GPN & ARE-ON Joint Conference 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to the GPN & ARE-ON Joint Conference 2026 schedule. Use this page to browse sessions, view speaker and session details, and build your personal agenda for June 22–24 in Rogers, Arkansas. Check back through May as additional sessions and details are added.

11:30am CDT

Networking Lunch

Monday June 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT

NWACC Shewmaker Center For Global Business Development-Peterson Auditorium @ 900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, USA

Lunch will be a boxed lunch. Pick up your box lunch in the ENACTUS Lab and enjoy it with your cohorts in Peterson Auditorium.

Monday June 22, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm CDT
NWACC Shewmaker Center For Global Business Development-Peterson Auditorium 900 SE Eagle Way, Bentonville, AR 72712, USA

Meal

Company Great Plains Network
Subject Collaboration & Applications, Strategy

7:00am CDT

Conference Breakfast

Tuesday June 23, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT

Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V @ 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Registration and breakfast. Chad Williams and Caleb Williams from Pier Group/Nokia will welcome you with a 15-minute meal speaking opportunity.

Menu:
High on the Hog Breakfast Buffet

Cinnamon French Toast with Whipped Butter & Maple Syrup
Cheese-Filled Omelets
Hickory Smoked Bacon
Sausage Links
Southern Fried Potatoes
Chilled Orange Juice
Freshly Brewed Coffee
Selection of Hot Teas

Speakers

Caleb Williams

Major Account Manager and VP of Contracts, PIER Group

Chad Williams

President, PIER Group

Sponsors

PIER Group/Nokia

PIER Group partners with research and education institutions to deliver expert IT strategy, infrastructure modernization, and long-term technology solutions supported by compliant procurement contracts.
Partnered with Nokia, a global leader in advanced network and connectivity sol... Read More →

Tuesday June 23, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Meal, Breakfast

Company Fortinet

7:00am CDT

Conference Registration

Tuesday June 23, 2026 7:00am - 4:00pm CDT

Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Lobby @ 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Registration

Tuesday June 23, 2026 7:00am - 4:00pm CDT
Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Lobby 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Meal, Breakfast

Company Fortinet

11:45am CDT

Lunch & Sponsor Showcase

Tuesday June 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT

Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V @ 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Go through the buffet line in the Ballroom Lobby and bring your lunch into Grand V to network with your fellow attendees! Lunch is sponsored by Ciena/Lumen and they will have a 15 min speaking opportunity during lunch.

Menu:
Local Taqueria Lunch Buffet Salads & Starters

Mexican Chopped Salad
- Chopped Romaine
- Roasted Corn
- Diced Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Cotija Cheese
- Tortilla Strips
- Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
Tortilla Chips with House-Made Salsa

Entrées

Warm Flour Tortillas
Smoked Carnitas with Pineapple Pico
Tinga Chicken
Spanish Rice
Cumin-Spiced Black Beans
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream

Dessert

Sopapillas with Honey

Beverages

Ice Water
Tea
Coffee

Speakers

Brady Bell

Director Engineering, Ciena

Sponsors

Ciena/Lumen

Lumen connects the world. We are igniting business growth by connecting people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. Everything we do at Lumen takes advantage of our network strength. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud... Read More →

Tuesday June 23, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm CDT
Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Meal, Lunch

Company Ciena/Lumen

7:00am CDT

Conference Breakfast

Wednesday June 24, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT

Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V @ 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Conference breakfast is sponsored by Terabit sponsor, Fortinet. Fortinet will have a 15-minute meal speaking opportunity.

Continental Breakfast

Fresh Cut Fruit

Muffins and Scones

Chilled Orange Juice

Selection of Hot Teas and Coffee

Speakers

Branden Henner

Account Manager, Fortinet

Sponsors

Fortinet

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Learn more... Read More →

Wednesday June 24, 2026 7:00am - 8:00am CDT
Embassy Suites Conv. Center - Grand Ballroom V 3303 Pinnacle Hills Pkwy, Rogers, AR 72758-8936

Meal, Breakfast