
The second annual Defense Technology Summit (DTS) is coming to Fayetteville, hosted by the Office of US Senator Thom Tillis, the Office of US Senator Ted Budd, Fayetteville Technical Community College, the North Carolina Military Business Center and the North Carolina Defense Technology Transition Office. The DTS is held in conjunction with the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Warfighter Summit and Exposition on July 26-27 in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
The DTS will highlight the advanced technology needs of major military commands in North Carolina and of the Department of Defense and the correlating capabilities of the innovation ecosystem in North Carolina and the southeast. The DTS will establish a dialogue and partnerships between industry, academia and government to address the future technology needs of America’s warfighters.
At the event, thought leaders will explore pressing needs and how they may be addressed collaboratively through an expansive innovation ecosystem. Discussions will include topics such as emerging technologies, collaboration for innovation, and the future of warfare in the face of mounting threats, and demonstrations of dual-use advanced technologies that may help satisfy rapidly evolving requirements.
This event provides attendees with the opportunity to meet and interact with government, academia and industry innovators. They can also spend the following day with major defense contractors attending the AUSA Summit & Expo. Guests can learn what others are doing that may help provide solutions to their organization’s gaps/problems.
The DTS will be held at Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Tony Rand Student Center on July 25. The cost to attend prior to June 30 is $45 per person and then starting July 1 it will increase to $50 per person.
To learn more or to register go to
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