Air, Space & Cyber 2017 Breaks Records
AFA held its annual National Convention, September 16-17 and Air, Space & Cyber Conference, September 18-20, in National Harbor, Md. This year’s conference was one of the most successful events hosted by AFA, breaking registration and attendance records.
The conference registered over 9,000 attendees for the first time ever, a 24 percent increase from the previous year. The event featured 137 exhibiting organizations, displaying their latest technological advancements throughout the 100,000 square foot exposition hall.
Over 100 distinguished speakers participated on 31 panels, including keynote addresses provided by Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, Air Force Chief of Staff General David Goldfein, and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright.
Secretary Wilson announced that the Air Force will be conducting a year-long Science and Technology review to update its research priorities and strategy by identifying high priority research areas, evaluating how the Air Force can more productively partner with non-federal research areas and guide the Air Force in adjusting ways to remain technologically dominant in the future.
The theme for this year’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference was “Breaking Barriers: Heritage to Horizons.” AFA celebrated the Air Force’s 70th birthday by highlighting seven decades of breaking barriers through heritage, innovation and teamwork.
AFA honored the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the office of Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force by holding a tribute panel featuring several former CMSAFs.
AFA’s 34th Annual Air Warfare Symposium will be held February 21-23, 2018 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, FL. Registration is slated to open in early November 2017. To learn more about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, please contact Fred Ullman at fullman@afa.org.
The 2018 Air, Space & Cyber Conference will again be hosted at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, September 17-19, 2018. Information regarding exhibit opportunities and registration can be found at www.afa.org.