ABOUT THE DEFENSE LEADERSHIP FORUM
The Defense Leadership Forum is a public service organization bringing together Congressional leaders, Pentagon officials, military base commanders, and business representatives to identify the best solutions to defend the United States. We work closely with Congress; the Pentagon; local military bases throughout the U.S.; federal, state, and local government officials; industry; nonprofit organizations; and professional associations.
SUMMIT FEATURES
Defense Leadership Forum
Discussing real issues and challenges with military, government, congressional, and industry leaders while generating possible solutions in real-time. Summit attendees can submit questions on topics related to DoD Acquisition/Procurement/Contracting in advance. A brief summary of the discussion will be provided to all Summit attendees by the Summit Moderator at the beginning of the afternoon General Session. Not featured at all events.
Matchmaking Sessions
The Matchmaking Session is an opportunity to participate in one-on-one meetings with representatives from various government agencies, contracting services, and prime contractors, with the purpose to facilitate targeted information exchange and match needs with resources and solutions. A list of matchmaking table hosts will be provided prior to each event via email to only registered attendees. Session sign-up is available ON-SITE ONLY at each Summit near the registration area. Matchmaking session sign-up is first come, first serve. Meetings are not scheduled in advance due to no-shows, last minute changes, etc. Inquire about hosting opportunities via email, events@usdlf.org.
TESTIMONIALS
"This organization provides small businesses the best opportunity to meet with Agencies and Prime contractors in an intimate setting where they can have unlimited access to discuss opportunities and ways to make their businesses successful. I have been a speaker over the past few years advocating for small businesses and love interacting with such stellar small businesses."
Rita Brooks, Director, SAIC
2024 American Small Business Contracting Summit
"This was a perfect event for networking and learning as a small business in the government contracting world. Well-run, great speakers, highly-relevant topics, and great attendees. Can’t wait to bring my team to more of these events."
Matt Hawkins, Founder, Aerospace Engineer & PM
2024 American Small Business Contracting Summit
“The Navy Contracting Summit itself was well-organized and your staff could not have been more helpful. This was our first time attending this event and we could not have asked for better results. While tending my booth, I was approached by a shipyard in the Norfolk region that was about to embark on a swift turnaround on a US Navy vessel.”
Don McGinnis, Sales Manager, Pioneer Motor Bearing
2023 Navy Contracting Summit
"The Defense Leadership Forum provided Atlantic CommTech Corp (ACT) an avenue to meet potential partners and Key government officials that have lead to the pursuit of business in geographic areas we had not been operating. As a WOSB we were presented with introductions to West Coast partners and government decision makers <at the West Coast Defense Contracting Summit in San Diego in Dec 2019> that we had not had access to as an East coast WOSB. With the positive results of the San Diego event, ACT then believed it beneficial to be a sponsor at the Air Force Contracting Summit in Destin, FL in Jan 2020 and we achieved the same results. ACT looks forward to our continued support of Defense Leadership Forum events as they have proven financially beneficial."
Rick Gerber, Atlantic CommTech Corporation
"This was a perfect event for networking and learning as a small business in the government contracting world. Well-run, great speakers, highly-relevant topics, and great attendees. Can’t wait to bring my team to more of these events."
Lauren Leskanic, Surety Bond Professionals, Inc.
"The event was truly great and a success."
André J. Gudger, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Air Force Contracting Summit, Keynote Speaker (2018)
"You're going to find informative people here, leaders in the community, leaders in the nation involved in large contracting companies and the DOD. The movers and shakers are here at these conferences."
Roy Woods, VP of Federal/Military Solutions Deployed Resources
"This forum provides an opportunity for us to find both those business opportunities as well as potential quality subcontractors, partners, teammates. From what I've seen so far during this first day, there are a number of opportunities that I've seen first hand: exchanging business cards and contact information."
Scott Tomlinson, Director of Contracts with Pacific Architects and Engineers (PAE)
"I've gotten connected with folks at the various Air Force bases and it's going to be really about follow up. It's just nice to meet new people and engage."
Husna Smith, Business Development Manager with Sargent & Greenleaf, Inc.
“It was a great event.”
Florida State Representative Marti Coley, Speaker Pro Tempore, Florida House of Representatives
“We were able to address fundamentally the need for both communities, that is the public sector community and the private sector community to come together, to partner, to collaborate. to operate based on trust. It was a very worthwhile session."
General Norton Schwartz, 19th Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Air Force Contracting Summit, Keynote Speaker (2015)