Defense Innovation Days, the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA)’s annual three-day national event highlighting innovation and technology in the defense arena, will be held Monday, August 28 – Wednesday, August 30 at the Newport Marriott in Newport, Rhode Island.
SENEDIA’s fourth annual Defense Innovation Days event will feature national leaders from the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, Congress, and Industry to discuss innovation from the undersea technology, cybersecurity, and warfighter’s perspectives.
“This event provides a forum where policymakers and business leaders in the defense space can engage and learn from one another,” said Molly Donohue Magee, SENEDIA Executive Director.
The event has sold out in each of the past three years. It has featured prominent speakers such as Former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel calling Southeastern New England “the Silicon Valley of Undersea Technology” at the first conference; Former Under Secretary of Defense Frank Kendall premiering Better Buying Power 3.0 in his remarks; and Former Under Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy promoting public-private partnerships as critical and the new norm to doing more with less in defense.
U.S. Senators and Representatives from Connecticut (Senator Murphy and Congressman Courtney), and Rhode Island have all spoken at past events as well. U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been a keynote speaker each year. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and Congressman Langevin (RI) have provided insights into cybersecurity policy, while Congressman Cicilline (RI) has discussed how foreign affairs impacts defense.
Defense Innovation Days brings together companies who are developing cutting edge innovations with policymakers who are helping steer the nation’s defense strategy. Policymakers will have an opportunity to speak to those companies, both big and small, and give them insight into future acquisition opportunities.
Raytheon and General Dynamics are the Platinum Sponsors of the event. Northrop Grumman is the Silver Sponsor. Bronze Sponsors include Dell, Evans Capacitor Company, iXblue, Mercury Systems, NAVATEK, Progeny Systems, Purvis Systems, Rite Solutions, and SAIC.
SENEDIA is the region’s catalyst for thought leadership and technical innovation in undersea technology, cybersecurity and other critical defense technologies. Its mission is to enable the development of the innovative technology, foster thought leadership, and facilitate the required economic and workforce development.
For more information on Defense Innovation Days, visit www.DefenseInnovationDays.com.