FORT BELVOIR, Va., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Defense Logistics Agency is hosting its 2011 Industry Conference and Exhibition, formerly known as the Enterprise Supplier Conference and Exhibition, June 27-30, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio.

The conference name was changed to the DLA Industry Conference and Exhibition to broaden the scope of the event and to encourage both potential and current suppliers of each of the agency's supply chains to attend. DLA's eight supply chains include subsistence, medical, clothing and textile, construction and equipment, fuel/energy, and land, maritime and aviation systems.

Approximately 3,000 people attended last year's conference to learn more on how to do business with DLA. In addition to the name change this year, an extra day has been added for conference participants to learn more about partnering with DLA. The conference will also highlight DLA's 50th birthday. The agency was established on Oct. 1, 1961, and was then known as the Defense Supply Agency, before officially changing to its present name in 1977.  

The conference will feature speakers from the Department of Defense, military services and DLA, informative breakout sessions, and exhibits from DLA headquarters, its field activities and major suppliers. Breakout session topics include presentations on Performance Based Logistics, procurement integrity, alternative fuels, reverse auctioning, doing business with DLA and support to small businesses, along with sessions sponsored by each of DLA's supply chains.

Confirmed speakers include Navy Vice Adm. Alan S. Thompson, DLA's director; Shay Assad, director of Defense Procurement, Acquisition Policy and Strategic Sourcing; Navy Vice Adm. William R. Burke, deputy chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics; and Teresa McKay, director of the Defense Financial and Accounting Service. Other guest speakers include Patrick Fitzgerald, director of the Defense Contract Audit Agency; Daniel I. Gordon, administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy; and Robert F. Hale, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller).

This year's conference theme is "Sustaining Warfighter Support while Reducing Cost," highlighting the agency's role in providing worldwide logistics support while continuing to focus on Secretary of Defense Robert Gate's goal of reducing costs and creating efficiencies.

Suppliers can showcase their capabilities by exhibiting at the conference. For additional information about the conference, to register or to arrange an exhibit, go to the National Defense Industrial Association website at http://www.ndia.org/meetings/1780/Pages/default.aspx.

As a Department of Defense combat support agency, DLA provides the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, other federal agencies, and joint and allied forces with a variety of logistics, acquisition and technical services. The agency sources and provides nearly 100 percent of the consumable items America's military forces need to operate, from food, fuel and energy, to uniforms, medical supplies, and construction and barrier equipment. DLA also supplies more than 80 percent of the military's spare parts.

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., DLA has about 27,000 employees worldwide and supports about 1,900 weapon systems. For more information about DLA, go to www.dla.mil,  www.facebook.com/dla.mil or http://twitter.com/dlamil.

SOURCE Defense Logistics Agency