THANK YOU
for making this year's event truly spectacular!
Congratulations to the class of 2026, and thank you to our amazing sponsors for your support.
A Night to Remember in Atlanta
Scenes from the Diamond Jubilee
The 60th Annual Diamond Jubilee Banquet, hosted by Cable TV Pioneers, was a night to remember in the heart of Atlanta. Set against the backdrop of the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, the evening gathered some of the most influential leaders, innovators, and changemakers in the cable and broadband industries to celebrate six decades of excellence and legacy.
From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense of pride and history in the room. Sixty years after the first class of Pioneers came together, the spotlight shone on the Diamond Jubilee Class of 2026 – individuals whose careers have helped shape, modernize, and advance the industry over decades. Each induction was not just a recognition of achievement, but a tribute to vision, resilience, and long-term impact.
The banquet blended celebration with reflection, honoring the pioneers who built the foundation of today's connected world while inspiring the next generation of leaders. Surrounded by peers, colleagues, and longtime friends, the evening served as a powerful reminder that innovation is driven by people, relationships, and commitment.
It was more than an awards ceremony. It was a Diamond Jubilee celebration of legacy, leadership, and the continued evolution of an industry that connects millions every day.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 SPONSORS
— Our History
THE CLASS OF 1966
During the 1966 NCTA Convention held at the Americana Hotel in Miami Beach, FL, 21 of our early entrepreneurs of the Cable TV industry met to become the first Cable Pioneers class. Most of those Pioneers are responsible for building the systems and MSOs that would become the nucleus of today’s modern
cable TV and broadband industry.
At that first meeting, Mr. Stanley Searle, who helped propose the formation of the group, presented each member with a “Pioneer” plaque. From the original 21, membership has grown to almost 700. For over two decades, the Cable TV Pioneers have been responsible for establishing and funding the Cable Center. Originally located at Penn State, the Cable Center was relocated to the campus of the University of Denver in the 1990s. Following the Center’s grand opening, the Cable TV Pioneers initiated a further recognition of exemplary service to the cable TV industry through the “Cable Hall of Fame” program.