5 Reasons Why GovCons Shouldn’t Miss the 2026 Army Summit
- Army leaders will deliver keynote speeches and participate in panel discussions on the service’s transformation efforts, acquisition reform and capability investments at the 2026 Army Summit
- The summit offers opportunities for GovCon leaders to understand Army needs and priorities and network with industry leaders
- Following the 2026 Army Summit, GovCons can also join the 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30 and the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27
The Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Army Summit on Thursday, June 18, is shaping up to be a must-attend event for government contractors seeking to understand the service’s transformation initiatives and gain insights into evolving defense requirements.
With speakers coming from the highest posts in the military and the defense industrial base, the event will serve as a critical forum for collaboration and strategic dialogue that will help guide future national defense priorities.
For GovCons, the summit offers opportunities for business growth through exclusive insights into Army initiatives, priorities, challenges and mission objectives, as well as by connecting with government and industry peers. Register today before tickets run out!
Why Should GovCons Attend the 2026 Army Summit?
Hear from Army Keynote Speakers on Budget, Acquisition & Emerging Tech
Potomac Officers Club has curated an impressive lineup of Army leaders to deliver keynotes at the summit.
Lt. Gen. Robert Collins, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, will kick off the event with his opening keynote. Drawing from his experience as an acquisition leader, Collins will share insights on how the Army is evolving the way it purchases and delivers capabilities to meet mission needs.
Next, Katie Thompson, deputy executive director of the Army Contracting Command–Aberdeen Proving Ground, will take the stage to deliver the morning keynote. Thompson is expected to share insights about the processes at the ACC-APG, a major contracting center that oversees the service-wide procurement of mission-critical capabilities.
Marc Andersen, assistant secretary of the Army for financial management and comptroller, will join a morning fireside chat with Exiger CEO Brandon Daniels to dissect the Army’s $253 billion budget request for fiscal 2027, planned technology investments, service-wide acquisition reforms and audit readiness.
During his afternoon keynote, Lt. Gen. Jeth Rey, deputy chief of staff, G-6, will likely explore the service’s data modernization efforts, the Next-Generation Command and Control initiative, artificial intelligence and machine learning for rapid decision-making, and the newly established Army Data Operation Center.
Dr. Jeff Waksman, principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, will deliver the mid-afternoon keynote, where he will delve into the service’s nuclear energy programs and plans to power AI and advanced warfighting technologies.
The summit will conclude with a keynote from Maj. Gen. David Hall, Army Transformation and Training Command, deputy commanding general, Army National Guard. Hall is expected to share perspectives on emerging capabilities such as attritable unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare, signals intelligence and AI.
Navigate the Changing Defense Procurement Market
The Army is undergoing an acquisition reform that intends to streamline procurement processes and accelerate the delivery of warfighter technology.
The Army Transformation Initiative, introduced last year, will be a key discussion point at the summit. The effort seeks to modernize how the service develops, acquires and fields capabilities, emphasizing speed, efficiency and responsiveness to emerging threats.
Attendees will hear directly from acquisition leaders responsible for implementing these reforms and gain valuable insight into the policy and organizational changes that directly impact the Army’s procurement decisions.
Gain Early Insights Into Upcoming Opportunities to Support Warfighters
The discussions at the 2026 Army Summit will give attendees insights into upcoming service opportunities. As military leaders take the stage to discuss organizational challenges and mission objectives, government contracting industry leaders can gain a better understanding of Army needs even before a formal request for proposals is released.
Potomac Officers Club curated seven panels, each exploring the challenges and opportunities that influence the service’s investments and acquisition decisions. The panels are:
- From Pilot to Production: Accelerating Commercial Capabilities at Scale
- Tech Stack After Next: What’s Still Needed to Enable a Hyperconnected Battlefield
- The Emerging Technologies at Scale: Reconfigurable Air Defense and Cost-Effective Fires
- Future of the Tactical Edge
- Winning the Next Decade: Building the Architecture of Modern Military Advantage
- From Data to Decision: How AI is Transforming the Army Today
- Continuous Modernization Incorporating Wireless Spectrum, SD-WAN, Open Ecosystems and Cybersecurity
Convene Army Leaders & Industry Innovators for Dialogue
At the 2026 Army Summit, leaders from the military and the defense industry will discuss the capabilities that warfighters need to increase lethality and survivability on the modern battlefield. This meeting of minds can strengthen alignment between government and industry, accelerate innovation, inform capability development and acquisition strategies, and ultimately enhance deterrence by ensuring the United States and its allies are prepared to address evolving threats.
Panelists from the Army include:
- Brig. Gen. Anthony Gibbs, capability program executive for mission autonomy
- Col. Alan Stephens, project manager, integrated enterprise network
- Rocio “Rosie” Bauer, acting deputy assistant secretary of the Army for data, engineering and software
- Robert Braun, chief technology officer of the XVIII Airborne Corps
- Christopher Manning, capability program executive intelligence and spectrum warfare
Joining the discussion from industry are executives from LMI, Marconi, LogicMonitor, Ericsson, AT&T, Exiger, ServiceNow, SAP NS2, SAIC, Summit 7, Legion Intelligence, Clarity Innovations, Hilco Global, Seekr, Kpler, Apex Defense Strategies, Carahsoft and Cubic.
Network & Forge New Partnerships
Potomac Officers Club events offer plenty of opportunities for networking. Leaders from government and industry grace these events, so attendees get to meet potential customers and partners.
In GovCon, partnerships can be key drivers for success. When companies combine expertise and capabilities, they can pursue larger and more complex opportunities, strengthen their competitive positioning, and deliver more comprehensive support to government customers.
The 2026 Army Summit is a prime opportunity to meet industry peers with similar objectives and complementary capabilities to connect and discuss potential teaming arrangements. Sign up today to connect with fellow defense industry leaders.
What’s Next in the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 DOW Summer Series?
The 2026 Army Summit marks the beginning of the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 DOW Summer Summit Series.
Up next is the 2026 Air and Space Summit, which will explore increasing prioritization of space as a warfighting domain and identify the advanced technologies that warfighters need to maintain an edge over adversaries in the air and in orbit. Scheduled for July 30, the summit will feature leaders from the Air Force, the Space Force, NASA, Defense Innovation Unit and other agencies. Retired Col. Matt Anderson, the 16th deputy administrator of NASA, will deliver a keynote address at the event. Secure your tickets here!
To round up the series, the 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27 will put the spotlight on the priorities of the maritime service. The upcoming event will look into the emerging technologies the Navy is pursuing to modernize naval operations and strengthen readiness. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, a 2026 Wash100 winner, will deliver the opening keynote at the summit.
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