IWCS 2026 Includes Strong Technical Program Plus 75th Anniversary Celebration

Join industry-leading cable and connectivity suppliers, manufacturers, and end users in Orlando this November to experience the latest innovations and developments shaping the global cable and connectivity industry. For 75 years, industry professionals representing communications, data, electronics, power, industrial, automotive, aerospace, and similar industries from around the world gather at the annual IWCS Forum for valuable networking, learning, professional development, and business opportunities.

This premier event features the traditional elements of the IWCS Forum plus additional components that highlight trending developments and innovations affecting the cable and connectivity industry. These featured trend sessions are divided into discussions on the following topics: artificial intelligence and machine learning, sustainable grid infrastructure, plus cable and connectivity innovations to support the data center boom. 

Prior to making travel arrangements, view the complete schedule, which begins on Sunday with Professional Development Courses. Starting early Monday morning is the first full day with the Executive Session, Plenary Luncheon, Supplier Exhibition™, Poster Session, and Cirque Royale Anniversary Celebration on Monday. Tuesday features additional Supplier Exhibition time, presentations in the exhibit hall, plus four technical sessions and two trend sessions. With nine technical sessions happening on Wednesday, plan to stay through the end of the event so you don’t miss compelling  technical presentations.

Technical Symposium

The cornerstone of the IWCS Cable & Connectivity Industry Forum is the Technical Symposium, which begins Monday with the Executive Session, Plenary Luncheon with Keynote, and Poster Session. As always, great care was taken in selecting the papers to be presented. Forty members of the IWCS Board of Directors and Symposium Committee, representing companies from ten unique countries, met in May to review technical paper abstracts. Thanks to a strong response to the Call for Papers, attendees will experience an exceptionally high-caliber Technical Symposium that features multiple technical presentations in each of the following sessions.

• Copper: Data and Power Convergence
• Fiber Coating Technologies and Characteristics
• Cable Installation
• Resilient Materials & Additives
• Connectivity Solutions for Data Center & Developing Applications
• Fiber Cable Design – Part 1
• Engineering Sustainability In Cable Systems
• Codes & Standards
• Hollow and Multicore Fiber Cables
• Fiber Cable Design – Part 2
• Materials for Demanding Applications
• Copper Single Pair Ethernet
• Submarine Cable Design & Installation
• Poster Session

75th Anniversary Celebration – Cirque Royale!

Step into an evening of elegance, excitement, and celebration as IWCS commemorates its 75^th Anniversary with Cirque Royale—an unforgettable experience blending the sophistication of a royal gala with the awe-inspiring artistry of a world-class circus. Attendees and their spouses/families are invited to enjoy an immersive atmosphere filled with dazzling performances, captivating entertainers, exquisite cuisine, and exceptional networking opportunities as we honor 75 years of IWCS innovation, collaboration, and leadership.

Executive Session

An additional highlight of the Technical Symposium is the Executive Session, which features economic trends and similar executive management topics of interest to help strategize your business objectives. Be sure to arrive by Monday morning—you don’t want to miss the technical innovations and industry outlook presented during the Executive Session!

Plenary Luncheon

During the plenary session on Monday afternoon, you will hear welcome remarks from IWCS, experience an engaging keynote presentation, share lunch with colleagues, and celebrate recipients of awards for the outstanding technical paper, best presentation, and outstanding poster paper from last year’s Forum.

Special Sessions Highlight Important Industry trends

In an effort to supplement the Technical Symposium and support the exchange of ideas on critical advancements, challenges, and opportunities throughout the industry, focused breakout sessions were recently introduced into the IWCS Forum program to promote high-level industry innovation and trend discussions. The 2026 IWCS Forum will be enhanced by two special trend sessions featuring influential industry and technology leaders, plus the exclusive opportunity for attendees to engage with the panelists and presenters.

Enjoy the beautifully renovated Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, plus many attractions in Orlando

The event venue and host hotel is the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, a beautiful venue which completed a $134-million renovation last year. The resort and convention center features amenities to make IWCS attendees comfortable for business networking and personal relaxation. Consider extending your stay and bringing your family to enjoy everything the resort and nearby Orlando attractions — including Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, and SeaWorld — have to offer. Beyond the theme parks, Orlando offers visitors a vibrant mix of championship golf, world-class dining, luxury spas, premier shopping, outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, and lively entertainment districts, providing memorable experiences for every interest.

Professional Development Courses

This year, a variety of strong Professional Development Courses will be offered, providing a great learning opportunity from renowned industry experts. IWCS will present the annual core courses of Fiber 101, Materials 101 and Extrusion 101. The core courses will provide those new to our cable & connectivity industry with basic technology information. Additionally, the Materials 211, Copper 202, and Fiber 212 elective courses will deliver current, leading-edge topics designed to provide information on new areas of interest to engineers, scientists, and other cable & connectivity professionals.

• Extrusion 101: The Art and Science of Extrusion Machinery for Wire and Cable
• Fiber Optic 101: Fundamentals of Optical Fibers & Fiber Optic Cable Design & Application
• Materials 101: Selection & Use of Materials in Wire & Cable
• Materials 211: Basics of Fluoropolymers and Their Use in Various Cable Applications
• FO212: Advances in Optical Fibers and their Applications
• Copper 202: Advanced Transmission Lines – Theory and Measurements

Supplier Exhibition^™

The Forum provides many unique professional networking and social opportunities for industry colleagues. A key part of the event experience is the Supplier Exhibition™, which allows industry suppliers to exhibit their products and services to event attendees.  The Supplier Exhibition continues its two-day program, providing plenty of opportunity and incentive for all attendees to visit with premier suppliers from around the world. It also includes Supplier Spotlight presentations where the latest product developments and industry trends are showcased by exhibitors. So far, IWCS already has 15 new exhibitors who will bring new innovations to the Supplier Exhibition. Please visit iwcs.org/supplier-exhibition to view the most up-to-date list of participating companies.