The Charleston Defense Contractors Association (CDCA)—a non-profit advocacy group focused on the growth of defense and technology-related industries in the Charlestonarea—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. 

The CDCA Defense Summit is one of the largest defense-focused events on the East Coast, bringing together more than 1,000 Government, Military, Academia and Industry leaders to spark ideas, innovation, and solutions to our current and future National Defense digital challenges. Through industry exhibit demos, keynote addresses, innovation spotlights, and high energy tech exchanges, the Summit's 2020 goal is to provide an opportunity to form partnerships which result in achieving a National Defense digital edge that no adversary can match.

Invited Keynote Speakers for the upcoming Summit include:

Mr. James F. Guerts; Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development & Acquisition

Lieutenant General Eric Smith, US Marine Corps; Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command / Deputy Commandant, Combat Development & Integration    

Rear Admiral Charles B. Cooper II, US Navy; Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic   

Ms. Katie Arrington: Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition (OUSDA) for the Department of Defense (DoD)

Mr. William S. Williford III; Executive Director, Marine Corps Systems Command

This year's hot topics will include:

• Top Information Warfare Challenges in the Fleet Today

• Data Application Shortfalls in the Naval Operating Forces

• Enhancing Interoperability between the US Navy and US Coast Guard

• The Way Forward for Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations

• How 5G Can Enhance DoD Network Operations

• Developing a Cybersecurity Workforce

• Impacts of COVID 19 on the Defense Industrial Base

"The last six months or so have been challenging for everyone, but our industry has demonstrated the ability to quickly pivot to a digital environment without missing a beat.  While we are preparing for any number of scenarios for the upcoming Defense Summit, and our first priority is the safety of our members, we feel confident that we will be able to offer an in-person event by March 2021," stated Heather Walker, CDCA President. "So much of our collective success is built upon partnerships, collaboration and sharing of innovative ideas, and we hope to give our members and our government customers the opportunity to make tangible, valuable connections.  We hope to see the majority of our stakeholders face-to-face!"