VIRGINIA BEACH — An event coming to the Sandler Center in June is meant to connect the Navy with the region’s business and entrepreneurial communities to keep the nation’s sailors and Marines on the cutting edge of technology and innovation.
Titled Catapult, the Naval Technology Discovery-to-Development Forum and Expo will take place June 5-6 and is intended to help regional tech talent connect with the Navy.
“The Hampton Roads region is a powerful emerging tech hub, located within the largest concentration of U.S. Navy facilities in the world,” said Rear Adm. David Hahn, chief of Naval Research. “We depend on innovative technologies from companies in the region to give our sailors and Marines the capabilities they need, and we look forward to this event.”
A first of its kind expo, it will bring civilian tech talent, subject matter experts, and Navy technology experts and decision makers together for a series of presentations and discussions, and also question and answer sessions.
Catapult itself is made up of a broad collaboration of regional stakeholders. The panel discussions will include economic development groups and alliances, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, as well as representation from a number of Virginia colleges and universities.
“An event like Catapult provide a unique opportunity for our regional small technology companies and entrepreneurs to meet with Navy decision makers to discuss and showcase their capabilities that could one day be utilized by our warfighters,” said Warren Harris, director of Economic Development for the City of Virginia Beach.
Space is limited and registration for attending or exhibiting is required and can be done online.
