Courtesy of NCTC

After a busy three days in Salt Lake City, we asked executives what their biggest takeaways were from The Independent Show 2025. Here’s what they had to say.

Lou Borrelli
CEO
NCTC

My biggest takeaway from TIS 2025 is how our members are successfully adapting to the evolving landscape, be it the convergence of broadband and mobile, the evolution of linear video, OTT streaming and direct to consumer as a product set, and the introduction of AI into all aspects of their daily business and strategic planning for the future.

Dan Herscovici
CEO
Plume

Two big takeaways: (1) Operational efficiency is a survival skill. With rising operational costs, ISPs seek tools that lower cost-to-serve without sacrificing quality, while tapping into new data and AI capabilities. Flexibility and choice are paramount when it comes to their technology stack, and they want partners who deliver both. (2) Customer experience is a competitive weapon. Independents are competing with national players, and the ability to proactively manage the in-home experience has become a key differentiator. They want to achieve parity where they can.

Stacey Slaughter
CEO
NCTI

While both operators and vendors, are navigating an immense amount of pure chaos right now, from M&A activity, to increased competition, to the ever-evolving impact of AI and the incredible uncertainty in D.C. and our state governments, we still treasure, possibly more than ever, the ability to come together to reconnect and to learn. Thankfully, that hasn’t changed.

Grant SpellmeyerGrant Spellmeyer
President/CEO
ACA Connects

Independent providers are reaching new heights with dedication and grit the bigger players can’t match. At TIS, there was a sense of excitement for the future, especially with current regulatory opportunities in Washington. From permitting reforms to a potential Cable Act overhaul, I left Salt Lake energized to advocate for a level-playing field that ensures local and independent providers can keep doing what they do best—connecting and investing in their communities.

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