TAMPA, Fla., May 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) hosted well over 9,000 government and industry attendees and featured 340 exhibiting companies at 2015 SOFIC (Special Operations Forces Industry Conference and Exhibition). Located at the Tampa Convention Center from May 19–21, the conference provided a forum for military, government, academia, and industry stakeholders to network and discuss current and future challenges for supporting Special Operations Forces (SOF).
USSOCOM Commander, General Joseph L. Votel, USA, and USSOCOM Acquisition Executive, Mr. James F. Geurts, provided their perspectives on SOF challenges, trends, and interests and how industry partners can contribute solutions and new capabilities. The conference included panels made up of USSOCOM's Component Commanders, Theater Special Operations Command Commanders, and Senior Enlisted Advisors who provided attendees with an understanding of acquisition requirements, operations, and technology issues in the context of SOF's global missions.
"SOFIC and the associated SOF week is our best opportunity each year to get all the folks together that are so vital to making our enterprise successful," explained Mr. Geurts. "Our operators, acquisition specialists, logisticians, industry and foreign partners can come together in one place, at one time to discuss issues, review challenges, and examine new opportunities and solutions. From this engagement, we can put together the programs and the technologies we need to meet the future demands of the warfighter," said Geurts.
Over the course of three days, attendees had the opportunity to engage with USSOCOM Program Executive Officers, Program Managers, Office of Small Business Programs representatives, the Technology & Industry Liaison Office representative, and other acquisition and logistics experts who identified their top priorities, business opportunities, and desired capabilities. These open forums enabled conference attendees to interact with USSOCOM senior leaders while collaborating on how to win in a complex world.
In addition to keynotes, panel presentations and program-specific breakouts, the SOFIC Exhibition Hall was filled to capacity with 340 exhibitors featuring new technologies, enhanced capability offerings, training systems, vehicles and aircraft, and individual equipment, all designed to support the SOF community.
About NDIA:
The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is America's leading Defense Industry association promoting national security. NDIA provides a legal and ethical forum for the exchange of information between Industry and Government on National Security issues. NDIA fosters the development of the most innovative and superior equipment, training and support for warfighters and first responders through its divisions, local chapters, affiliated associations and events.