NGN Presentation Lights up Cisco Live! 2024 in Las Vegas

As recognized innovators in advancing and safeguarding a large and complex University network, the Next Generation Network team from Yale University was selected to present during this year’s Cisco Live! event in Las Vegas on June 2-6, 2024. In a whirlwind of networking prowess and technological innovation that drew in thousands of tech enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious onlookers, the 35th annual Cisco Live! took over the bustling streets of Las Vegas and proved once again why it’s a cornerstone of the tech world’s calendar.

Representing the NGN Team and sporting matching Yale blue shirts, Tim Sheets, Director of Network Engineering, Shawn Clark, NGN Program Director, and Dan Massameno, Networking Cloud Architect, took center stage to share the story of the NGN journey. The audience was intrigued by its technical design, structure, leadership-enabled approach, challenges, and key takeaways for program success. According to Tim Sheets, “We had robust audience participation in the discussion that followed. Many participants wanted to know how they could apply the same structure to the work they are doing to gain sustainable traction in moving enterprise-wide projects forward.” 

The team, joined by Jeremy Rosenberg, Assistant Vice President of IT and CISO, and Kevin O’Donnell, Network Engineer for Wireless, later navigated The Mandalay Bay Convention Center, which served as the epicenter of this year’s conference, buzzing with excitement as attendees explored the latest advancements in networking, cybersecurity, and the Internet of Things. They even had the good fortune to meet up with fellow NGN team member and project manager, Jim Bruton, for some great conversation and a delicious meal. “I’m always looking for ways beyond NGN Day to bring the team together,” said Shawn Clark. “And Cisco Live! presented the perfect opportunity for that.”   

The positive energy at Cisco Live! was contagious. From seasoned IT veterans to bright-eyed tech novices, everyone found something to marvel at amidst the sea of booths and demos. Keynote speakers and presenters, including tech titans and visionary entrepreneurs, shared their innovative ideas in a series of presentations that blended cutting-edge technology with inspiring visions for the future. Away from the main stage, the Innovation Hub hummed with activity as startups and developers showcased their latest creations. From virtual reality experiences that transported users across the globe in an instant, to groundbreaking cybersecurity tools that could detect threats before they even emerged, the breadth of innovation on display was staggering. One of the standout attractions was the unveiling of Cisco’s revolutionary AI-powered networking solutions, promising to reshape how businesses manage their networks, where attendees were given the opportunity to witness firsthand the seamless integration of AI in network troubleshooting and optimization.  

As the sun set over the Las Vegas Strip, Cisco Live! transformed into a celebration of achievement and camaraderie, capped off with an exclusive live performance by Elton John. Networking events and parties provided the perfect backdrop for forging new connections and sharing insights. Cisco Live! attendees exchanged stories of inspiration and collaboration, fueling excitement for what the future holds in the ever-evolving tech landscape. From virtual reality escapades to quantum computing breakthroughs, this year’s conference proved that when it comes to innovation, the sky’s no longer the limit—it’s just the beginning, and Yale University is leading the way thanks to the Next Generation Network.