AFCEA WEST 2024 takes place next month, February 13-15, 2024, in San Diego, California. WEST is one of the premier sea services conferences and expositions on the West Coast bringing the current sea challenges from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard to industry, facilitating a dialogue to explore future naval platforms, technologies, and solutions.
On Tuesday, February 13th, the conference will kick off with a keynote address from ADM Lisa Franchetti, USN, Chief of Naval Operations, followed by speaker VADM Craig A. Clapperton, USN, Commander, Fleet Cyber Command speaking about the Navy Information Warfare Theater, and speaker Derrick T. Davis, Director for Industrial Cyber Security, Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs speaking on Project Spectrum and its impact on Small Businesses. Several panelists will be joining moderator VADM Peter H. Daly, USN (Ret.) in a panel to discuss changes leaders need to make to meet global security demands, and another panel will be led by ADM Scot H. Swift, USN (Ret.) addressing key capabilities numbered fleets need to address to meet global security demands. In between, there will be plenty of opportunities to visit exhibit booths, meet with Program Managers and Subject Matter Experts from the Navy Information Warfare Command (NAVWAR), listen to innovation showcases, attend an Industry Open House hosted by PEO Digital and Enterprise Services and PEO Manpower, Logistics, and Business Solutions, and much more.
On Wednesday, February 14th, the day will start off with a keynote address from ADM Samuael J. Paparo, USN, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, followed by VADM Kelly Aeschbach, USN, Commander, Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR), a conversation about Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise (JDDE), an update from RADM Douglas W. Small, USN, Commander, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR), and an afternoon keynote from VADM Peter W. Gautier, USCG, Deputy Commandant, Operations. The first panel of the day on acquisition innovating and adapting to meet requirements will be led by VADM Tom Moore, USN (Ret.), Former Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, with another on tools and technologies needed to enable information led by LTG Susan S. Lawrence, USA (Ret.), President and Chief Executive Officer, AFCEA International. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to visit more of the exhibit booths, speak with experts from various PEOs, Office of Naval Intelligence, and NAVWAR, get updates from the United States Marine Corps, attend more innovation showcases, and attend the Industry Engagement Day hosted by Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (PEO C4I). As usual, the 2nd day will close with the Women in AFCEA Appreciation Event led by speaker Jane Rathbun, Chief Information Officer, Department of the Navy.
The conference will conclude on Thursday, February 15th. The day will start with a keynote address by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy, Department of Defense, followed by Jennifer Edgin, Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2N6B), with updates on the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Final panels include one on the USMC Theater and force design led by Shery S. Thomas, Cyber Technology Officer, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, a panel on cooperation in the Indo-Pacific led by CAPT Scott Tait, USN (Ret.), Executive Director, National Security Innovation Catalyst and University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, a panel on if sea services have the resources they need to fulfill the National Security Strategy led by ADM Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (Ret.), Former Chief of Naval Operations, Department of Defense, and a panel on Marine Corps challenges in the Indo-PACOM theater led by Col Kwabena K. Gyimah, USMC, Assistant Chief of Staff G-6, I Marine Expeditionary Force. There are shortened exhibit hours, opportunities to speak to Navy staff in the Navy Information Warfare Engagement Zones, and several more innovation showcases. The final day of the conference will close with the Keynote Luncheon by Gen Eric M. Smith, USMC, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps.
AFCEA WEST is always a great opportunity to meet, network, and prepare for upcoming opportunities. To register for this year’s conference, go to: Registration Information & Categories/Fees.
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