NDIA hosting 13th annual Midwest Government Contracting Symposium

After a COVID-19 related hiatus, the Midwest Government Contracting Symposium will be back in full force on Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 25 and 26, at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in downtown Moline. 

The 13th annual event, sponsored by the Iowa-Illinois Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), will offer the latest information and tips on doing business in the government contracting space. Attendees will have a chance to meet with key government and industry experts in person. 

Organizers said the event took a break in 2020 and 2021, but has returned with a full slate of speakers and topics geared to help businesses navigate government contracting. Topics to be discussed this year include: 

• The U.S. Army’s new Multi Domain Operations Doctrine and what it means to industry.
• Organic Industrial Base (OIB)/Supply Chain, Network and Mission Command issues, initiatives and successes. 
• Government contracting successes. 
• Small business rules update and focus. 

According to the NDIA chapter, recent world events such as COVID-19, cyberattacks and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have exposed unique challenges to the U.S. OIB, Supply Chain and the ability to conduct secure communication/Mission Command even in the homeland.

Participants are invited to hear how the Army is innovating and exploiting emerging technology to sustain the OIB, Supply Chain and Mission Command on the digital battlefield through data-driven decisions and investments.  

The Iowa-Illinois NDIA chapter, an arm of the nationwide NDIA, will bring in Army leadership to examine the recent world current events and how the Army’s new Multidomain Operations Doctrine will sustain the industrial base, supply chain and communications. 

In addition to the conference and networking opportunities, attendees also can enjoy a Tuesday night dinner cruise aboard the Celebration Belle Riverboat, Moline. Cruise tickets are $25 (purchase at time of registration).

General admission for the symposium is $310; $280 for NDIA members. Government employees may attend for free and may purchase meals: $10, breakfast, $25 for lunch and dinner. To register, visit here. 

The NDIA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It is America’s leading defense industry association. The Iowa-Illinois NDIA chapter, founded in 1945, covers Iowa and western Illinois to help further the national association’s objectives and policies.