Join us on Thursday, September 7, 2023, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) at the Emerging Technology Institute, 16824 NC- 211, Red Springs, NC 28377 for an exciting event focused on defense manufacturing. The Inaugural Defense Manufacturing Summit and Exhibition will be hosted by Emerging Technology Institute (ETI), and partners, NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions (IES), Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corporation and Children of Fallen Heroes. The event will connect manufacturers with Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, regional manufacturers, research and development facilities, manufacturing and academic resources.

Meet industry leaders, exchange ideas, attend informative sessions and explore the latest technologies and innovations in the field. The exhibition will feature cutting-edge products and services from top companies in the industry.

There will be informative sessions from 9 a.m. until 2:15 p.m., networking opportunities from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., a 9/11 remembrance, live demonstrations and food trucks on location throughout the day.

There is no charge to attend or to exhibit but registration is required. We are accepting up to 50 vendors, register now and secure your spot at the Defense Manufacturing Summit and Exhibition! Vendor registration ends August 17.

Please note: there are two different registration forms (tickets), one for attendees (“General Admission”) and one for exhibitors (“Vendor Registration”). Please submit the appropriate form.

Who Should Attend?

• The event is open to all manufacturers, economic development organizations, defense industry supply chain, veterans transition groups, entrepreneurs and academia.
• Any manufacturers that have interest in learning, understanding or possibly entering the DoD/federal marketplace
• All manufacturers and supply chain manufacturers currently manufacturing products for the DoD
• Textile manufacturers, researchers and entrepreneurs interested learning about the opportunities available through the North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP)The purpose of the NC DMCSP grant is to support innovation in advanced textiles and wearables for the survivability, performance and lethality of the warfighter.

Disclaimer: This North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program event was developed with financial support from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), Department of Defense. The content of this event does not necessarily reflect the views of the OLDCC. It is meant to provide business information to defense contractors and others interested in the defense industry.

Defense Manufacturing Summit and Exhibition Objectives:

• Engage with existing defense manufacturers and attract new capable businesses into the defense manufacturing marketplace.
• Engage existing supply chain manufacturers and attract new capable businesses into the defense marketplace and to connect these component suppliers with federal prime manufacturers.
• Inform the industrial and academic research and development ecosystem about desired future military technology requirements. Inform DoD agencies about emerging and future manufacturing innovations.
• Establish a productive and direct dialogue between businesses, government and academia around critical warfighter issues in the defense manufacturing marketplace – including workforce, supply chain, inflation challenges and barriers to entry.

Defense Manufacturing Summit and Exhibition Agenda:

Thursday, September 7, 2023

8-9 a.m.
Networking with vendors and participants

9-9:30 a.m.
Welcome and overview of day’s activities
James Freeman, Founder and President, Emerging Technology Institute
Ed Henderson, Mayor, Red Springs, NC

9:30-10:15 a.m.
Two concurrent sessions
Session 1: Innovation in Defense Manufacturing
Emil Runge, Director of Programs, First Flight Venture Center
Steve McManus, Innovation Advisor, RTI, International
Session 2: Textile Manufacturing and the NC Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP)
Michael Mullins, Director, Defense Industry Initiatives, NC State University, Industry Expansion Solutions
Giles Beal, Client Relations Manager, Defense Industry Initiatives, NC State University, Industry Expansion Solutions

10:30-11:15 a.m.
Two concurrent sessions
Session 3: Veterans Transition
Aaron Harper, Vice President of Veteran Employment, Veterans Bridge Home
Patrick Davis, Executive Director, The Heroes Center
Lauren Houston, Employment Counselor, North Carolina National Guard Employment Center
Bill McMillan, Transition Services Manager, Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Session 4: Finding Advanced Technologies in the Medical Field
Steve DeLellis, Executive Director, Fort Liberty Research Institute
Dennis McGurk, Department of Defense (DoD) Strategic Account Executive (SAE), RTI International

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Session 5: What’s Happening in North Carolina
Senator Danny Britt, Jr., District 24
Representative John Torbett, District 108
Representative Jarrod Lowery, District 47

12:30-1:15 p.m.
National Anthem, 9/11 Commemoration, Skydiving Exhibition (tentative)
Ken Wasley, President and Founder, Children of Fallen Heroes

1:30-2:15 p.m.
Two concurrent sessions
Session 6: Cybersecurity for Manufacturers
Laura Rodgers, Director of Cybersecurity Practice, Secure Commuting Institute and Director, NC Partnership for Cybersecurity Excellence, NC State University
Lori Jackson, CISSP, CCP, RP, President at White Raven Security, LLC
Session 7: Introduction to Federal Contracting
Daniel Quinn, Federal Business Development, NC Military Business Center
Trent Ensley, Federal Business Development, NC Military Business Center

2:15-3 p.m.
Networking with vendors and participants

3 p.m.
Event concludes
James Freeman, Founder and President, Emerging Technology Institute