The Air & Space Conference and Technology Exhibition 2009, with 36 sessions and 50 speakers and more than 135 exhibits of the latest in aerospace and defense technology, along with the coinciding Air Force Association’s National Convention, wrapped up Sept. 16 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

An acclaimed list of speakers topped a packed schedule of events. The Conference was led off with the State of the Force address by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, and featured such speakers as the Secretary of Defense, Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, and acclaimed columnist Charles Krauthammer.

At the Conference’s center was an important speech by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates who announced the Air Force was given sole source authority on the KC-X tanker aircraft. Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz commended the contributions of our nation’s Airmen in their expanded role in the current conflict and in the future.

Other highlights of the three-day event included the Four Star Forum and a variety of panel discussions, forums, professional development workshops, news conferences with senior Air Force leaders and countless networking opportunities. The Doolittle Raiders and the Tuskegee Airmen, Google’s Vincent Cerf, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired General Richard Myers added to the prestigious line-up of defense and aerospace experts and academics speaking at the Conference.

Be sure to mark your calendars for our next Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition 2010, 13-15 September, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.