The Iowa-Illinois Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is preparing to host its 16th Annual Midwest Government Contracting Symposium on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3 and 4 at the Vibrant Arena at the Mark, Moline.
Organizers said this year’s event focuses on examining the recent current events throughout the world and how the nation’s Defense Department will sustain and grow the U.S. Industry Base, Supply Chain, and Mission Command.
Attendees will gain vital insight into the latest information in government contracting and Army Doctrine. They also will have the chance to network with key government and industry experts.
Registration still is open for those interested in learning more about government contracting. This year’s theme is “Innovative Transformations in Defense.”
The event comes on the heels of a May 13 news conference hosted by Quad Cities elected leaders. There they shared concerns over possible federal budget cuts that could reduce as many as 400 jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal. They also were critical of plans to merge two arsenal entities, the Army Sustainment Command (ASC) and the Joint Munitions Command (JMC). The event was designed to rally support for the Arsenal and its workforce.
NDIA symposium speakers Tuesday include: Col. David Guida of the Joint Manufacturing Technology Center (JMTC); John Campbell, acting deputy to the JMC commander; Major General Timothy Brennan, deputy commander general, 1st Army; and David Boulay, the president of IMEC. The afternoon will include sessions with Jim Coffman, director of Acquisition Integration and Management Center; Brittany Benson, Vista Innovative Solutions; and Ryan Pierce, acting assistant director of the Office of Small Business Programs – Rock Island.
Matchmaking available
A panel will discuss Small Business Best Practices. It will be followed by a Speed Connect matchmaking session with several area contractors. A reception at Iron Tee Golf in Bettendorf will close out the first day.
Other speakers will represent the American Ordnance, AUSA Rock Island Arsenal Chapter, JMTC and the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance. The keynote on Wednesday will be Joshua Frank, a business coach, speaker and author. He will discuss “Government 2.0: How to Survive, Thrive and Emerge from Disruption in the Federal Marketplace.”
For a full schedule, including Wednesday’s lineup and register for the symposium visit https://ndia-ia-il.org/events/.
The Quad Cities region is home to thousands of individuals and businesses that contract with organizations on the Rock Island Arsenal. It ranks as the third most industrially diverse area in the United States. That makes the symposium a critical resource to its attendees and sponsors.
The NDIA is the nation’s leading Defense Industry Association promoting national security. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, it is a non-partisan, non-profit association. The local Iowa Illinois chapter was founded in 1945. The local chapter’s president is Natalie Linville-Mass of MediaLink.
