Where Industry Leaders Come Together
The Texas A&M University ITEC Interoperability Institute is a platform where industry leaders come together to address challenges in first responder communication. ITEC hosts workshops, exercises, and technology demonstrations to enhance emergency response effectiveness.
The conference will be held from November 17 to November 21, 2025, at the Texas A&M Conference Center in College Station, TX.
Attendees can learn about cutting-edge advancements in first responder technologies, connect with professionals in the field, showcase their commitment to innovation, and contribute to shaping the future of first responder communication.
Our Objectives
Examine interoperability capabilities and requirements during a multi-jurisdictional event, covering cyber-security, physical convergence, hazmat incidents, terrorist bombings, and telecommunications system failures.
Themes
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Enhancing Emergency Response Through Effective Agency Collaboration
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Advancing Next Generation 9-1-1 Services and Applications
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Advancing Mission Critical Services (MCX) for Emergency Response
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Enhancing Network Resilience for Emergency Response
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Strengthening Cybersecurity Across Diverse Environments
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Position, Navigation, and Timing Resiliency for Critical Infrastructure
Technology Innovation Demonstrations
Theme
FIFA World Cup 2026 Planning for Emergency Communication and Interoperability
Objective
The Technology Innovation Demonstration and Evaluation Series) Demonstrations
aim to showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions from researchers and technology vendors that enhance emergency communication and interoperability in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The demonstrations will focus on practical applications, innovative solutions, and collaborative efforts to ensure robust and reliable communication during large-scale events.
A Collaborative Critical Communications Event
Interop plays a pivotal role in ensuring that agencies and responders are fully prepared for any large-scale emergency. By testing communication systems, practicing interagency collaboration, and integrating cyber and physical security, these events help improve crisis response.
Interoperability Institute 2024 Recap
The most significant improvement in ITEC’s outreach and communications was the revamp of the Interoperability Institute (“Interop”). After a hiatus in 2023 due to public safety deployments, Interop 2024 represented a major leap forward from 2022. Attendance for workshops soared from 70 to 290, and participation in the exercise grew from 40 to 140. The number of sponsoring vendors also increased dramatically, from 8 to 22.
Keynote speakers at the event included recognized authorities in public safety:
• Daniel Cotter, Executive Director of the Office of Science and Engineering (OSE) in the Science
and Technology (S&T) Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security
• Charles Guddemi, District of Columbia’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Agency’s (HSEMA) Statewide Interoperability Coordinator (SWIC)
• Joe Wassel, Executive Director and CEO of the First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority
Attendance included public safety thought leaders and first responders from:
• 4 countries
• 13 US federal agencies
• 12 DC and state public safety agencies
• 25 city and county public safety agencies
• 4 universities
• 7 industry associations
• 44 technology companies, including 22 that sponsored the event
ITEC’s ability to unite academia, government, industry, and practitioners highlighted its growing influence and solidified its role as a leader in critical communications research.
