Defense Strategies Institute (DSI)

The 14th Annual Border Security & Intelligence Summit will bring together leading experts and decision-makers from across the law enforcement and intelligence community to share insights and engage in strategic dialogue on the state of U.S. border security and the innovative technologies advancing the protection of our Nation’s borders. 

In response to evolving challenges at U.S. borders from illegal immigration to transnational crime, border security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies are enhancing their capabilities to effectively address these threats. The 2026 Border Security & Intelligence Summit will highlight the latest trends, technologies, and strategies for securing borders and advancing intelligence operations in an increasingly digital environment. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the most pressing issues facing the border security community, as well as the implementation of cutting-edge technologies that support national and global security. 

The 2026 event will convene senior level experts, decision-makers, and innovators from across DHS, the Intelligence Community, federal agencies, & industry to discuss emerging threats and the tools needed to counter organized crime and illicit actors. Key panel discussions will examine innovative surveillance technologies, the integration of AI and advanced data analytics, evolving challenges at the U.S.-Canada border, and local strategies for enforcement and security. Attendees at the 2026 Border Security & Intelligence Summit will have the unique opportunity to explore the policies, technologies, and solutions essential to achieving current security objectives and protecting U.S. citizens from emerging threats.

Defense Strategies Institute’s 3rd Annual C-UAS & Integrated Protection Summit will convene senior leaders and decision-makers from the Department of War, federal government, industry, and academia to address the evolving challenges of countering unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). As UAS threats continue to expand in scale, sophistication, and global reach, the Summit will focus on advancing integrated strategies to detect, deter, and defeat these systems while strengthening layered defense architectures across the homeland and operational theaters.

The 9th Annual Directed Energy Symposium will convene leading experts, policymakers, leaders, and innovators across the Directed Energy community to explore the latest advancements and applications in directed energy systems and technologies to support the Warfighter and national defense objectives. Discussions at the event will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of directed energy warfare and the associated opportunities and challenges. The symposium arrives at a pivotal inflection point for the directed energy enterprise. For decades, the promise of speed-of-light engagement, near-zero cost per shot, and deep magazines against massed aerial threats remained just beyond operational reach. That moment has passed. Senior Department of War officials have declared directed energy operationally mature, the Navy's HELIOS system has now defeated drone targets in live at-sea testing, the Army is advancing the Enduring High Energy Laser toward its first program of record, and the Marine Corps has taken delivery of its first expeditionary high-power microwave system. The question is no longer whether directed energy works. The question is how fast we can scale it, sustain it, and fight with it. 

The 2026 AI for Defense Summit will convene senior leaders and innovators from the Department of War, Intelligence Community, federal government, industry, and academia to explore how AI is being operationalized for national security.   As AI continues to transition from experimentation to deployment, the 5^th Annual Summit will highlight real-world applications that are enhancing decision-making, accelerating intelligence analysis, strengthening C2, and enabling resilient and responsive warfighting capabilities across multi-domains.

Insider risk has become one of the most complex and critical security challenges organizations face today. Emerging technologies, particularly AI, combined with shifting tactics and motivations, have increased both the likelihood and impact of insider-related incidents. According to the 2026 Cost of Insider Risks Global Report, insider incidents cost organizations an average of $19.5 million in 2025, driven largely by negligent, non-malicious behavior in increasingly digital environments. The report also found that organizations with robust insider risk management programs experience fewer incidents and avoid millions in losses, underscoring the urgent need for proactive, organization-wide strategies. 

The 2026 National Insider Risk Symposium will explore the importance of a holistic approach that bridges HR, security, IT, and legal functions to reduce both the frequency and impact of insider risk. The symposium will examine emerging threats and future trends, the critical role of collaboration and information sharing, and the growing impact of AI on the workforce and insider risk landscape. Attendees will gain actionable insights to strengthen mitigation, detection, and prevention efforts, exchange perspectives, and engage in meaningful dialogue with partners across the insider risk community.

DSI’s team specializes in the extensive research and development of our Symposium’s content and focus areas, and we will assemble the most respected minds in insider risk management, from leaders across Commercial, Government, and Academia. Our non-partisan approach allows us to reach across all services and organizations to bring together a truly holistic group of decision makers and solution providers. 

Defense Strategies Institute’s 30^th DoW/VA & Government HIT Summit will convene senior leaders, leading experts, and strategic decision makers from across the VA, DHA, DoW, federal government, and relevant industry stakeholders for in-depth discussions on the evolving health IT landscape. This event will highlight how health IT is transforming care delivery, improving patient engagement, and advancing the interoperability, accessibility, and resiliency of Veteran and military healthcare.

The 30^th DoW/VA & Government Health IT Summit will convene leaders from the Department of War (DoW), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), federal government agencies, academia, and industry to advance a seamless, integrated, and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem for Veterans and Servicemembers. Throughout the Summit, speakers will examine current challenges, acquisition priorities, and emerging trends shaping the future of government healthcare IT.

Discussions will focus on overcoming data management barriers, strengthening enterprise-scale IT infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity and digital capabilities, and expanding innovation initiatives across the VA and DHA. Sessions will also explore the responsible integration of AI to support more personalized care, advancements in digital health experiences, and accelerating agile technology adoption across the continuum of care. Attendees will gain critical insights from health IT leaders while exploring the technologies, policies, acquisition strategies, and collaborative efforts that are transforming Warfighter and Veteran healthcare and improving mission readiness across the federal health enterprise.

Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of speakers and key decision-makers who are actively shaping the future of government health IT. Join us at the 30th DoW/VA & Government Health IT Summit this October to take part in discussions focused on driving better outcomes in health IT to transform military medicine and Veteran healthcare.

The 6th Annual Military Vehicle Systems Summit, developed in partnership with the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), will convene senior leaders, engineers, and acquisition professionals from across the Military Services, industry, and academia to examine how next-generation ground platforms are conceived, designed, and sustained in an era of rapid modernization and great-power competition. Speakers will discuss platforms such as the XM30 and M-1E3 Abrams, the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, SOF mobility platforms, and connected combat vehicles, the program will focus on translating concepts into fielded capability through rapid prototyping, digital engineering, and tighter integration between requirements, S&T, and acquisition communities. It will highlight how formations are preparing for high-intensity ground combat, balancing modernization with readiness, and integrating new vehicles, sensors, and C2 architectures into brigade, division, and joint operations.

The 6th Annual Military Vehicle Systems Summit comes at a pivotal moment for ground combat modernization, as the Department of War and Army accelerate investment and fielding efforts at an unprecedented pace. With the FY 2027 budget request reaching $252.8 billion, major programs such as the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, now entering production, and the M1E3 Abrams upgrade are advancing alongside sustained enhancements to the Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle. Bringing together senior leaders from across the military services, industry, and academia, the Summit provides direct access to the decision-makers shaping these efforts. Attendees will gain critical insight into not only what is being funded, but why, with perspectives from organizations including TACOM, DEVCOM, the Marine Corps, USSOCOM, and NIWC on how legacy fleets are modernized while next-generation systems transition from prototype to program of record.

At the same time, 2026 represents an inflection point in how combat vehicles are designed, integrated, and operated. The Summit will explore the Army’s push toward Human-Machine Integrated Formations by 2027, including the integration of unmanned ground vehicles, common robotic controllers, and AI-enabled systems to reduce risk to the warfighter. Core discussions will address digital engineering and digital twins, innovative funding pathways such as Army FUZE and PIT, and industry strategies for rapidly fielding advanced capabilities. With converging timelines across XM30, Abrams, ACV, robotics, and connected vehicle ecosystems, the event offers a unique forum to align requirements, funding, and technology priorities. For professionals spanning vehicle manufacturing, systems engineering, autonomy, power and mobility, and survivability, the Summit delivers both strategic clarity and practical engagement with the people and programs defining the future of ground combat.

DSI’s team specializes in the extensive research and development of summit content and focus areas. We bring together leading experts from the vehicle systems community alongside key policymakers across military and civilian organizations. Our nonpartisan approach enables us to engage across all services and agencies, creating a truly comprehensive forum for decision-makers and solution providers.

Defense Strategies Institute’s Integrated Command and Control (C2) Summit will convene leaders from the military services, federal government, industry, and academia in a collaborative, engaging town hall forum to discuss the integration of military command and control systems across land, air, sea, space, and cyber domains. The Integrated C2 Summit will explore the modernization of military command and control systems across all domains to achieve information superiority and enable accelerated decision-making

Topics to be covered at the 2026 Summit

• From Prototype to Combat Capability: Next Generation Command and Control
• Delivering the DAF Battle Network: C2 as an Operational Capability
• Connecting Sensor to Shooter: Delivering Decision & Information Superiority
• Advancing the Role of Space for Integrated Command and Control
• Strengthening Network Resilience for C2 in Contested, Degraded Environments
•  The Role of Human-Machine Teaming and AI-Enabled Decision Making

The 11th Annual Military Additive Manufacturing Summit & Technology Showcase continues to be the premier event in North America for leaders across military, aerospace, and defense 3D printing. This educational and professional development event helps drive active dialogue surrounding the integration of 3D printing technologies across the Joint Force. MILAM 2027 sits at the intersection of industrial policy and national defense, directly answering the National Security Strategy’s call to supercharge the Defense Industrial Base. Your participation helps shape how the U.S. accelerates the adoption of advanced manufacturing capabilities and translates that progress into real Warfighter lethality, readiness, and resilience.

Each iteration, this forum serves as a crucial platform for military, government, international partners and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and strategize on integrating additive technologies. Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore how additive manufacturing (AM) is shaping the future of defense industrial base, by enhancing battlefield lethality and supply chain resilience. Join us to engage in active dialogue, expand your network, & explore diverse industry products and services, that are driving the future of global AM technologies! 

At DSI’s MILAM Summit, attendees can expect to:

Engage with Key Decision-Makers: Participate in high-level discussions on Department of War acquisition priorities, featuring insights from senior military leaders and industry experts. Gain firsthand knowledge of how the DoW is prioritizing additive manufacturing to enhance defense capabilities and maintain competitive advantage.

Explore Cutting-Edge Technology: Discover groundbreaking technological advancements in 3D printing that are shaping the future of military operations. Experience demonstrations and presentations on innovations in additive manufacturing that address current challenges and future needs in military operations.

Networking Opportunities: Connect with military, government, international partners, and industry professionals. This summit provides a platform for collaboration and exchange of ideas, allowing you to build relationships with key stakeholders in the additive manufacturing community.

Access to Diverse Exhibitors: Explore the exhibit floor featuring a wide range of 150+ industry products and services. This showcase offers a hands-on opportunity to see the latest technologies in action and interact with leading providers of additive manufacturing solutions.

Recognize Excellence: During the MILAM 3D Printing Awards Ceremony, celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups who have made significant contributions to 3D printing positively impacting the Defense Industrial Base and Warfighter mission.

By attending the Military Additive Manufacturing Summit, attendees position themselves at the forefront of technological innovation in defense. Join us to gain invaluable insights, form strategic partnerships, and contribute to the future of additive manufacturing in military applications. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a dynamic event that is shaping the future of defense technology!