Conferences and Workshops

The Technology Opportunities Program (TOP) hosted annual forums to discuss the connection of people, information technology, and services transforming American life. These "Networks for People" conferences and workshops brought together leaders in the field of telecommunications and information technology to express their views on what's state-of-the-art now and, as we enter the 21st century, what the future might hold for information technologies and public policies affecting them.

Networks for People 2001: TOP's Networks for People 2001 was held on December 6 and 7, 2001, in Washington, DC. The conference focused on RESULTS — TOP projects that are making a lasting impact and continuing to work in their communities. In addition to nationally-recognized speakers on information technology issues, TOP recipients discussed how non-profit and public sector groups use digital network technologies.

Networks for People 2000: TOP's Networks for People 2000 conference was held on October 30-31, 2000, at the Hilton Crystal City at National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. The conference provided a forum for more than 450 people to discuss the connection of people, information technology, and services transforming American life, bringing together leaders in the field of telecommunications and information technology to express their views on what's state-of-the-art now and, as we enter the 21st century, what the future might hold for information technologies and public policies affecting them.

Networks for People 1999: The conference was held on November 1-2, 1999, in Arlington, Virginia, and was attended by more than 600 people. Emerging technologies present new opportunities for the public-interesting networking movement, but they pose enormous challenges as well, which were covered by a range of speakers and workshop leaders. The two-day conference opened with a speech by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D, ND), who suggested that universal-service policies such as those that have made basic telephone service nearly ubiquitous in the United States should be extended to advanced telecommunications services.

Networks for People 1998: On December 8-9, 1998, more than 600 leaders in the networking movement gathered in Washington, DC, for the 1998 Networks for People Conference to share the lessons they have learned and to consider what the future holds. Conference participants, who came from 45 states and two foreign countries, had much to discuss. The five years since the inception of the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (later named the Technology Opportunities Program) have seen sweeping changes.