PRESS RELEASES

Second Annual Joint Warfighting Conference and Exposition Returns to Virginia Beach

Largest Defense Event in the Region Focuses on DoD Capabilities for the 21st Century

For Immediate Release June 3, 2008

AFCEA Media Contact                          U.S. Naval Institute Media Contact

Tobey Jackson                                   Jessica Andrews

(703) 631-6189                                  (410) 295-1026

tjackson@afcea.org                             jandrews@usni.org

FAIRFAX, VA—AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute bring the dialogue about the future of the U.S. military back to Virginia Beach at the Joint Warfighting conference and exposition, June 17-19, 2008 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. This event, the largest defense conference in the Hampton Roads region, is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, in coordination with the U.S. Joint Forces Command and with the support of the NDIA Greater Hampton Roads Chapter and the AFCEA Hampton Roads and Tidewater Chapters.

At the Joint Warfighting Conference, senior military leaders and defense industry experts will address the theme “DoD Capabilities for the 21st Century: Dominant - Relevant – Ready?” The conference, which is expected to draw over 5000 people, will cover important issues facing the military. In addition, attendees can see, touch and try out the latest communications, homeland security, information systems, biometrics and defense technologies from over 150 exhibitors.

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. Featured speakers include:

• Gen James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Gen John D. W. Corley, USAF, Commander, Air Combat Command and Air Component Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command
• Gen James N. Mattis, USMC, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation
• LTG Thomas F. Metz, USA, Director, Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization
• ADM James G. Stavridis, USN, Commander, U.S. Southern Command
• LTG David P. Valcourt, USA, Deputy Commanding General and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
• LTG John R. Wood, USA, Deputy Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command

Six panel sessions will provide attendees opportunities to question experts one-on-one about the latest policy and technology issues. Topics include: Ensuring the Services are Dominant – Relevant – Ready; Fixing the Defense Acquisition Process; Emerging Insights on Capstone Concepts for Joint Operations; Recruiting, Training and Retention of the Future Force; Shaping the 21st Century Warrior; and Quicker Introduction of Innovative Technologies.

Three separate events will be co-located with the Joint Warfighting Conference. The Department of the Navy Chief Information Officer (DON CIO) will present four days of information management and information technology sessions. This conference of IT-related addresses and panels is open to attendees of the Joint Warfighting Conference.

“Utilizing Your Toolkit for Tomorrow’s Navy” is the theme of the three-day Department of the Navy’s Second Annual Blue Coast Small Business Conference. The purpose of this conference is to provide a forum to educate, guide and assist small businesses in working with the federal government on the East Coast. This unique, inclusive format allows small businesses the opportunity to maximize their time by attending small business training sessions and participating in a larger conference and exhibition as well. Separate registration is required.

The second annual Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Military Spouse Symposium on Thursday, June 19, will bring together military spouses of all services and those who support military families for opportunities of networking and discussion. Panel discussions will include Building a Strong Military Marriage and Military Benefits Update. Separate registration is required. 

The Joint Warfighting Conference is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for meals and separate registration is required for the Small Business conference and the Military Spouse Symposium. On-site registration is available beginning Monday, June 16. For details and a complete schedule of events please visit www.jointwarfighting.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, please visit www.afcea.org. 

Founded in 1873, the U.S. Naval Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan professional membership organization whose mission is to preserve and promote Naval Heritage and to provide an independent forum to address issues critical to national security. USNI hosts conferences, publishes Proceedings and Naval History magazines, and the Naval Institute Press publishes more than 75 professional and mission-related books a year. Visit www.usni.org for more information.

# # #