2027 Defense R&D Summit, McLean, VA, 4 February 2027
Dates
4 Feb 2027
City / country
McLean, United States
Venue
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
Time
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM · published agenda runs 7:00 AM – 3:05 PM
Are you the organiser of this event?
Companies exhibiting at 2027 Defense R&D Summit include 1868 Public Affairs LLC, 3M, 4CS of Passaic County, Inc., A Plus Products and A. Pennacchi & Sons.
Event overview
The 2027 Defense R&D Summit is a one-day Potomac Officers Club conference at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia, on 4 February 2027.
It convenes government, military and industry leaders to discuss AI, 5G and FutureG, quantum, space and other technologies shaping the future of warfare.
Registration is paid, with discounted member and government rates published for the summit.
TL;DR
Attend if you need a current read on Department of War research priorities and the programme offices that fund them. The single-day format, three concurrent tracks and long networking breaks make it efficient for market intelligence, partner scanning and direct conversations with government and industry leaders.
Sponsor rather than exhibit: no exhibition floor or stand tariff is published, but the 2026 edition used Platinum, Gold, Silver, Exhibitor and WiFi sponsorship tiers. A sponsorship or panel slot buys visibility with POC's government and contractor membership, while a USD 495 non-member pass is the low-cost way to evaluate the room first.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22102, United States
Hotel parking; rate not published on the event page.
No event shuttle was published; the hotel is a short rideshare from Tysons metro stations.
Food options
Networking breakfast, lunch and breaks
On-site diningParking: The hotel has on-site parking; confirm the current daily rate with the hotel when booking. The site is directly off the Capital Beltway and Dulles Toll Road.
Gate: Registration and the networking breakfast open at 07:00; allow 20 minutes for hotel security and badge pick-up.
Attend
Event days & opening times
Non-member
Standard industry rate.
Member
Potomac Officers Club member rate.
Elite New
Promotional new-member rate shown on the listing.
Guest Member
Guest of a POC member.
Government
No charge for government attendees.
Non-member Government
Government attendee without a POC membership.
Ticket info
Badge collection
Bring a government or company photo ID to registration; badges are issued at the hotel meeting-space entrance from 07:00.
Ticket notes
Prices are from the GovEvents listing for the 2027 summit and exclude any processing fees. Advance registration is required; the official POC page hosts the registration link. Government and member rates require eligible status.
What's on
4
Keynote
10
Panel
1
Event days
08:15–15:00
Typical time
Thursday, Feb 4, 2027
Opening Keynote
Morning Keynote
Panel A: Trusted by Design — Assuring AI Models, Data, and Supply Chains for the Mission
Panel B: The Network as a Weapon System — Engineering Assured Connectivity for the Contested Fight
Panel C: Securing the Innovation Base — Supply Chain Visibility, Critical Materials, and Research Security
Panel A: Signal or Spoof — Building Trusted AI From Commercial and Open-Source Data
Panel B: Networks That Run Themselves — AI-Driven Connectivity for the Expeditionary Force
Panel C: Securing the Homefront — Resilient Networks That Connect and Sense, at Home and Abroad
Lunch Panel
Panel A: Beyond R&D — Is AI Ready for War?
Panel B: Modernizing the Contested Training Range — 5G, Open RAN, and Spectrum Agility for Next-Gen Readiness
Panel C: Nowhere to Hide — Multi-Sensor Intelligence for the Maritime Domain
Afternoon Keynote
Closing Keynote
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026
This edition
2027
Visitors: 350
Exhibitors: 30
Next edition
Not announced yet
Growth over time
Edition recap
The 2026 Defense R&D Summit took place on 29 January 2026 at the Hilton McLean in McLean, Virginia, with a full day of keynotes, three concurrent panel tracks and a speaker roster drawn from the Department of War, the services, DIU, NGA, Space Force and industry. POC did not publish attendance or exhibitor counts.
New this edition
Three concurrent panel tracks
The 2027 agenda runs three parallel panels in each of four blocks, letting attendees choose AI, networks or supply-chain/space content.
SourceExpanded AI assurance content
2027 adds panels on assuring AI models, data and supply chains, and on building trusted AI from commercial and open-source data.
SourceImpact
A single day in McLean gives contractors a concentrated read on where Department of War R&D money is moving across AI, networks, space and the industrial base. The event is small by trade-show standards but senior, and the proximity to Washington makes it a practical market-intelligence and relationship stop.
Audience quality
The audience is policy, programme and industry leadership rather than a broad technical crowd. The 2026 speaker list included officials from the Department of War, DIU, NGA, Space Force and the services, which signals seniority but not volume; no attendance audit was published.
Exhibitor outcomes
ROI depends on sponsorship or speaking visibility, not stand traffic. With no exhibition floor published, a USD 9,000–14,000 sponsorship is a brand and access play; a USD 495 non-member pass is the cheaper test. Measure success in meetings and follow-ups, not leads scanned.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
The Washington region concentrates the budget, requirements and programme offices that shape US defense technology spending. A one-day summit next to the Beltway lowers the cost of meeting those officials and lets contractors test priorities before committing capture resources.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
R&D budget is the signal
The Pentagon received USD 149 billion for research and development last year, including the largest R&D increase across the federal government.
What it changes: Contractors should follow programme-level R&D lines, not just top-line budgets, because they indicate which technologies move into acquisition.
SourceAI assurance becomes an acquisition gate
The 2027 agenda devotes multiple panels to assuring AI models, data and supply chains and to building trusted AI from commercial and open-source data.
What it changes: Vendors must show test, evaluation and supply-chain evidence, not only model performance, to win mission AI work.
SourceFutureG and Open RAN move to the tactical edge
Panels cover assured connectivity, AI-driven expeditionary networks, 5G/Open RAN training ranges and spectrum agility.
What it changes: Networking vendors should position around contested, mobile operations rather than commercial coverage maps.
SourceIndustrial-base security is now a board issue
The agenda pairs supply-chain visibility and critical materials with research security and trusted AI.
What it changes: Prime contractors are being asked to map sub-tier suppliers and provenance, creating opportunities for compliance and data platforms.
SourceSpace and maritime sensing converge
Sessions cover multi-sensor intelligence for the maritime domain and space-defense BMC3/IT.
What it changes: Small sensing and analytics firms can sell into multi-domain kill-chain and awareness programmes.
SourceLatest updates from across the market.
The Defense R&D Summit is an annual POC fixture in McLean; the 2026 and 2027 editions share the venue and single-day, three-track format.
Winter defense R&D cycle
Both editions ran in the last week of January or first week of February.
Dates and venue city from the official POC event pages.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
Closest airport with the best domestic connections; taxi or rideshare to McLean.
about 18 km
to venue
20–30 minutes
by car
Washington Dulles International Airport
Best option for many international flights; direct access to the Dulles Toll Road.
about 25 km
to venue
25–35 minutes
by car
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Usually the cheapest option but the longest transfer; allow extra time in winter.
about 75 km
to venue
60–75 minutes
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 120–180 / night
Limited-service rooms within a 10-minute drive; book early because the summit shares the week with other Washington events.
USD 200–280 / night
The venue hotel; the published rate is a planning band and should be checked against the event block.
sourceUSD 350–500 / night
Full-service options within a short drive; useful for hosting meetings.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Rideshare / taxi
25 minutes outside rush hour; allow 40 minutes in the morning peak.
Metro + short rideshare
Cheapest public route; the hotel is not a short walk from the station in winter.
Rental car / hotel parking
Useful for side trips; confirm the hotel parking rate.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) | Citizens of VWP countries visiting for business meetings | $21.00 | Usually minutes to 72 hours | |
| B-1 business visitor visa | Visitors from non-VWP countries attending meetings or conferences | $185.00 | Weeks to months; interview wait times vary |
Canadian citizens generally do not need a visa for short business visits; VWP nationals need an approved ESTA.
No ATA carnet or freight procedure was published for this conference; the event sells no exhibition space.
Official visa pageWeather
Early February in McLean is cold: typical highs 5–8°C and lows around -3–0°C, with a realistic chance of snow or ice. Build a buffer into airport transfers.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
The hotel provides Wi-Fi; mobile coverage is strong across Tysons. US power is 120V at 60Hz, so bring a Type A/B adapter for UK and EU plugs.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress
Most attendees wear business or business-casual attire; government speakers often wear suits.
Networking style
Introduce yourself with your organisation and mission focus; exchange cards and follow up within a week.
Security
Expect photo ID checks and do not bring weapons or classified material into the venue.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: DCA (closest) or IAD (international)
Book 4–8 weeks ahead for late-January travel and avoid tight connections through East Coast hubs in snow season.
VWP citizens need an approved ESTA; most other foreign visitors need a B-1 business visa. Canadians generally travel visa-free for short business visits.
Estimated cost: USD 21 (ESTA) or USD 185 (B-1 visa)
Processing: ESTA usually within 72 hours; B-1 weeks to months
Carry a registration confirmation and hotel booking; admission is decided at the border.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: DCA is 20–30 minutes by taxi or rideshare; IAD is 25–35 minutes via the Dulles Toll Road; BWI is 60–75 minutes.
Hotel → venue: Stay at the venue hotel or within a 10-minute drive in Tysons Corner.
Ride-hail: Uber and Lyft operate throughout Northern Virginia; expect USD 35–50 from DCA.
Public transit: WMATA Silver Line serves Tysons Corner; the hotel is a short rideshare from the station.
Parking: On-site hotel parking; confirm the daily rate when booking.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February
Temperature: -3°C to 8°C
Seasonality: Winter; snow and ice are possible, with occasional rain.
Packing: Warm coat, layers, waterproof shoes and a compact umbrella; allow extra time for transfers.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Thursday 4 February 2027
It is a one-day summit, so 4 February is the only opportunity. Arrive for the 07:00 breakfast to secure a seat and use the morning keynotes before the concurrent panels split the audience.
Register and choose the member, government or non-member rate — Confirm eligibility before paying.
Book the venue hotel or a Tysons Corner room — Arrive 3 February to protect the 07:00 start.
Book DCA or IAD flights and airport transfer — Allow a snow buffer on the return.
Download the agenda and pick one panel per time block — Three tracks run concurrently.
Prepare a one-page capability summary and target list — Focus on programme offices, not generic contacts.
Check in, print ID and confirm badge collection — Bring government or company photo ID.
Networking breakfast and badge pick-up
Hilton McLean meeting foyerOpening and morning keynotes
Main ballroomPanel A: Trusted by Design — AI models, data and supply chains
Track APanel B: Networks That Run Themselves — AI-driven connectivity
Track BNetworking lunch and lunch panel
Ballroom / dining areaAI readiness panel, afternoon and closing keynotes
Main ballroomNational Mall and Lincoln Memorial
Landmark
25–35 minutes by car
Classic Washington walk and free memorials; good for a half-day before or after the summit.
Arlington National Cemetery
Historic Site
20–30 minutes by car
Sobering military history and Changing of the Guard; relevant context for defense visitors.
Tysons Corner Center
Shopping / Dining
5–10 minutes by car
Convenient evening dining and shopping near the venue hotels.
Hilton McLean lobby bar
Hotel bar
Closest informal meeting point after the closing remarks.
Networking breakfast and lunch
Event meal
The structured breaks are the highest-yield windows for meeting speakers.
The summit is single-day and senior, so follow-up quality matters more than volume. Government contacts may not respond quickly, and any pitch should reference the programme office and technology area discussed on site.
Budget
No 2027 stand or sponsorship rate card was published and no exhibition floor is sold. Zero sqm rates denote not applicable, not free space; sponsorship bands are 2026 references.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Registration
visitor · Non-member
USD 495 / person
Registration
visitor · Government
USD 25 / person
Hotel
both · Mid-range
USD 200–280 / room/night
Per diem
both · Standard
USD 60–90 / person/day
Sponsorship
exhibitor · Platinum
USD 14000 / package
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | visitor | Non-member | USD 495 / person | published | 2026-10-31 |
| Registration | visitor | Government | USD 25 / person | published | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | both | Mid-range | USD 200–280 / room/night | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | both | Standard | USD 60–90 / person/day | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Sponsorship | exhibitor | Platinum | USD 14000 / package | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six questions to decide whether to attend, sponsor or skip the 2027 Defense R&D Summit.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your main reason for attending?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You need current R&D priorities and five to ten targeted conversations.
Best for
Government officials, analysts and contractors testing priorities
Min. budget
$495.00
Timeline
One day plus travel
Risks
Senior audience may be hard to access without an introduction
Single-day format leaves little slack
exhibit
You want brand visibility and a speaking slot with POC's government audience.
Best for
Vendors selling AI, networks, space or supply-chain tools
Min. budget
$9,000.00
Timeline
8–12 weeks before the event
Risks
No exhibition floor or traffic guarantee
Sponsorship benefits are not published for 2027
skip
You cannot act on US federal opportunities within 12 months.
Best for
Consumer brands, hardware resellers and teams with no US defense pipeline
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Opportunity cost of a day and travel
No exhibition floor for product demos
Book with
Potomac Officers Club
Membership and events organiser for the Washington government contracting community.
Official event page.
Executive Mosaic
Media and events group that owns POC.
Corporate website.
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner
Venue hotel at 7920 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA.
Hotel website; venue from GovEvents listing.
GovEvents
Government events directory that publishes the 2027 ticket prices and venue.
Listing captured in search results; direct fetch failed.
Recommended providers
Official B-1 guidance; ESTA for VWP travellers.
Venue hotel; no public event block code.
Self-book (Expedia or airline)
No official event flight partner.
No official freight partner
No exhibition floor or freight handler published.
Self-arranged travel insurance
No official insurance partner published.
National Mall and Arlington are self-guided; no event tours published.
No official lead-capture vendor
Use a manual CRM or mobile app.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
6 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
3
References
2
Publishers
3
Date checked
Potomac Officers Club
GovEvents
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