Living in the Future: Reflections from the Fiber Broadband Association’s National Conference

By Leslie Blevins, Supervisor of Customer Engagement

As I sat in a massive convention center at the Fiber Broadband Association’s national conference (which was attended by more than 5,000 people), I felt a deep sense of pride listening to our CEO speak. He shared how our fiber optic system has transformed our community over the past 20 years – something that, admittedly, I sometimes take for granted.

Clayton began, “I’m honored to be here today to talk about how we at BTES serve our community – not just as the provider of electricity, but as a lifeline for opportunity, connection, and growth.”

He then painted a picture for those who may not be familiar with Bristol, as beautiful drone footage of South Holston Lake rolled behind him (special thanks to Chris Sykes for the video).

“Bristol is a place where the rugged beauty of the Appalachian Mountains meets the warmth of Southern hospitality,” he said. “Nestled along the Virginia-Tennessee state line, our town rests gracefully among rolling hills. The serene waters of South Holston and Boone Lakes offer a perfect blend of natural beauty and small-town charm.”

He went on to briefly highlight what makes our area special – from being the birthplace of country music to hosting the world’s fastest half-mile at Bristol Motor Speedway, and the many local events that bring our community together.

But he also acknowledged the challenges of serving a rural region.

“While the hills and valleys across this part of the world give our community its unique charm, they also create obstacles,” he said. “Many of our customers live in remote areas, where roads twist and turn and cell service can be spotty. In such a setting, reliable Internet access isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity.”

Clayton then shared the story of how BTES entered the fiber optic business (you can read more about that on the About BTES page).

Sitting in that room, I was struck by how many communities across the country still dream of what we’ve had for two decades. People from Hawaii to Canada, North Carolina to South Dakota, shared stories of limited or no access to high-speed Internet – let alone fiber connected directly to homes. It was humbling.

One speaker described a rural community where the only access to high-speed Internet was at the local library. That meant students needing to do homework, adults applying for jobs, or seniors trying to video chat with their grandchildren had to travel “into town” just to connect.

It made me realize how truly fortunate we are – and how important it is to continue this work.

Clayton closed his remarks with a message that stayed with me:

“As technology continues to evolve, so will our commitment to making sure our community remains connected – not just in terms of access to the Internet, but in terms of the opportunities it brings.”

Throughout the conference, one phrase echoed again and again: “Fiber is the future.” And I agree.

But I also know this: thanks to the vision and planning of BTES, our community hasn’t just been preparing for the future – we’ve been living in it for the past 20 years.