2026 CalCom Annual Conference & Expo

September 28–30, 2026
DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento
2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA 95815

Connected for California: Innovation, Resilience and Collaboration

California’s communications industry keeps businesses operating, emergency responders informed, families connected and communities moving forward.

Join broadband providers, telecommunications leaders, technology partners, policymakers and industry professionals for three days of practical conversations, new connections and ideas shaping the future of connectivity across California.

Explore broadband and fiber innovation, smarter networks, cybersecurity, emergency communications, rural connectivity, funding, workforce development and the policies affecting providers statewide.

Book Your Hotel Room by September 4

Stay where the conversations happen.

DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento
2001 Point West Way, Sacramento, CA 95815

The special CalCom hotel room rate ends Friday, September 4, 2026.
Availability is limited, so reserve your room early.

Featured Keynote: Derrin Horton

Tuesday, September 29 | 9:30–10:30 a.m.

We’re excited to welcome broadcaster, speaker and storyteller Derrin Horton as the featured keynote speaker for CalCom 2026.

Derrin has built his career connecting with audiences, sharing powerful stories and bringing unforgettable moments to life. But behind every live broadcast, breaking news update and shared experience is something essential: the communications infrastructure that makes it possible.

From broadcasting and public safety to healthcare, education and business, today’s industries depend on reliable networks to keep people informed, connected and moving forward.

Derrin will bring his signature energy and perspective to an inspiring conversation about communication, leadership and the extraordinary reach of an industry that touches nearly every part of modern life.

Fun facts about Derrin:

• He once played Shaquille O’Neal one-on-one—and actually led during the game.
• He has covered virtually every major championship in American sports, including the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Final Four and College Football Championship.
• He has hosted the Los Angeles Marathon for more than a decade.
• His passion for voice-over work and play-by-play broadcasting led him to voice his first Super Bowl commercial.

Why Attend?

Learn what’s next. Explore emerging technologies, regulatory changes and funding issues affecting California communications providers.

Find practical solutions. Hear directly from experts addressing network reliability, emergency preparedness, cybersecurity, customer growth and workforce challenges.

Make valuable connections. Meet providers, vendors, policymakers and partners working to keep California communities connected.

Discover new opportunities. Visit the Expo Hall, participate in focused discussions and build relationships that extend beyond the conference.

For Exhibitors

Showcase your technology and solutions directly to the providers who build, operate and invest in California’s communications networks.

For Sponsors

Put your brand in front of industry leaders through conference sessions, receptions, networking events, the scholarship raffle and Cal Karaoke.

For Vendors and Solution Providers

Connect with operations, technology and management teams seeking practical solutions for deployment, reliability, cybersecurity and customer growth.

Conference Agenda

Agenda subject to change.

Monday, September 28

10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | Conference Registration and Exhibitor Setup
Check in, pick up conference materials, and prepare for the Expo.

4:00–5:00 p.m. | CalCom Board of Directors Meeting
Board members only.

6:00–10:00 p.m. | Opening Night Kick-Off with Casino & Cal-Karaoke!
Kick off CalCom 2026 with an evening of casino games, karaoke, and networking with fellow communications professionals and industry partners.

Tuesday, September 29

7:30–8:00 a.m. | Final Exhibitor Setup

8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | CalCom Expo Hall
Explore new technologies, meet industry vendors, and connect with companies helping California’s communications providers improve network performance, resiliency, and customer experience.

8:00–8:20 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks: Connected for California
Hear from CalCom leadership and get an overview of the issues shaping California’s communications industry.

Greg Andreas, General Manager - Ponderosa Telephone

8:30–9:15 a.m. | The changing policy and political landscape: forecast for the next Administration and Freshman Class in the State Legislature

Audra Hartmann, Partner - Public Policy Advocates
Pamela Loomis, Principal - Loomis Advocacy Solutions

9:30–10:30 a.m. | Featured Keynote: Derrin Horton, The Human Side of Connection
Broadcaster, speaker, and storyteller Derrin Horton explores communication, leadership, and the connections linking the communications industry with media, public safety, education, business, healthcare, and nearly every part of modern life.

Derrin Horton, Broadcaster, speaker and storyteller

10:30–10:45 a.m. | Expo Hall Networking Break

10:45–11:45 a.m. | Emergency Communications and Infrastructure Resiliency Panel When California Needs Connection Most
Explore how broadband providers, public agencies, utilities, and emergency-response partners can work together before, during, and after wildfires, severe weather, outages, and other emergencies

Greg Jones, Assistant General Manager - Nevada Irrigation District
Ben Anderson, Director, Product Adoption & Data - NRTC

11:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. | Networking Luncheon
Connect with fellow attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and industry partners.

12:45–1:30 p.m. | Rural Provider Business and Funding Session CAF, ICC and the Revenue Questions Rural Providers Cannot Ignore
A practical discussion of Connect America Fund and intercarrier compensation issues, changing reimbursement models, and what providers should consider as funding structures evolve.

Sara Yocum, CFO - CalTel (formerly Calaveras Telephone)
Evelyn Jerden, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Dynamics - LICT Corporation
Derrick Owens, Senior Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs - WTA — Advocates for Rural Broadband

1:30–2:15 p.m. | Understanding the DDoS Landscape for Service Provider Networks
Attendees will gain insights into strategies for strengthening network defenses, minimizing disruption, and protecting customers as threats continue to evolve.

Chick Kennedy, Director of Sales - NRTC
Ben Anderson, Director, Product Adoption & Data - NRTC

2:15–2:45 p.m. | Expo Hall Break and Silent Auction
Visit exhibitors, make new connections, and participate in the conference silent auction.

2:45–3:30 p.m. | Technical Track: AI, Automation and Smarter Network Operations
Learn how providers are approaching network monitoring, automation, cybersecurity, troubleshooting, customer support, and practical applications of artificial intelligence.

Bradley Peteron, RSP Solutions Engineering - Calix

3:30–3:45 p.m. | Break

3:45–4:45 p.m. | Legislative and Regulatory Panel Sacramento, Washington D.C., and What Comes Next
Examine state and federal policy developments, regulatory issues, broadband funding, permitting, affordability, and what they mean for California’s independent providers.

Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh - 19th District - California State Senate
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner - District 77 - California State Assembly

4:45 PM - 5:45 PM | Associates Cocktail Hour

4:30–6:00 p.m. | Exhibitor Teardown

5:45–10:00 p.m. | Broadband, Boots and BBQ!
Continue the conversation with an evening of food, refreshments, entertainment, and networking with CalCom members, sponsors, exhibitors, and industry partners.

Wednesday, Sep 30, 2026

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. | Mimosas & Bloody Mary Morning Mixer

8:05 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. | CalCom Annual Meeting (Telco Members Only)

9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Leadership and Policy Session What Changes to the Universal Service Fund (USF) Mean for Local Exchange Carriers (LECs)

Chad Duval, Principal, Broadband, Utilities & Communications - Baker Tilly

11:00 a.m. | Wrap Up and Q & A

Greg Andreas, General Manager - Ponderosa Telephone

11:30 a.m. | To Go Box Lunch