5 Reasons GovCons Need to Attend the 2026 Defense R&D Summit
On Jan. 29, Potomac Officers Club will launch its 2026 event slate with the Defense R&D Summit at the Hilton McLean in Virginia. With 10 panels, four keynotes, breakfast, lunch and an all-day agenda designed for maximum insight and networking, the summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the Department of War and the broader GovCon ecosystem.
The 2026 Defense R&D Summit brings together senior Department of War leaders, service branch innovators, commercial technology executives and the contractors who are driving the nation’s modernization engine. Registration is now officially open; reserve your spot before seats sell out.
Here are the top five reasons the GovCon community should be in the room at the Jan. 29 event.
Why Should GovCon Companies Attend the 2026 Defense R&D Summit?
1. Hear Directly From DOW’s Top Innovation Leaders
The summit will feature keynote remarks from Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering — the Pentagon’s chief technology officer — Emil Michael, as well as Dr. Thomas Rondeau, DOW’s principal director for 5G/FutureG. Both leaders are shaping the technology strategies, acquisition models and modernization priorities that will define the next decade of national defense.
They will be joined by other senior voices, including Leigh Method, who is performing the duties of the principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, and representatives from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Defense Innovation Unit and beyond. For executives who need firsthand insight into DOW’s strategic direction, this is the most concentrated gathering of senior leadership early in 2026.
2. Learn What’s Next in AI, Quantum, 5G and Space IT
The defense research landscape is shifting fast, and this year’s summit zeroes in on the technologies accelerating the shift. Multiple panels will explore battlefield uses of artificial intelligence, quantum systems shaping next-generation compute and sensing, advanced 5G and FutureG architectures, and the rapidly evolving world of space-based IT infrastructure.
Speakers across government and industry will break down which innovations are ready now, which are on the near horizon and where contractors should focus their investments to stay ahead of peer adversaries.
3. Get Aligned With DOW’s Push to Move Technology Faster
The Department of War is driving a transformation in how the U.S. identifies, tests, funds and fields emerging technologies. Two marquee panels — “Securing the Future of Defense Innovation” and “Crossing the Valley of Death and Ready to Fight on the Far Side” — will examine the policies, cultural shifts and acquisition reforms reshaping the pipeline from incubation to implementation.
For program managers, R&D leads and executives navigating contracting pathways, these conversations offer critical guidance on how to deliver solutions that meet DOW’s accelerated timelines.
As one of POC’s most popular annual events, the Defense R&D Summit is prone to selling out early — don’t miss your chance to register now!
4. Network With the Most Influential Companies in GovCon
The summit will gather leaders from CACI, Lockheed Martin, SAIC and other top-tier defense contractors, alongside fast-rising firms such as Adroit, SandboxAQ and Vantor. Attendees can expect to engage with large, senior-level delegations from these organizations and meet decision-makers shaping contract strategies for 2026 and beyond.
Whether you’re looking to build partnerships, explore subcontracting opportunities or position emerging technologies for transition, the networking environment at POC events consistently sets the standard in the market.
5. Start 2026 Ahead of the Curve
With the pace of DOW’s research and acquisition priorities accelerating, GovCon leaders can’t afford to begin the year behind. As POC’s first event of 2026, the 2026 Defense R&D Summit is designed to deliver a complete, high-speed briefing on the department’s most important focus areas — from advanced prototyping to procurement to deployment.
Executives will leave with a clear understanding of where DOW is heading, what programs will demand industry partnership and how contractors can position themselves to compete and win.
What Takeaways Will GovCons Have From the Event?
Beyond the thought leadership and networking, the 2026 Defense R&D Summit gives GovCon executives the context, intelligence and connections they need to navigate one of the most consequential years for defense technology in recent memory. Don’t miss this prime opportunity for the defense industrial base. Register now!
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