Cyberspace Symposium registration now open

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  Registration is now underway for Air Force Cyberspace Symposium II, set for June 17-19 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass.

Those wanting to attend the conference, which is co-sponsored by Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) and the Air Force Association's Paul Revere Chapter, can register on-line at the AFA chapter's web site: www.paulrevereafa.org. Cost for attending the symposium is $330 for both government and industry. Booth space registration for the symposium's technology exposition is also available on-line at the chapter's web site, as well as sponsorship opportunities and registration for a June 17 golf tournament held in conjunction with the event.

The entire Royal Plaza facility, including its 430 guest rooms, has been reserved for the symposium. Rooms are available for $104 plus taxes per night, which falls within the government per diem rate. Reservations can be made by calling the Royal Plaza at (508) 460-0700, and referencing "AFA Paul Revere." Information on a number of other hotels located nearby is also available on the AFA web site.

This will be the second cooperative symposium to focus on the Air Force's efforts to develop offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities. The first, hosted by the provisional Cyberspace Command, headquartered at Eighth Air Force, Barksdale AFB, La., was held in November. The theme for this year's event is "Equipping the Cyber Warrior to Fight in Cyberspace."

The symposium will kick off with a golf tournament and barbecue sponsored by the AFA chapter June 17 at Juniper Hill Golf Course in neighboring Northborough, followed by an opening reception and the grand opening of the technology exposition at the trade center. Presentations will begin the next morning, and the AFA will host a gala dinner that evening. Presentations will continue on the final day, June 19.

The Paul Revere chapter will hold its annual Chief of Staff Scholarship dinner in conjunction with the symposium on the evening of June 18. Each year, the chapter awards more than $10,000 in scholarships to deserving family members of military members at the annual gala dinner.

Symposium planners have invited some of the Air Force's most senior leaders to address the conference, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne.

Already confirmed to speak at the event are ESC Commander Lt. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, Defense Information Systems Agency Director Lt. Gen. Charles E. Croom Jr., 8th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) Commander Maj. Gen. William T. Lord and Air Force Research Laboratory Commander Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke.

"We have a great line up of speakers, and we expect this to be a valuable experience for all who attend," said Angela Dupont, president of the Paul Revere chapter. "Our presenters will focus on the evolving and developing needs and requirements of America's cyber warriors, and how the acquisition community, working closely with industry, can develop and provide the solutions they need to meet the emerging threats in cyberspace."