Chapter Hosts Summer Tech Expo and Annual Golf Tournament

The chapter held their Annual Summer Tech Expo in July. The week started with a kick-off party at one of the local Belgian restaurants, allowing AFCEA members and industry partners a chance to have fun in preparation for the upcoming week. The morning of the Tech Expo started with a member breakfast and special guest speaker, Lt. Gen. Steven L. Basham, USAF, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. He discussed the importance of collaboration between industry and the armed forces, especially in the cyber field. He later commented on the need for industry and military communication, highlighting that there are times when the armed forces are unaware that industry partners own the capability needed, or that industry partners are unaware the armed forces need its capability. Further, Gen. Basham discussed the importance of connecting sensors to establish tactical C2 for the U.S. by, with and through allies and partners in Europe and Africa and how it ties to readiness and posture. "This is the type of environment for innovation." By this reference, he meant AFCEA. After closing remarks from Col. Neal Bruegger, USAF, chapter president, the expo began. The Summer Tech Expo was a great event, bringing in 62 vendors and more than 535 attendees-an increase from the previous five expos. In addition to the great vendor presence, there were seven Tech Talks throughout the two-day expo, allowing opportunity for the local populace to gain continued education units (CEUs). The chapter closed out a fantastic week, hosting the tournament. This gave AFCEA members, industry partners and the local base populace the chance to have some fun. The golf tournament had an 0800 shotgun start, where 95 golfers set out to claim victory. There were a few surprises on the way, to include a blindfolded closest-to-the-pin competition and a longest drive competition with a baseball bat. This made for some good laughs. The tournament concluded by raffling over 50 prizes, awarding the competition winners, and crowning the top three teams. July was a busy month for the chapter. In July, The Sixth Annual Cycle 4 STEM event started with 17 participants taking a train from Kaiserslautern up to Bonn, Germany. Then, the participants rode bicycles along the Rhine River for three days, covering over 230 kilometers and ending their journey in Weilerbach, Germany. Why would someone ride that far? For a great cause, of course. In this case, it was to raise funds for local STEM programs. All the proceeds will be used within the chapter to supply local U.S. Department of Defense schools with grants, scholarships and STEM equipment. This year's event raised over $32,000 in donations and equipment. The participation from the local AFCEA community and the support given by generous sponsors made all of the events a great success.

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