Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) welcomes abstract submissions for technical presentations and posters at the 2026 Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference. This unique forum explores new emerging technologies that will shape national security for the next century, focusing on the Department of Defense’s highest priority joint mission areas. The conference gathers government, industry, and commercial experts to demonstrate and display innovative new technologies and discuss their defense implications. It provides an opportunity for defense procurement officials to discuss acquisition and contracting opportunities, initiatives for rapid capability delivery to operational forces, and facilitates one-on-one engagements between industry and government. Breakout sessions will cover how emerging technologies, including DoD’s critical technology areas, address high-priority mission challenges. Speakers from government, industry, and academia will discuss creating and deploying new capabilities at speed, addressing joint warfighting challenges, and setting technical roadmaps for future technology investments. Attendees can expect keynotes and panels from government officials and industry leaders, networking opportunities for public and private sector leaders, an exhibit hall showcasing promising technological breakthroughs deployable within five years, a hackathon, and government-industry 1:1 meetings.