Tradeshows, Conferences and Symposiums

Since returning to the civilian world four years ago, I’ve discovered a unique aspect of the modern workplace- tradeshows, conferences and symposiums. It’s not like I didn’t know these things existed while serving on active duty, but I was completely unaware of their importance, especially in the defense industry. Ironically, during my brief two-year stint working in the defense industry, at the height of the COVID pandemic, most trade shows and symposiums were cancelled. I never served as what some in the business call a “booth bunny.”

In my current job I have the opportunity to attend these events and thankfully, registration is usually free! Last week was the Space and Missile Defense (SMD) Symposium. After spending a couple of days listening to the speakers and wandering the exhibition halls, I was impressed as always at the work that goes into these events. The displays are amazing and of course, the freebies are nice, but my kids don’t appreciate the free frisbees as much as they used to.

Perhaps it’s the lighting, the skillful marketing ploys or just the energy in the room that makes these things so interesting. For me, it reminds me a bit of a trade show I absolutely loved attending as a kid. “The Bill Goodman’s Gun and Knife Show” was a must see when it rolled into my hometown when I was growing up. I could literally spend all day gazing at the firearms and the militaria on display. I even made a few purchases, buying my first deer rifle at a gun show when I was 18.

Of course, like many things of my youth, the charm of the gun shows and time available have all but disappeared.  I went to some gun shows over the years, but probably haven’t visited one in over a decade now. I suppose it’s the SMD Symposium or the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Conference for me now.

The speakers at these events are generally at the strategic level of leadership. While the speeches and Q&A are interesting, they are also mostly “canned” or very top level. Still as an Air Defender at heart, I find it exciting to hear about the latest requirements and technology.

That being said, the best thing about attending these events is seeing my old friends from the Army that are now working in the defense industry.  It’s a bit of a family reunion if you will as some of the friends and mentors have played huge roles in my own personal development.  Always great to see them and catch up. Of course, they are “on the clock”, so I don’t get to spend as much time catching up as I’d like. Regardless, it’s always good to see old friends.

A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about military tradition. I guess attending trade shows and conferences will become a civilian workforce tradition for me. My how times have changed! The 20-year-old college student or 28-year-old flat bellied, barrel-chested Soldier I used to be couldn’t imagine a conference where a bunch of middle age folks are trying to sell the newest breakthrough in defense. Just another example of the inevitable and mostly good change on my journey in this wonderful life.

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The views, opinions and biases expressed in this blog are the authors and do not reflect those of the U.S. Army or Department of Defense.

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