Fiber Connect 25th Anniversary Gala
Step into the spotlight at the 25th Anniversary Fiber Connect Gala, a black-tie celebration of the people and innovations lighting up our industry. Enjoy a red-carpet welcome with passed hors d’oeuvres and drinks before an elegant dinner and live entertainment set the stage for our signature awards. We’ll close the evening with dueling pianos, giving you the perfect setting to toast 25 years of progress, partnership, and fiber-fueled vision.
25th Anniversary Gala Schedule – May 19th
- Red Carpet Welcome
- 6:30 – 7:00 pm Passed Hor D’oeuvres and Beer & Wine Bar
- 7:00 – 8:10 pm Welcome & Awards
- Accompanied with Dinner Service & Entertainment
- 8:10 pm Closing Remarks
- 8:15 – 10:00 pm Dessert Stations & Dueling Pianos
Tickets
Tickets are required to attend the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Gala and can be added during Fiber Connect 2026 registration.
2026 Fiber Broadband Association Awards
Chair’s Award
Honors an individual or company that shows exceptional effort to promote, educate, or accelerate fiber to the home.
Selection: No nominations. The FBA Board Chair selects the recipient.
Star Award
Recognizes a person, community, or company that goes above and beyond in advancing fiber to the home.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Board.
Photon Award
Honors an FBA member whose volunteer service demonstrates exceptional dedication to the Association and the industry.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Board.
Gene Scott
Education Award
Recognizes a person, community, or institution that has made a significant impact on fiber industry education.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Education Committee.
All-Fiber
Networ Provider
Accreditation
Acknowledges FBA members that demonstrate a strategic commitment to all-fiber deployment by operating networks where 90% or more relies on fiber optic infrastructure.
Recognition: Newly accredited members are recognized at the luncheon. Learn more here.
Fiber Under Forty
Spotlights professionals born in 1985 or later whose contributions are driving meaningful results for their companies and the industry.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Women Changing
Fiber for Good
Celebrates women whose leadership and actions are improving the industry in lasting ways.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Advocacy Allstars
Honors individuals advancing fiber broadband policy at state and federal levels.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Community Impact
Recognizes fiber projects that enable communities and change lives across North America.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Product Innovation
Showcases technology innovation that expands fiber broadband’s ability to meet customer needs today and over the next decade.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Light It Up
Highlights cross-functional project teams that drive community network expansion through planning, integration, and construction.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Constellation
Celebrates coalitions of companies that teamed up to advance fiber networks across communities, states, or regions.
Selection: Nominations reviewed by the FBA Conference Committee.
Nominations
Nominations open February 2 and close March 27. Each nominee must be part of an FBA member company.
- Finalists will be announced April 10.
- Award recipients will be announced at the Fiber Connect 25th Anniversary Gala
For membership information, contact the Membership Team at membership@fiberbroadband.org.
Award Selection Process
The Chairman’s Award is selected by the FBA Board Chair. All other awards are chosen from nominations submitted during the February 2 to March 27 window. The FBA Board and relevant committees review all submissions and select finalists. FBA Senior Advisors then evaluate finalists and select winners based on each award’s criteria. Winners are revealed at the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Gala during Fiber Connect 2026.
Additional Industry Awards
These awards are presented by their respective organizations and will be acknowledged during the Fiber Broadband Association 25th Anniversary Gala.
- Lightwave FTTxcellence Award
- Cablefax Award(s)
All-Fiber Network Provider Accreditation
Members operating networks with at least 90% fiber may apply for accreditation. Newly accredited members will be recognized at the Gala. Learn how to apply through FBA membership resources.