AFA Focuses on Aerospace Challenges in Annual Air & Space Conference

AFA's premier event is just three months away! 

The 2011 Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition will be bigger than ever, with more than 50 conference addresses and a first-rate expo floor displaying the latest advancements in air and space technology.  

This year's Air & Space Conference will be held September 19 - 21, 2011, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, in National Harbor, just across the river from Alexandria and minutes from downtown Washington, DC. Attendees will learn about the current issues and challenges facing America and the aerospace community from a riveting line-up of speakers, including Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Norton Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy.

Secretary Donley is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 334,000 men and women on active duty, 176,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 170,000 civilians, and their families. He also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $110 billion. Secretary Donley will open up the Conference on Monday with a briefing on the current state of the force.

Gen Schwartz, who serves as the senior uniformed Air Force officer responsible for the organization, training and equipping of 680,000 active-duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian forces serving in the U.S and overseas, will give us an update on the Air Force in a Tuesday session, then lead a forum comprised of 4-star generals, wrapping up the conference Wednesday afternoon. As a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Schwartz functions as a military adviser to the Secretary of Defense, National Security Council and the President.

And Chief Roy, who represents the highest enlisted level of leadership, and as such, provides direction for the enlisted force and represents their interests to the American public and to those in all levels of government, will grant us the enlisted perspective mid-Wednesday, giving us insight on the issues and challenges our enlisted Airmen face.

These top military leaders will join a Pulitzer-prize winning writer, the first female to oversee an air campaign and a medal of honor recipient in this year's full agenda! Check back weekly to find out about more events that will be at the 2011 Air & Space Conference as we highlight speakers, panels, authors and exhibitors!

Registration details can be found at http://registration.afa.org/events/Conf2011RegHome.aspx.

And don't forget to follow our Air & Space Conference on Twitter (#AFAairspace)!