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ITW Meetups

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Attendees sit at round tables in a large conference hall, some wearing luminous green headphones. Coffee cups and headsets are scattered across tables during a collaborative networking or listening session.

New for 2026: Introducing ITW Meetups

An opportunity to network with your tribe. Take inspiration from the panel discussions and continue the conversation informally with like-minded partners and ecosystem stakeholders.

How it works

ITW Meetups help to facilitate targeted networking, whilst resolving joint industry challenges and bring together stakeholders for constructive conversations and structured networking. Each round table discussion will be led by one industry figurehead who will initiate the conversation. The discussion lead will nominate a note-taker to summarise key takeaways to share afterwards. Attendees can sign up in advance and will have confirmed seats at the table. We will also have some open tables to allow for free-flow networking conversations. Come with your questions and ideas.

At a glance

Tuesday 19 May

11:30: Meet the Leaders Networking Round Tables: Policy & Investment (invite only)

13:00: ITW Meetup: AI & Data Infrastructure

14:30: ITW Meetup: Data center/ Hyperscaler

15:50: ITW Meetup: Voice & Messaging

Wednesday 20 May

11:00: ITW Meetup: Emerging Talent

13:00: ITW Meetup: Subsea Leaders

Thursday 21 May

10:30: ITW Meetup: GrowthX

The full programme

Tuesday 19 May

Meet the Leaders Networking Round Tables: Policy & Investment (invite only)

11:30 - 12:30 | Woodrow Wilson

Confirmed round table discussion:

International AI Infrastructure: Opportunities and Constraints of the ICT Stack
This roundtable explores how the strength — or weakness — of a country’s ICT infrastructure directly shapes what AI can realistically deliver, scale, and secure in practice. Key discussion areas and participant takeaways:

  • Understand the real enablers of AI adoption by examining how data centres, networks, cloud platforms, and terrestrial and subsea cables underpin AI development and deployment.
  • Identify where infrastructure gaps create friction, limiting performance, resilience, security, or speed to market for AI systems.
  • Compare national readiness to see how different ICT environments shape what countries can absorb, operate, and govern across the AI stack.
  • Clarify cross‑stack dependencies between ICT and AI systems, and how those dependencies affect operational resilience and national security.
  • Separate ambition from reality, highlighting which layers of the AI technology stack are realistically scalable today — and which remain constrained by foundational infrastructure.
 

Confirmed discussion leader: Darci Pauser, Economic Officer, Cyberspace & Digital Policy Bureau and Emerging & Critical Technology Policy Office, US Department of State

Suggested round table discussions:

  • ESG as a strategic lever – Learn how sustainability, water stewardship, and social impact can turn opposition into collaboration
  • Investment models for sustainable returns in disruptive growth periods.

ITW Meetup: AI & Data Infrastructure

13:00 - 15:00 | Digital Infra Stage

Confirmed discussion topic:

  • Designing fit-for-purpose AI-ready data centers.

Confirmed discussion leader: Doug Recker, President, Duos Technologies Group

Suggested discussion topics:

  • How can AI make network management and operations more efficient?
  • Interoperability of AI infrastructure with legacy equipment.

ITW Meetup: Data center/ hyperscaler

14:30 - 15:30 | Digital Infra Stage

ITW Meetup: Voice & Messaging

15:50 - 16:50 | GrowthX Connection Zone

Suggested topics:

  • The future of voice & messaging – innovation in technology & strategy
  • Uniting the industry to restore trust
  • eSIM and the evolution of roaming services
  • The Voice AI opportunity

Wednesday 20 May

ITW Meetup: Emerging talent

11:00 - 12:00 | GrowthX Connection Zone

Suggested discussion topics:

  • Career entry strategies
  • Emerging roles
  • Technical skill requirements
  • Work environment and culture

ITW Meetup: Subsea Leaders

13:00 - 16:00

Suggested discussion topics:

  • Submarine cable maintenance & supply chain management
  • Subsea resilience & security
  • Emerging cable technologies
  • Investment, financing and monetisation of infrastructure

Thursday 21 May

ITW Meetup: GrowthX

10:30 - 11:30 | GrowthX Connection Zone

Freeflow networking for Product leads from telcos and solution providers/ start ups offering solutions to support telco product innovation.

A group of professional women sit around a white circular table, engaged in a lively discussion during a breakfast meeting. They hold coffee mugs amidst plates of fruit and pastries.

How to sign up

Once our networking app goes live, you will be able to reserve your place on a specific round table through the app (only available to registered delegates). If you have any queries, or are interested in sponsoring a round table, please contact Rachael Lupton