Charleston Defense Contractors Association sponsoring city’s designation as ‘Coast Guard Community’

Charleston Defense Contractors Association sponsoring city’s designation as ‘Coast Guard Community’

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) is sponsoring a Friday event with the Greater Charleston Council of the U.S. Navy League, the Coast Guard and Charleston County where the city of Charleston will be designated an official “Coast Guard Community.” 

Registration open for inaugural Eastern Defense Summit in North Charleston

Registration open for inaugural Eastern Defense Summit in North Charleston

Formerly known as the CDCA Defense Summit, the first Eastern Defense Summit will be held on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Charleston Area Convention Center.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Registration for the first Eastern Defense Summit, formerly known as the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) Defense Summit, is now open to the general public. The theme for this year’s event will be “collaborating on actionable solutions for our nation’s pacing threats”. It will highlight the growing threats from foreign entities around the world.

The inaugural event will be held on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston.

CDCA has spent nearly two decades bringing together Department of Defense civilian, military and industry leaders from across the United States. This year, the Eastern Defense Summit will connect more than 2,000 experts across the defense industry, government, active-duty and academia to address today’s challenges and foster cross-service collaboration in an effort to better support the warfighter and identify solutions to assist in their duty to protect and defend the United States from foreign threats.

The Eastern Defense Summit will showcase many DoD agencies – the Naval Information Warfare Command (NAVWAR), Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Information Warfare Center, Atlantic (NIWC Atlantic), United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard – and more. For the most current Program Agenda, please refer to: https://www.charlestondca.org/cdca-summit-16

The following is the registration fee structure:

Advanced - $675
(Register between October 11, 2023 and December 4, 2023)
On-site - $775
(Register on or after December 5, 2023)

For government and active-duty military personnel with an active .GOV or .MIL email address, registration is free.

Lunch is included for registrants on both days of the conference.

“We’re thrilled for the inaugural Eastern Defense Summit,” said Gary Jaffe, president of CDCA. “We expect this year’s conference to be our most expansive yet and look forward to bringing defense industry leaders and their counterparts in government and academia together for a productive and informative event.”

Those interested in attending the Eastern Defense Summit can register by visiting: https://www.charlestondca.org/cdca-summit-16.

 Members of the media interested in attending the summit can register by visiting: https://www.charlestondca.org/media-registration.

About The CDCA:
The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) supports the defense community in the Charleston metro area, South Carolina and the Southeast U.S. The CDCA advocates defense issues with the community and represents its members with the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force and other Government agencies in the area and surrounding regions. The CDCA also provides input on issues and initiatives to the broader community in such areas as education, small business mentoring and congressional affairs. To learn more about CDCA or to join, visit:  https://www.charlestondca.org/join-us-overview.

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Eastern Defense Summit to be held in Charleston this December, as one of the largest defense conferences in U.S. undergoes rebrand Formerly the CDCA Defense Summit

Eastern Defense Summit to be held in Charleston this December, as one of the largest defense conferences in U.S. undergoes rebrand Formerly the CDCA Defense Summit

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) announced Monday that they are rebranding their annual CDCA Defense Summit to appeal to a wider audience of defense contractors, government, and military organizations. The conference will now be called the Eastern Defense Summit, a CDCA event.

CDCA promotes Paula Callahan to executive director

CDCA promotes Paula Callahan to executive director

CHARLESTON, S.C. –  The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA), one of the largest defense organizations in the southeastern U.S., announced that Paula Callahan has been promoted to executive director after serving as its operations executive since 2018.

Charleston Defense Contractors Association to celebrate 20 years with largest event in organization’s history

Charleston Defense Contractors Association to celebrate 20 years with largest event in organization’s history

CHARLESTON, S.C. – One of the largest defense conferences in the southeastern U.S. plans to be even bigger this year following a record-breaking event in 2021. The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) announced that registration is currently open for the 2022 CDCA Defense Summit scheduled to take place Dec. 7-8 at the Charleston Area Convention Center, just days after the organization’s 20-year anniversary.

CDCA announces new president, key leadership changes following annual election

CDCA announces new president, key leadership changes following annual election

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) announced Monday that their organization has officially implemented new leadership within its board of directors to include new board members following their 21st annual election. This included the appointment of a new president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary for the CDCA.

CDCA Defense Summit Date Set for 2022 Following Record-Breaking Event

CDCA Defense Summit Date Set for 2022 Following Record-Breaking Event

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) announced Thursday that the 15th Annual CDCA Defense Summit will be held Dec. 6-8, 2022 following this year’s event, which saw record-breaking attendance and sponsorships, as well as sold-out exhibitor space.

Less than 2 weeks remain for contest submissions, winners receive $30K in total rewards across 2 topics

Less than 2 weeks remain for contest submissions, winners receive $30K in total rewards across 2 topics

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Less than two weeks remain for those who are interested in submitting innovative technology concepts to the Palmetto Tech Bridge Pitch Jam Prize Challenge 2021 with the deadline ending on Sept. 19.

Largest defense summit in eastern U.S. selects Tampa PR firm with defense, counterterrorism, tech roots

Largest defense summit in eastern U.S. selects Tampa PR firm with defense, counterterrorism, tech roots

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Defense Contractors Association, which hosts one of the largest annual defense leadership summits in the eastern U.S., has selected Judge Public Relations to represent the organization and their events through at least 2022, the CDCA announced Monday.

Charleston Defense Contractors Association Lauds Reps. Cunningham, Wilson & SC Delegation for Securing $5 Million in Tech Innovation Funding

Charleston Defense Contractors Association Lauds Reps. Cunningham, Wilson & SC Delegation for Securing $5 Million in Tech Innovation Funding

Leading Defense Nonprofit Worked Closely with U.S. Representatives Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) to Drive Nonpartisan Federal Funding to Support Defense Innovation in the Lowcountry

The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) reveals early invited speaker lineup for 14th Annual Defense Summit

 The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) reveals early invited speaker lineup for 14th Annual Defense Summit

The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA)—a non-profit advocacy group focused on the growth of defense and technology-related industries in the Charleston area—today announced the opening of registration for the 14th Annual Defense Summit to be hosted by CDCA March 2-4, 2021 at the North Charleston Convention Center.

Charleston Defense Contractors Association Lauds Reps. Cunningham, Wilson & SC Delegation for Securing $5 Million in Tech Innovation Funding

Charleston Defense Contractors Association Lauds Reps. Cunningham, Wilson & SC Delegation for Securing $5 Million in Tech Innovation Funding

Leading Defense Nonprofit Worked Closely with U.S. Representatives Joe Cunningham (D-SC) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) to Drive Nonpartisan Federal Funding to Support Defense Innovation in the Lowcountry

Warfighting Innovation is the Focus for the Southeast’s Largest Defense Summit

CDCA’s 13th Annual Defense Summit Brings Together Top Public and Private Influencers to Address Hot Issues Like Cybersecurity, Digital Transformation, Cloud, AI, and more

CHARLESTON, SC – Oct. 29, 2019 – The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA)—a non-profit defense advocacy group focused on the growth of defense and technology—today announced top-level speakers and sponsors for the 13th Annual CDCA Defense Summit. Held Dec. 11-12, 2019 at the Charleston Convention Center, this year’s theme “Accelerate to Dominate: Increasing the Speed of Warfighting Innovation” will draw nearly 1,200 defense leaders and industry experts from around the nation.

Hot topics this year will include the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Katie Arrington, Chief Information Security Officer (CISCO) for the DoD’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition will present the particulars around the recently announced framework. “Uncompromised security is invaluable to our nation. The new cybersecurity standards will eliminate the current disparate, scattered requirements, and get everyone on a level playing field to ensure we work together collaboratively,” stated Arrington. “It is an honor to address government and defense industry leaders at the Defense Summit and help increase awareness about the new certification requirements.”

Attendees will learn about topics revolving around end-to-end IT enterprise technology and its impact on defense, national security, and the Warfighter through robust sessions, activities, and the tradeshow. The event also features, unique events developed to maximize engagement and education around players in the market, including:

  • Speed-Networking Event returns this year to provide access to high-level decision-makers and give conference attendees a chance to speak with and meet key DoD officials.

  • 2nd Annual Innovation Spotlight Competition allows CDCA Defense Summit Sponsor and CDCA Member companies to compete for the top defense technology innovative product.

  • Cloud-Focused Technical Trainings offered by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft.

Last year’s Innovation Spotlight winner, Netizen Corporation CEO Michael Hawkins shared, “The CDCA is the most active group we’ve engaged in. The publicity we gained through the Innovation Spotlight was the single most important marketing tool we’ve used for our company to-date. The exposure allowed us to increase headcount and speed the development to market our products.”

This year’s Defense Summit topics include the 12 points of the National Defense Strategy. Here is an early list of topics, speakers, and sponsors:

  • Thought-Leading Topics—This year’s Summit topics will discuss: Digital Transformation for the Warfighter, The Need for Whole-of-Government Approach, Accelerating Technology Development, CMMC, Innovating the Operational Architecture, Information Warfare Digital Execution, Model-Based Systems Engineering, Cloud Computer, Artificial Intelligence, Competing with the Adversary, Workforce Development, and much more.

  • Thought-Leader Speakers—An impressive and growing list of government and industry leaders will speak, including Darlene Coen, NASA Solutions for Enterprise-Acquisition Contract (SEWP) Deputy Program Manager; Brigadier General Lorna Mahlock, Director C4; Vicki Michetti, Director Cybersecurity Policy and Partnerships, Office of the DCIO-Cybersecurity, DoD; Lieutenant General Lori Reynolds, Deputy Commandant Information, United States Marine Corps; Don Sallee, NIWC-Atlantic IWRP Program Manager; David Smoak, NIWC-Atlantic Systems Engineering Lead

  • Industry Sponsors—The expanding list of government, defense, and leading technology companies supporting this annual conference at varying levels of sponsorship includes, Guidehouse, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Illumio, KBR, MacAfee, Patricio Enterprises, Inc., SAIC, Sentar, and Scientific Research Corporation, to name a few.

“Scientific Research Corporation is proud to be the Titanium Sponsor for the CDCA’s 13th Annual Defense Summit,” shared Greg Hays, senior director market development, Scientific Research Corporation. “As a multi-year supporter, we know sponsoring the conference gives us the opportunity to show our commitment to customers and the community while offering face-to-face leadership attention and delivering superior quality information warfare capabilities that are critical to our nation. We look forward to having conversations and building relationships surrounding technology-dominant support.”

Sponsorship opportunities and exhibitor space are still available. Media registration is available free of charge. Learn more or register at https://www.charlestondca.org/summit

Innovation Spotlight submissions are due no later than Nov. 15. For more information email: summit@charlestondca.org.

With months of exciting developments still to come, the CDCA’s 13th Annual Defense Summit promises to be a must-do conference for any leader in government and defense.

Register for the CDCA Defense Summit now and save! Go to: https://www.charlestondca.org/summit

About Charleston Defense Contractors Association

Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) is an association of organizations and individual professionals dedicated to preserving, strengthening and continuing to grow the defense industry and its affiliated-organizations in Charleston, South Carolina, and its immediate surrounding region.  Since its inception in December 2002, the CDCA has worked to address issues facing the continually changing landscape that is Charleston’s defense industry presence and ensure that it continues to be a thriving, sustained business opportunity in Charleston, South Carolina. For further information, visit us at http://www.charlestondca.org/

Media Contacts:

Michelle Van Jura, Intersect Communications
310.420.4062, michelle@intersectcom.com     

 Joy Capps, Intersect Communications
843.730.3857, joy@intersectcom.com

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