UTC's annual conference speeds into the home of NASCAR to highlight telecommunications in the Utilities industry. This highly anticipated event offers the opportunity for thousands of information and communications technology (ICT) professionals and technology partners to network and learn how experts from around the globe are modernizing their utilities.

Conference-goers will have the chance to attend pre-conference training, workshops, round-tables, summits, and three days of education covering all aspects of the ICT industry. At the center of this event, over 200 industry-leading companies like Cisco will be showing their latest technology at work.

Among many different speakers and education tracks, Cisco's security expert Edna Conway will examine and discuss the next generation of Supply Chain Risk. Edna serves as Cisco's Chief Security Officer for its Global Value Chain and oversees the deployment of Cisco's strategy to assess, monitor, and continuously improve the security of its global third party ecosystem.

Also speaking from Cisco will be Jared Carter, Industry Advisor of Digital Utilities. Jared works with our Internet of Things group, and he will be discussing how Utilities can lead the way with Data Analytics, applying solutions to address their most important business challenges. These Line of Business solutions focus on operational systems and often relate directly to system reliability, adoption of next-generation capabilities, and lower system operating costs.

In between sessions come to the exhibit hall to visit the Cisco inbooth#715. At our booth we will demonstrate the latest in telecommunications tech, including our robust line of MPLS-capable devices. Worldwide electric utilities are increasingly planning for a future based on smart grid applications requiring advanced telecommunications systems. MPLS positions utilities to support diverse legacy systems as well as modernizing for next-generation applications.

Launching in our booth this year will be the latest release of our popular ASR 900 series routers. The ASR 900 router offers cost-effective migration from legacy SONET/SDH/TDM to a converged IP/MPLS multi-service communications infrastructure.  The ASR 900 offers scalability with 10GE and 1GE interfaces across multiple typologies, combined with high availability and an intuitive, easy-to-use network management interface.

We will also be demonstrating our state-of-the industry substation and distribution network functionality, along with Cisco's robust security capabilities, designed to keep the network locked down from outside interference. Additionally, as cities become more integrated with services and connected infrastructure, you'll see how Cisco transforms the deployment of IoT devices with a unified network management system known as theField Network Directorin Cisco. You will discover how FND can connect a city's smart lighting system for efficient power management and reliable service communications.

Charlotte offers much to see and do in the off-hours from visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame just adjacent to the convention center, seeing the actual "Miracle on the Hudson" aircraft at the Carolinas Aviation Museum, or just a walking or pub crawling through Charlotte's tree-lined streets.

Come visit us next week!  Or see us virtually here.