Why AFCEA? To Catapult Your Business from Obscurity to a Recognized Brand
My journey with AFCEA International began in 2005, when I served as an educational counselor on Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts. It was then I witnessed the impactful work of the AFCEA Lexington Concord Chapter's Educational Foundation in raising funds for local communities.
I took a lead role in a groundbreaking initiative started by volunteer Shannon Sullivan to provide book scholarships for airmen. This initiative, combined with tuition assistance, offered a $0 solution for airmen to secure a degree. Over the years, my involvement with AFCEA expanded, and I collaborated with the AFCEA Los Angeles Chapter and Steve Scott to implement and award high school scholarships to military children.
The spirit of generosity extended beyond scholarships, as AFCEA collaborated with local industry associations to bring genuine value to the community. As president of the spouses' club, I witnessed firsthand how AFCEA contributed resources to fulfill pressing needs.
In 2015, I transitioned to being an AFCEA employee, spearheading AFCEA Small Business programs and initiatives. The transition from AFCEA's philanthropic arm to membership was seamless, driven by my belief in AFCEA's mission and its significance in the government and contracting (GovCon) market space.
In 2019, I pursued the industry marketspace, transitioning from an AFCEA employee to a volunteer. Remaining actively engaged, I attended events, volunteered for chapter events and served on the AFCEA Small Business Committee (SBC). In 2022, as I launched my own business, my first strategic move was to join AFCEA as a corporate member. Most of my clients today have been sourced from my AFCEA network.
Currently, I proudly serve as the chair of the SBC, contribute to AFCEA Belvoir and International's fundraising golf tournaments to support the Educational Foundation, and sponsor local events with AFCEA NOVA chapter. Strategic sponsorships, including AFCEA TechNet Cyber and AFCEA TechNet Emergence, have catapulted my business from obscurity to a recognized brand.
My experience with AFCEA has taught me that you get out of it what you put into it. The key to my company's success lies in the relationships formed through AFCEA—relationships built by showing up, contributing and investing in meaningful conversations. If you're looking to elevate your business and build lasting connections, AFCEA is the place to be.
Katie Helwig is president of Mild Red LLC.
