This high-impact engagement is designed to spark a chain reaction of innovation by dissolving the “silos” that separate our sectors. Unlike a traditional conference, this is a functional, round-table workshop where the focus shifts from passive networking to being the catalyst for immediate, actionable partnerships between government, military, private industry, and academia across Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia.

With 2026 projections forecasting exponential growth, this event serves as the reaction chamber for:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Integrating AI and autonomous systems into regional defense.
• Advanced Manufacturing: Scaling local production to meet surging federal demand.
• Veteran Workforce Integration: Converting the elite skills of departing service members into the lifeblood of private industry.

Regional Anchors:

The summit leverages the strategic proximity of major installations that act as the foundational anchors for a defense industry cluster generating billions in annual economic impact:

• NAS Jacksonville: A massive employment hub contributing roughly $1.2 billion annually to the local economy.
• Naval Station Mayport: One of only two East Coast Navy homeports, supported by over 50 local ship repair companies.
• NSB Kings Bay: A critical utility and infrastructure hub receiving over $556 million in recent federal project investments.
• Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island: The hub of the Marine Corps’ prepositioning programs. Spanning 1,200 acres, this facility is a vital “power projection platform” that injects more than $188 million into the regional economy each year through salaries, construction, and services.

By synchronizing these anchors, the First Coast ensures its dominance in national security and industrial innovation through 2026 and beyond.

2026 Strategic Initiatives and Focus Areas

• Modernization and Infrastructure: The Department of Defense is increasing private partnerships for military construction, with 2026 seeing a focus on upgrading infrastructure and building “the Army of tomorrow” through public-private partnerships.
• Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA): Launched by major aerospace firms including Gulfstream and Lockheed Martin, this alliance works to enhance competitiveness in the aerospace sector (the state’s second-largest industry) through workforce development.
• Workforce Development: Area military installations, such as NAS Jax and Fort Stewart, continue to offer military and family support centers, helping transition service members into careers with defense contractors.
• Veteran Hiring Initiatives: In 2026, industry leaders in SE Georgia are actively engaging in recruitment campaigns, such as those by HMGMA, to hire veterans, addressing both workforce needs and veteran well-being.

Regional Economic Impact

• Jacksonville: The defense industry provides over 50,000 jobs in the region (active duty, reserve, and civilian). NAS Jacksonville alone has an annual economic impact of roughly $2.7 billion.
• Georgia: Georgia is benefiting from substantial federal investments, with a $556 million federal bill in late 2025/2026 financing new construction projects across the state to boost local defense capabilities.
• The NDIA First Coast Chapter serves as a primary hub for connecting industry, academia, and military leaders across this region, including areas from NE Florida up to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia.