2026 Eastern Defense Summit


EDS2025




December 8-10, 2026




Registration opens in September 2026



The 2026 Eastern Defense Summit

An Operationally Essential Summit in a Strategic Location

The Eastern Defense Summit is the premier defense-focused event on the East Coast, bringing together more than 2,300 government, military, academic, and industry leaders to address the most pressing threats to national security. As global challenges intensify, the Eastern Defense Summit is mission-essential - driving collaboration that ensures the United States out paces our adversaries in strategic foresight, technical capabilities, and operational execution.

Held in Charleston, SC - a region with a powerful industry and military presence, including Joint Base Charleston, NIWC Atlantic, the Marine Corps, the Army, and the Coast Guard - the Summit is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of defense innovation and operational readiness. The Lowcountry’s defense ecosystem fosters seamless collaboration between industry and warfighters, ensuring that solutions discussed at the Eastern Defense Summit translate directly into real-world capability needs and operational impact.

The Summit’s theme, “Collaborating on actionable solutions for our nation’s pacing threats - Enabling the Joint Mission: Technologies that Deliver Capabilities ,” underscores the urgent need for near-term solutions that enhance U.S. defense capabilities. With a strong focus on technological convergence, interoperability, and rapid capability development, the Eastern Defense Summit serves as a catalyst for innovation, tactical coordination, and force modernization.

Through high-impact exhibits, cutting-edge demonstrations, real-world training, innovation spotlights, and dynamic technical exchanges, attendees gain mission-essential insights to enhance operational readiness. This Summit is not just a platform for discussion – it is a strategic engine for actionable outcomes, where workforce partnerships and technological advancements translate into decisive tactical advantage no foreign adversary can match.

The Eastern Defense Summit will be held in-person only at the Charleston Area Convention Center in North Charleston, SC - a strategic hub where military and industry converge to shape the future of national defense.

Summit Information:summit@charlestondca.org
Registration Information:cdcaregistration@spargoinc.com
Exhibit/Sponsor Information:sponsors@charlestondca.org


REGISTRATION FEES: (Registration includes lunch both days of the Summit)
  • •  Early Bird - (register before October 16, 2026)
  • •  Advanced - (register between October 16, 2026 and December 6, 2026)
  • •  On-site - (register on or after December 7, 2026)
  • •  Government and Active Duty – Free

 Watch our Eastern Defense Summit promos and videos featured both online and broadcast





Summit Media Registration



 Charleston Area Convention Center location and directions


 

 

Contact Us

P.O. Box 61089
Charleston, SC 29419
843-906-7330

info@charlestondca.org

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