AFA’s 2018 Air, Space & Cyber Conference Breaks Records
September 26, 2018
September 26, 2018
Press Release
AFA’s 2018 Air, Space & Cyber Conference Breaks Records
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Air Force Association (AFA) held its annual National Convention, September 15-16 and Air, Space & Cyber Conference, September 17-19, in National Harbor, Md. This year’s conference was one of the most successful events hosted by AFA, breaking registration and attendance records.
The conference registered over 11,900 attendees, a 30 percent increase from the previous year and the most in recent history. The event featured 140 exhibiting companies and organizations, displaying the latest air, space, and cyber technologies throughout a 100,000 square foot exposition hall.
Over 80 distinguished speakers participated on 32 panels, including a “fireside chat” between Jeff Bezos, Founder, and CEO of Amazon and Blue and AFA’s President, General Larry Spencer, USAF Ret.
In her comments, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson made a major announcement, revealing that the Air Force intends to add 74 operational squadrons to its structure. The 25 percent jump in the number of operational squadrons is the result of a six-month analysis, based on wargames, modeling and simulation. Secretary Wilson aims to grow the number of operational squadrons from 312 to 386 by 2025-2030.
The theme for this year’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference was “Multi-Domain Operations: Leveraging the Full Spectrum.” AFA celebrated the Air Force’s 71st birthday with a surprise address from Vice President Mike Pence, who reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to defense investment and Air Force modernization.
AFA National Convention
The following National Officer was elected for a one-year term:
- The Honorable F. Whitten Peters (Washington, DC) – Chairman of the Board, third term
- Gavin Mac MacAloon (Tyndall AFB, FL) – Vice Chairman, Field Operations, third term
- Jim Hannam – Vice Chairman, Aerospace Education, first term
- Rick Hartle (East Layton, UT) – National Secretary, second term
The following National Directors were elected for two-year terms:
- Gerald Murray – National Director at Large
The following National Directors were elected for three-year terms:
- Mike Liquori – National Director at Large
- Mark “Buster” Douglas – National Director at Large
- Bob George – National Director, West Area
AFA’s 35th Annual Air Warfare Symposium will be held February 27-March 1, 2019 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, FL. Registration is slated to open in early November 2018. To learn more about sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, please contact Fred Ullman at fullman@afa.org.
The 2018 Air, Space & Cyber Conference will again be hosted at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, September 16-18, 2019. Information regarding exhibit opportunities and registration can be found at www.afa.org.
The Air Force Association is a non-profit, independent, professional military and aerospace education association. Our mission is to promote a dominant United States Air Force and a strong national defense, and to honor Airmen and our Air Force Heritage.
Contact: Kianna Gousby