NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) drew nearly 18,000 registered attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to its annual Air, Space & Cyber Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center Sept. 22-24.
The Air, Space & Cyber Conference is a premier professional development program for the Air Force and Space Force. It allows Air Force leaders to share priorities with the services, industry and policymakers.
The three-day event featured 170 speakers, including the first major address from the new Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Troy Meink.
During his speech, Meink stressed that the U.S. must “innovate faster than our adversaries” as the gap in air and space superiority has narrowed significantly, particularly with China’s focused advancement in these domains.
Despite political turbulence and shifting budgets, attendance was only slightly down from 2024, with the total remaining consistent with 2023 and exceeding 2022. Organizers said AFA leadership continue to support the conference, underscoring its role in connecting military, industry and government stakeholders.
“We’re pleased with the phenomenal support and interaction we saw with our Air Force, Space Force and industry partners. We’ve heard nothing but positive reports about the outstanding professional development and networking opportunities afforded by this gathering,” AFA President and CEO Lt. Gen. Burt Field, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) said.
The event’s theme, “Achieving Decisive Advantage in an Age of Growing Threats,” led to discussion on critical operations and strategic priorities with particular emphasis on recent military successes.
“Our exhibitors tell us that our networking receptions and exhibit hall space afford them the opportunity to meet with more top Department of the Air Force leaders in just three days than might otherwise be possible in more than a year,” Amy Hudson, Director of Communications for the AFA, said.
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Following overwhelming demand, a second exhibit hall was added last year, with a third planned for 2026.
Organizers also fine-tuned the association’s on-site studio, which remains in its early stages. This year’s studio programming included daily analysis of conference sessions, live podcasts from the Doolittle Leadership Center, trivia and, for the first time, a panel session. The content was broadcast live and later shared on social media.
Another new addition was the Milspouse Link Up Lounge, which offered military spouses an opportunity to connect with one another and meet panelists from the United Forces & Families quality-of-life sessions.
Major defense contractors including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, L3Harris and Bombardier had significant presences, showcasing everything from sixth-generation aircraft concepts to cyber warfare capabilities.
Smaller companies and startups also made notable impressions, particularly in the drone and counter-drone spaces. Sierra Nevada Corporation debuted its Battery Revolving Adaptive Weapons Launcher counter-drone system, while various firms displayed more engines and systems.
Reach Amy Hudson at AHudson@afa.org
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Photo Credit: Jud McCrehin, Air & Space Forces Association
