PRESS RELEASES

AFCEA/U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE DEFENSE AND IT CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO

Focusing on the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)

For Immediate Release January 27, 2010

AFCEA Media Contact:                      USNI Media Contact:

Tobey Jackson                                Scot Christenson

703-631-6189                                 410-295-1026

tjackson@afcea.org                         schristenson@usni.org

FAIRFAX, VA—The largest defense and IT conference and exposition on the West Coast returns to the San Diego Convention Center, February 2-4, 2010.At West 2010, senior military leaders and defense industry experts will address the theme “Smart Power: Does the QDR Get It Right?” The 19th annual conference, which is expected to draw over 10,000 people, covers hot issues facing the military including cyber challenges, piracy and North Korea. Attendees can see, touch and try out the latest communications, homeland security, biometrics and defense technologies from 400 exhibitors. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for meals.

The conference theme and panel session topics are based on input from operating forces. Speakers and panel participants will voice their different points of view and experiences with these issues, allowing attendees to benefit from their knowledge and candid discussion. Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Staff, Gen James E. Cartwright, USMC, kicks off the conference as the Tuesday morning keynote speaker. Additional featured speakers include:

• ADM Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations
• ADM James G. Stavridis, USN, NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command
• VADM David J. “Jack” Dorsett, USN, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance (N2/N6)
• Dr. Ralph W. Shrader, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Booz Allen Hamilton

The Wednesday morning breakfast features a dialogue on “What Kind of Navy Does America Need?” moderated by Mr. David Hartman, former Host of Good Morning America. The two panel participants are, The Honorable Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of the Navy; and CDR Bryan McGrath, USN (Ret.), Lead author of the 2007 Maritime Strategy, “A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower”.

Six panel sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to dialogue with experts about the latest policy and technology issues:

• QDR
• Cyber Issues
• North Korea
• Piracy
• Global Maritime Domain Awareness
• Budget

West 2010 also features a parallel conference track presented by the Chief Information Officer of the Department of the Navy. The conference features technical sessions on specific information management and information technology programs within the Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, West includes Military Officers Association of America career and financial seminars, a small business training forum.

West 2010 is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for meals. On-site registration is available beginning Monday, February 1. For online registration and a complete schedule of events please visit http://www.west2010.org.

AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. For more information, visit www.afcea.org.

Since 1873, the non-profit U.S. Naval Institute has promoted independent ideas in its respected journals Proceedings and Naval History, and in the 80 books it publishes each year. A professional military association, it advocates a strong national defense and supports the men and women who provide it. Its publications, conferences and web offerings establish USNI as the Nation’s premier independent forum for critical thinking on maritime strategy and national security issues. For more information, visit www.usni.org.

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