CDCA's 2024 Eastern Defense Summit once again shatters attendance records, continues rapid growth
Friday, December 20, 2024
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The CDCA’s second annual Eastern Defense Summit saw nearly 15 percent attendance growth and featured distinguished guests from across the country.
CHARLESTON, S.C. . – The second annual Eastern Defense Summit (EDS), hosted by the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA), was another in a long line of successes as the summit continues to grow at a rapid rate.
This year, 2,266 people attended the summit, a growth of about 13 percent in attendance from last year’s inaugural EDS. Exhibitor booths were sold out as a record 150 companies in the defense industry showcased their tools to collaborate
with the U.S. military to address America’s pacing threats, which was this year’s EDS theme.
As always, local schools were invited to EDS to showcase their STEM robotics projects to defense industry and military leaders.
This year’s EDS Pitch Jam, which allows companies to pitch their products for investment opportunities, resulted in nine separate companies receiving investment funds. The total amount of investment funds given to these companies added up
to $150,000.
In the Artificial Intelligence category, ManTech placed first and received a $35,000 investment. In the Maritime EMS Constructive Simulator category, The Royce Group earned the top prize and an investment of $35,000. The Charles Stark Draper
Lab won $35,000 in the Triad of Autonomy Challenge.
Second and third place winners were awarded $15,000 each. Along with high-ranking military dignitaries from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force, leaders in the defense industry and distinguished academics, Master Sgt. Earl
D. Plumlee (Ret.), one of only 60 living Medal of Honor Recipients, spoke at the EDS.
For 15 years, the CDCA Defense Summit was held in Charleston, as it is today; however, it was rebranded to EDS in 2023.
“I’m so thankful to the CDCA team for all the effort they put into making the EDS a consistent success,” said Gary Jaffe, CDCA’s President. “Knowing the CDCA’s dedication to our flagship event, I can proudly and confidently say that EDS is,
and will remain, a premier defense industry conference. We expect it not only to keep growing, but to grow into one of the largest defense conferences in the country. I’m also thankful to all of our attendees, exhibitors and especially to our speakers
who took time out of their busy schedules to be with us this year. We’re already in the planning phase for next year’s summit, which we expect to be even bigger and better than this year’s.”
About The CDCA:
Founded in 2002, the Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA) protects, preserves, strengthens and grows the United States’ defense industrial base in order to deliver solutions to advance our
military readiness and capabilities. The CDCA represents more than 300 member organizations who support all six branches of America’s armed forces. Additionally, the CDCA engages the defense community through meaningful collaboration to strengthen national
security and global stability. The organization hosts the annual Eastern Defense Summit, one of the largest defense industry conferences in on the east coast . To learn more about CDCA or to join, visit: https://www.charlestondca.org/join-us-overview.
For media-related inquiries, please contact our PR firm at 813-279-8335 or by emailing news@judgepr.com
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