unlocking Alaska’s Economic Future Through Telecommunications Technology Panel Discussion: Gary Agron, New Horizons; Demian Voiles, MTA; Vickie Kelley, SES Space & Defense
LODGING
The ATA Winter Conference will be hosted at the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu, along the southern coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Group rooms and rates are offered January 21 - 31, 2026. The special group rate may be booked three days pre and post of these dates, based on availability. Studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom villas are available to reserve. The prices online will include a $40 resort fee. However, this will be reduced to $29 for ATA attendees.
Guests may cancel guaranteed reservations without penalty until 11:59 p.m. hotel time seven (7) days before arrival date. The cutoff date to book is December 19, 2025.
Update: 12/01/2025 - The room block has sold out. We are unable to secure additional rooms within the room block.
If you already have a reservation that you need to cancel, please call Shari at 907-563-4000 before cancelling. There is a waitlist for rooms. We can transfer your reservation to someone else. Many thanks!
Alaska Telecom Association events are made possible by our generous sponsors. Sponsorships are a great way to increase your company’s exposure and to connect with current and potential customers. Please consider a sponsorship package for Winter Conference 2026. With your support, ATA can continue to share current industry information, build coalitions and advocate on behalf of industry in Alaska. Not sure which level is right for you or have some other ideas? Contact Shari Showalter at (907) 563–4000 or showalter@alaskatel.org. We can work together to build an appropriate package to effectively deliver your marketing message!