WEST 2023 Sponsorship and Branding Opportunities
AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute have developed an enhanced sponsorship program for WEST 2023 that will offer maximum visibility to those who participate! What better way to make sure you stand out and increase your exposure than at this foremost event in which industry leaders can learn about military requirements and connect with decision makers and operators, where senior military and government officials can gain feedback from sea service warfighters, and where industry thought leaders will discuss and demonstrate sea service solutions? Sponsorship opportunities are offered at a several investment levels, ensuring your ability to participate.
Browse available options below, or jump to specific categories: Patron Packages, Individual Sponsorships and Advertising Opportunities. Branding Opportunities will be available soon.
Have an idea for a sponsorship not listed below? We are here to ensure you have the best conference experience. We are happy to create a custom sponsorship package to meet your specific needs. Let us know your vision, objective and budget and we’ll create a customized opportunity just for you.
All Sponsorships and Branding Opportunities for WEST 2023 are now closed.
Awards at WEST 2023
Copernicus Award
About the Award:
The Copernicus Award was established in 1997 as a result of a discussion among Lieutenant General C. Norman Wood, USAF (Ret.), then President and CEO of AFCEA International, Captain James A. Barber, USN (Ret.), then Publisher and CEO of the U.S. Naval Institute, and the late Vice Admiral Art Cebrowski, USN, who was the Navy N6 at that time. The name for the award came from the Copernicus Architecture used as the blueprint for the future C4I structure of the Navy. Recipients are selected based on their sustained superior performance in a C4I/IT-related job. The board of judges make selections each year after reviewing active-duty and civilian applicants from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute present the awards at their annual WEST Conference held in San Diego each winter. Click Here to read more.
Enlisted Superior Performer Award
About the Award:
The Enlisted Superior Performer (ESP) Award presented by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute recognizes the service of those military members who have been selected by their commands for particularly superior service in the past year. Recipients are awarded one-year memberships in both the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA International. This year’s ESPs will be recognized during the keynote sessions at the WEST Conference at the San Diego Convention Center. This award presentation has been a feature of this conference for several years.
View the complete list of Enlisted Superior Performer Award Presentations.
Emerging Leaders Awards
About the Awards:
Individual Award: Distinguished Young Professional
The Distinguished Young Professional Award recognizes and rewards exceptional performance in four areas: leadership and guidance for the Emerging Leader program; superior technical achievement in the professional arena; a record of going "above and beyond" at the local AFCEA chapter or region level; and mentoring provided for other Emerging Leaders. Nominees for this award are evaluated through September of the current year. Click Here to read more.
Individual Award: Emerging Leadership
The Emerging Leadership Award is given for exceptional service to AFCEA at the local and/or International level. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continuous leadership in Emerging Leader activities since winning the Distinguished Young AFCEAN or Distinguished Young Professional award. Nominees for this award are evaluated through September of the current year. Click Here to read more.
Emerging Leader Chapter of the Year Award
The Emerging Leader Chapter of the Year Award is given to the one chapter which has most significantly contributed to the professional development of Emerging Leaders by providing a forum of programs and initiatives geared to their unique needs. Chapters of similar size compete with each other for this award and there are five different size categories. Click Here to read more.
Model Emerging Leader Program
The purpose of the Model Emerging Leader Program recognition is to strengthen the program of activities for Emerging Leaders at chapters, and to encourage chapters to create Emerging Leader programs if they do not already have one. The program will measure the strength, growth and activities of a chapter’s Emerging Leader program over the period of a full fiscal year. Click Here to read more.
U.S. Naval Institute Essay Contest Awards
About the Award:
The U.S. Naval Institute provides an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security. Each year, the Institute sponsors a number of essay contests. The winners of two of these contests will be recognized at WEST 2023.
Essay contests have been central to the work of the Naval Institute for more than 140 years. They directly fulfill the Institute’s educational mission by encouraging writing on issues of concern to the Sea Services. They provide thought-provoking articles that spur ongoing discussion —not only in Naval Institute media (print and digital) but also in other leading defense and national security forums.
2022 Essay Contest Winners
Women's Appreciation Award
About the Award:
This award recognizes and honors AFCEA members of any gender who have gone above and beyond to further the careers of women. AFCEA contributions will be more heavily weighted than professional performance in the decision process. Winners are selected by members of the Women Awards Committee. The award will be presented at the annual Women's Appreciation Event held at WEST each year. Click Here to read more.