We're going to Gila River!
Join us at the nation’s premier digital equity event, gathering together practitioners, advocates, academics, internet service providers, and policymakers as we make history with our first-ever conference on Tribal Lands in Gila River Indian Community. We’re excited and honored to continue our commitment to partnering with Tribal entities in our fight for digital equity. Gila River holds special significance for one of our esteemed board members, Mikhail Sundust, who not only hails from there but also works as the Executive Director of Digital Connect Initiative on their lands.
We’re honored to bring Net Inclusion 2025 to this unique setting near Phoenix, Arizona, and look forward to fostering impactful conversations and collaborations.
“On behalf of the Gila River Indian Community, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to our ancestral homelands for Net Inclusion 2025. We are honored to make history as the first tribal community to host Net Inclusion, the premier national conference on digital equity. Next year’s event is anticipated to be the largest digital equity conference ever!
I believe NDIA is committed to supporting indigenous communities nationwide, as demonstrated with the launch of its ‘Seven Star Communities’ program, which shines a spotlight on successful digital inclusion efforts within Native communities. We are proud to be at the forefront of this movement with our Fiber-to-the-Home broadband network, our long-standing CTC Lab, the new Digital Connect Initiative, and our commitment to STEM education in GRIC schools.
To all who attend NI25, I hope you enjoy your visit to Gila River and make meaningful connections during this historic occasion. Together, we will forge new paths toward digital equity. I look forward to a transformative and inspiring conference!”
We're already prepping for Net Inclusion 2026
In 2026, bundle up because we’re headed to the Windy City! Chicago has a long and robust history of digital equity. We’re excited to tap into the expertise and passion of the full Illinois digital equity community as we continue our mission of promoting equitable access to technology.
“After the hugely successful Illinois Connected 2024 Summit we co-hosted with NDIA, we’re excited to expand and build on that discussion in two years, and showcase all that Illinois has to offer. The 2026 Net Inclusion conference in Chicago will mark a significant milestone in Illinois and the nation as we move closer to closing the digital divide. Over a century ago, Chicago showcased the revolutionary impact of electricity during the World’s Fair. In 2026, we will uphold that tradition by convening the largest digital equity conference in the country. Together, we’ll demonstrate how historic investments in digital inclusion can help communities nationwide harness the transformative power of broadband access to achieve equity in healthcare, workforce, education, and so much more.“
These selections aren’t just about the locations themselves; they’re about the communities and the shared commitment to digital inclusion that they represent. Net Inclusion is not only a gathering — it’s a movement, and we’re thrilled to bring it to these dynamic locales.
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for these exciting journeys to Gila River and Chicago. Together, let’s keep driving positive change and advancing the cause of digital inclusion for all.
Take a moment to reflect on the incredible memories from this year’s conference. Watch the recap video to relive the magic!