Fifth Annual Joint Warfighting Conference and Expo Returns to Virginia Beach

Conference Focuses on Successes of Joint and Coalition Warfare

FAIRFAX, Va., April 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The largest defense conference and exposition in the Hampton Roads region returns to the Virginia Beach Convention Center, May 10-12, 2011. The Joint Warfighting Conference is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, with support from the NDIA Greater Hampton Roads Chapter and the AFCEA Hampton Roads and Tidewater Chapters. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for luncheons.

At the Joint Warfighting Conference, senior military and government leaders and defense industry experts will address the theme "How Do We Leverage Successes of Joint and Coalition Warfare?" The conference, which is expected to draw over 5,000 attendees, will cover important issues facing the military. In addition, more than 150 information technology and defense exhibitors will showcase hundreds of technologies and solutions, including: Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare Equipment, Information Systems Security, Intelligence Gathering Systems, Satellite Communications, Weapons Systems and much more.

The conference theme and panel session topics are based on input from operating forces. Speakers and panel participants will voice their points of view and experiences with these issues, allowing attendees to benefit from their knowledge and candid discussion. Expert speakers include:

• ADM John C. Harvey, Jr., USN, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
• GEN Raymond T. Odierno, USA, Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command
• ADM Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations
• VAdm Robert G. Cooling, RN, Chief of Staff, Allied Command Transformation
• LtGen Robert E. Schmidle, Jr., USMC, Deputy Commander, U.S. Cyber Command

In addition, experts will dialogue on "China Factors: Are the Chinese Doing to Us What We Did to the Russians?":

• Mr. David Hartman, Author and former Host, Good Morning America
• The Honorable Wallace Gregson, Assistant Secretary of Defense, Asian and Pacific Security Affairs
• ADM Timothy J. Keating, USN (Ret.), former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
• Mr. Ronald O'Rourke, Specialist in National Defense, Congressional Research Service, and Author, China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities

Six panel sessions will provide attendees with opportunities to question experts about the latest policy and technology issues. Topics include future operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, irregular warfare, ballistic missile defense, cyber warfare, and the defense budget.

The Joint Warfighting Conference will also host the Department of the Navy IT East Coast Conference, May 9-12; the Navy Blue Coast Small Business Symposium, May 10-11; and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Military Spouse Symposium, May 12.

The Department of the Navy 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.

The fifth annual Navy Blue Coast Small Business Training and Opportunities Symposium, "Celebrating 100 Years of Naval Aviation," provides educational content to small businesses and offers an outreach opportunity for the Department of the Navy, AFCEA, and its member companies. 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 fifth annual Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Military Spouse Symposium will be held on Thursday, May 12. This event will provide a career workshop, an open forum with the Department of Defense State Liaison office and a career fair for military spouses and those working with military spouse and family issues. Separate registration is required. Spouses of all service members and ranks including active duty, National Guard, reserve and retired service members are welcome.

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 Symposium and the MOAA Military Spouse Symposium. On-site registration is available beginning Monday, May 9. 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.

The U.S. Naval Institute, founded in 1873, is the only non-profit, professional military association offering an independent, nonpartisan forum on sea power and national security issues. Its publications, conferences and heritage resources help military and civilians understand the role each plays in safeguarding national security – and our obligation to the men and women of the all-volunteer force who provide it. For more information, please visit www.usni.org.

SOURCE AFCEA International