For more than four decades, the Kaitz Event has reflected a shared belief across the cable and connectivity industry: investing in people is an investment in our future.
Today, that commitment continues in New York City as the industry gathers to celebrate leadership, expand opportunity, and invest in the talent that will shape what comes next. This year’s Event will honor Disability Belongs® with the 2026 ChangeMaker Award, recognize BroadFutures through the 2026 ChangeMaker Scholarship, and raise funds to support the work of the NCTA Education Foundation.
Funds raised help the Foundation invest in leadership development, talent initiatives, scholarships, partnerships, and other opportunities that help people enter the industry, grow within it, and eventually lead it.
A New Venue and What to Expect
This year, the Kaitz Event moves to Guastavino’s, a designated New York City Interior Landmark beneath the Queensboro Bridge. Continuing the open, interactive format introduced last year, the evening brings a touch of Mardi Gras to New York, featuring:
- A second-line brass band
- New Orleans–inspired cuisine served throughout the evening
- Music from DJ and Vibe Curator CHamplifestyle®
- A performance by Chris Rob
- A silent auction featuring experiential items donated in support of the Foundation
Honoring the 2026 ChangeMaker: Disability Belongs®
At the heart of this year’s Event is the ChangeMaker Award, recognizing an individual, group, organization, or content creator whose work is creating meaningful impact across media and entertainment.
This year’s honoree, Disability Belongs®, is a diverse, disability-led nonprofit working to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities.
Its work spans culture, policy, and practice—from changing how people with disabilities are seen and valued to expanding opportunities for talented people with disabilities to contribute their ideas, skills, and leadership in workplaces, industries, and communities.
That work aligns with the Foundation’s approach to talent: building an industry where people with disabilities have opportunities not only to enter, but to contribute, grow, and lead.
Expanding Opportunity Through BroadFutures
This year’s focus on accessibility also extends to the 2026 ChangeMaker Scholarship, awarded through a new partnership with BroadFutures, an organization recognized on the NCTA Education Foundation’s inaugural Ones to Watch list in 2025.
Established in 2025 as the Fund the Future Scholarship, the ChangeMaker Scholarship can take many forms. This year’s partnership will support young neurodivergent people interested in careers in communications and marketing, providing opportunities to build skills, gain meaningful experience, and prepare for employment.
Investing in the Industry’s Talent Engine
Proceeds from the Kaitz Event support the NCTA Education Foundation, the nonprofit foundation of NCTA and the connectivity industry’s talent engine. Through grant-giving, scholarships, leadership development, research, and partnerships, the Foundation invests in the people and organizations that strengthen the industry’s workforce.
That commitment to people has held steady as the industry has transformed, and the Foundation’s approach has evolved alongside it.
Its work is guided by three pillars:
- Do Good. Create opportunity and invest in people.
- Be Better. Develop talent and leadership while continually learning how to deepen our impact.
- Impact Tomorrow. Make investments today that help strengthen the industry we will become.
The 2025 Kaitz Event raised more than $1.1 million. This year, the Foundation continues toward an even bolder ambition: raising and distributing $20 million by 2030.
To learn more, visit kaitzevent.com and the NCTA Education Foundation website.
