Dallas, September 11, 2025
News Summary
The IOWN Global Forum is set to host the FUTURES event in Dallas, focusing on the latest advances in optical and wireless technologies. Taking place at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the half-day program will be free for attendees, including both members and non-members for the first time. Participants can expect a mix of informative sessions, on-site demonstrations, and networking opportunities with key industry leaders and organizations tackling photonics and distributed computing.
Dallas — The Innovative Optical and Wireless Network Global Forum (IOWN Global Forum) will host the fourth edition of its FUTURES event in Dallas on October 2, 2025. The half-day program will run from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CDT at the Hyatt Regency Dallas (300 Reunion Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207) and will be free of charge for both members and non-members for the first time. The event will also be streamed online to reach remote participants.
Event overview
FUTURES Dallas is designed to highlight the IOWN Global Forum’s mission and collaborative work with national stakeholders and industry partners. The event will gather over 160 member organizations at the Hyatt Regency Dallas to present progress, planned initiatives, and practical demonstrations related to next-generation optical and wireless technologies. Sessions will emphasize the role of photonics in enabling ultra-low latency, enhanced performance resiliency, and increased data transmission capacity, along with industry-specific sustainable solutions.
What to expect
The program includes a concentrated half-day agenda followed by a networking reception, providing attendees with both structured sessions and informal discussion opportunities. On-site demonstrations and exhibits will showcase prototype systems and applied solutions that illustrate how photonics and distributed computing can be integrated into real-world operations. The event format is intended to support direct technical engagement, practical demonstrations, and connections between technology providers, systems integrators, and end users.
Participants and topics
Leaders from member organizations across telecommunications, computing, and electronics sectors will take part. Confirmed participant organizations include, but are not limited to, BT, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Nokia, NTT, Orange, Red Hat, and Sony. Discussion topics will focus on photonics research and development, distributed computing architectures, best practices for implementation, and strategies for scaling new communication infrastructure to meet future data and computing demands. Sessions will also address sustainability objectives and how photonics-based systems can reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency for a range of industries.
Logistics and access
The event schedule runs from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CDT and will be followed by an evening networking reception. The half-day format is intended to allow attendees to engage in concentrated technical sessions during the afternoon and connect with peers during the reception. The decision to make the event free for everyone this year expands access beyond forum members and is intended to broaden participation, including national stakeholders based in one of the United States’ fastest-growing technology hubs.
Background and objectives
The IOWN Global Forum was established in 2020 and has since expanded to more than 160 member organizations. Its stated objective is to accelerate innovation and the adoption of a new communication infrastructure that combines optical and wireless technologies with distributed computing. By promoting collaboration across industries, the forum aims to help transform sectors such as telecommunications, cloud services, manufacturing, and public services. Emphasis is placed on practical deployment guidance, shared research and development priorities, and aligning stakeholders on standards and best practices to enable faster, more resilient, and more sustainable systems.
FUTURES Dallas will serve both as a technical showcase and a coordination point for future work, focusing on measurable progress, deployment-ready demonstrations, and partnership development. With on-site exhibits and an online stream, the event is designed to provide broad access to the latest developments in photonics-enabled architectures and their potential to meet growing global data and computing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FUTURES Dallas?
FUTURES Dallas is the fourth edition of a program hosted by the IOWN Global Forum to present advances in optical and wireless technologies, with a focus on photonics, distributed computing, and sustainable solutions.
When and where will the event take place?
The event will be held on October 2, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM CDT at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207. A networking reception follows the program.
Is there a cost to attend?
The event will be free for both IOWN Global Forum members and non-members for the first time. Online streaming will also be available.
Who will participate?
More than 160 member organizations are expected to participate. Representative companies include BT, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Nokia, NTT, Orange, Red Hat, and Sony, along with other industry, academic, and government stakeholders.
What topics will be covered?
Key topics include photonics research and development, distributed computing architectures, implementation best practices, sustainability in communications infrastructure, and strategies for increasing data transmission capacity and system resiliency.
Will there be demonstrations?
Yes. The event will feature on-site demonstrations and exhibits designed to show practical applications of the technologies under discussion.
Key Features
| Feature | Importance | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Photonics R&D | Very High | |
| Distributed Computing | High | |
| Sustainable Solutions | High | |
| Member Participation | Significant |
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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
