CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
The 9th Annual Directed Energy Symposium The 9 th Annual Directed Energy Symposium will convene Sept. 2–3 , at National Harbor, Md. This event will feature leading experts, policymakers, leaders, and innovators across the Directed Energy community to explore the latest advancements and applications in directed energy systems and technologies to support the warfighter and national defense objectives. Discussions will highlight insights into the evolving landscape of directed energy warfare and the associated opportunities and challenges. The question is no longer whether directed energy works. The question is how fast government and industry can scale it, sustain it, The 5th Annual AI for Defense Summit will convene Sept. 2–3 at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Global Cam- pus for Architecture & Design® in Washington, D.C. The 2026 summit will bring together senior leaders and innovators from the Department of War, Intelligence community, fed- eral government, industry, and academia to explore how AI is being operationalized for national security. As AI con- tinues to transition from experimentation to deployment, the 2026 summit will highlight real-world applications that are enhancing decision-making, accelerating intelli- gence analysis, strengthening command and control, and enabling resilient and responsive warfighting capabilities across multi-domains. (Register here) Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition The National Defense Industrial Association will host the 2026 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition, Sept. 9–10 at the Walter E. Washington Conven- tion Center in Washington, D.C. Explore the innovations that will shape national security for the next century. Hear from technology leaders in government, defense industry, the commercial sector, and academia on cutting-edge devel- opments, operational needs, and business opportunities and fight with it. (Register here) AI for Defense Summit Women in Defense (WID) will sponsor their next Beyond the Horizon Webinar Series on Sept. 9 with a presentation en- titled “What to Say in the First 30 Seconds When the Stakes are High.” This session focuses on what leaders say in the first 30 seconds of a high-stakes moment, whether it be situ - ations involving military operations, crisis response, or ex - ecutive leadership. Learn practical approaches to stabilizing the moment, aligning the room, and setting the conditions for better decisions. Attendees will leave with clear, usable techniques they can apply immediately in difficult conver - sations and fast-moving situations. (Register here) in defense critical mission areas. (Register here) Beyond the Horizon Webinar Series
Women In Defense National Conference The Women In Defense (WID) National Conference will con- vene Sept. 14 at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View in Arlington, Va. The theme for the 2026 conference will be “AI Driven. Human Powered. Where Innovation Meets the Mission and the People Who Drive It.” Join WID mem- bers, government contractors, defense industry leaders, students, and transitioning professionals for a professional development experience at the intersection of cutting-edge technology, authentic connection, and durable leadership. (Register here) Air, Space, & Cyber Conference The 2026 Air, Space, & Cyber Conference, sponsored by the Air and Space Forces Association (AFA), will be held Sept. 14–16 , at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Cen- ter in National Harbor, Md. This event promotes the AFA’s fo- cus on providing expert military professional development, facilitates sharing of emerging requirements and technolo- gies, and helps fuel connections that advance the cause of airpower and spacepower. (Register here) Army Maneuver Warfighter Conference The Army Maneuver Warfighter Conference 2026 will be held Sept. 15–17 at the Maneuver Center of Excellence Headquarters, McGinnis-Wickam Hall, Fort Benning, Ga. The 2026 Conference & Expo will highlight advanced technol - ogy that supports readiness, mobility, protection, lethality, sustainment, or decision advantage. Those attending will be immersed in a working environment filled with program managers, acquisition leaders, capability developers, and operational commanders actively looking for solutions they can deploy. (Register here) Technical Data Rights Forum The Aerospace Industries Association/National Defense Industrial Association (AIA/NDIA) Technical Data Rights Forum will take place Sept. 16–17 at the AIA corporate of- fice in Arlington, Va. Join AIA’s Intellectual Property Com - mittee and NDIA’s Intellectual Property Working Group for a joint industry-government discussion on intellectual property and data rights’ newest regulatory and legislative developments, emerging trends, and mutual pain points. (Register here)
56 DEFENSE ACQUISITION ONLINE | JULY – AUGUST 2026
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