-

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, Joins Women in Fiber Luncheon at Fiber Connect 2025

The Dollywood Foundation’s Nell McCauley Champions Childhood Literacy at FBA Luncheon

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) is proud to host the 2025 Women in Fiber Luncheon during Fiber Connect 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. The annual Luncheon will take place on Tuesday, June 3, from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM CT. A portion of each ticket sold for the lunch will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library — a global book-gifting program that gifts more than 3 million books each month to children in five countries.

This year’s luncheon will center around the theme "Reading and Fiber are Fundamental," highlighting the intersection of connectivity and literacy. The keynote speaker will be Nell Withers McCauley, Program Director for The Dollywood Foundation, home of the Imagination Library. McCauley will discuss the importance of equitable access to early childhood literacy, the lasting impact of Dolly Parton’s signature program, and actionable ways FBA members can help expand the initiative within their own communities.

To celebrate the occasion, the luncheon will also feature a musical performance by Autumn Nicholas, who will honor Dolly Parton’s legacy by performing a selection of her most iconic hits.

“The Women in Fiber Luncheon is always a highlight of Fiber Connect,” said Trish Ehlers, Vice President of Operations, Fiber Broadband Association. “We’re honored to welcome Nell McCauley and to contribute to a foundation that is making a difference for millions of children. This luncheon not only celebrates the achievements of women in our industry but also connects our mission to broader community impact.”

The Women in Fiber Luncheon offers a unique opportunity to connect with top female leaders across the fiber broadband industry and to enjoy an inspiring networking experience.

Those interested in shaping the future of this community are encouraged to get involved with the Women in Fiber Committee by completing this application form.

View the Fiber Connect 2025 agenda and register here. For sponsorship opportunities contact Lucy Green at lgreen@fiberbroadband.org. Stay updated by subscribing to the Fiber Broadband Association’s weekly newsletter here. To learn more about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, click here.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policymakers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.

Contacts

Press Contact:
Christy Barbaran
Connect2 Communications for the Fiber Broadband Association
FBA@connect2comm.com

Fiber Broadband Association


Release Versions

Contacts

Press Contact:
Christy Barbaran
Connect2 Communications for the Fiber Broadband Association
FBA@connect2comm.com

More News From Fiber Broadband Association

Underserved Rural Americans View Fiber as Best Option for Broadband Infrastructure

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) today revealed results from a new consumer broadband study performed by RVA LLC. The study shows that Americans understand that fiber broadband is the best option for reliable, high-speed internet and any other option falls short in supporting existing and future digital demands. Based on the 2025 study, 75% of both rural adults and suburban/urban adults now believe that high quality internet is very important to their household...

Fiber Broadband Association Awards Connected Home, Subscriber Experience Concepts at Fiber Connect 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at Fiber Connect 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced the winners of the Proof of Concept (PoC) Showcase. This year’s showcase featured six concepts from 11 companies, all demonstrating the power of fiber to transform the Connected Home and/or the broadband subscriber experience. The PoCs were centered around one of three BBF specifications (BBF.247 (OLT/ONT Interoperability), TR-369 (User Services Platform), and/or BBF.398 (Wi-Fi Perfor...

Whidbey Telecom Wins Fiber Broadband Association OpTIC Path™ Rodeo at Fiber Connect 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today at Fiber Connect 2025, the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) announced Whidbey Telecom’s Keagan Beumer won the first annual OpTIC Path™ Rodeo, an exciting competition highlighting the skills and expertise of fiber technicians. By featuring real-world challenges, the OpTIC Path Rodeo underscored the value of comprehensive workforce development and training programs in building the skilled workforce required for North American fiber connectivity growth. “T...
Back to Newsroom