MIRAMAR BEACH — More than 400 prime contractors, subcontractors, military officials, contracting officers and defense agencies are scheduled to gather at the 2018 Air Force Contracting Summit beginning Jan. 29 at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
The two-day summit kicks off at 9 a.m. with a presentation by retired Air Force Capt. Nate Nelson on the newly passed $700 billion defense budget for 2018. Nelson is the deputy director of military affairs for Rep. Matt Gaetz, R, Fla., who serves on the House Budget Committee and the House Armed Services Committee.
Set against the newly passed defense budget, the summit will deliver insights on contracting opportunities. During the summit, speakers and attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the mission and contracting priorities of the U.S. Air Force, address contracting procedures for small businesses, identify federal contracting resources and connect prime contractors with new subcontractors.
"There is a large need for companies that can develop and deliver innovative strategic solutions for the Defense Department," said Howard Snow, former deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for installations, facilities and energy. "The Defense Leadership Forum will open doors to contracting opportunities at this year's Air Force Contracting Summit for those that wish to expand their federal footprint," said Snow, moderator of the summit.
In prior years, summit attendees have heard from speakers such as Rep. Robert Aderholt and Rep. John Carter of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee; Lt. Gen. Robert McMurry, then-commander of the Air Force Research Lab; Maj. Gen. Shaun Morris, then-commander of the Air Force Armament Directorate, Maj. Gen. Scott Jansson, then-commander of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center and Gen. Norton Schwartz, 19th chief of staff of the Air Force.
To register or learn more about the 2018 Air Force Contracting Summit, visit www.defenseleadershipforum.org/airforcecontractingsummit.