About WEST Conference

The Premier Naval Conference and Exposition on the West Coast

Sea Service leaders today confront profound and rapidly changing threats in a landscape of increasingly complex challenges. Join us at WEST, January 28-30, 2025, to engage with Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard leaders and industry and academia experts in this extraordinary opportunity to explore the depths of the unique issues they confront.

Engage in discussions, network with peers and be a part of devising the needed solutions to enhance operational capabilities that overcome evolving threats. Gain knowledge and forge connections while discovering the latest platforms, cutting-edge technologies and advanced capabilities crucial to supporting maritime operations.

WEST Frequently Asked Questions

  Who attends WEST?

WEST connects the industry professionals who design and build the platforms, equipment and weapons with the designers of communications and technical systems. To complete their missions successfully, more than 150,000 professionals in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who live in the San Diego area depend on the open discussions and valuable networking WEST provides.

Senior military and government officials talk directly to the operators to gain valuable feedback directly from them. Industry leaders attend because they can connect with decision makers and operators over the three-day event.

  When and where does WEST take place?

The event takes place January 28-30, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

  Where can I learn more about the exhibit hall?

For the first time, WEST will have two different exhibit halls. Check out the Exhibit Hall Map - Primary  and Exhibit Hall Map - Sails Pavilion to see all available options. Additionally, the exhibitor list will show which organizations and agencies are participating as you plan your trip to the exhibit hall.

  Are there any age restrictions in the exhibit hall?

No one under the age of 18 is allowed in the exhibit hall at any time.

A comprehensive Health and Safety Plan has been developed for your benefit. Attendees will be required to abide by all policies in the Health and Safety Plan or risk being excused from WEST.

Please check back for updates frequently. Please also review our current Health and Well-being Code of Conduct. You may also review the San Diego Convention Center’s health information here.

  When will WEST take place in the future?

WEST takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

WEST 2026 - February 10-12, 2026
WEST 2027 - February 16-18, 2027
WEST 2028 - January 11-13, 2028
WEST 2029 - January 9-11, 2029
WEST 2030 - January 8-10, 2030

  Who to contact?

Are you looking for more information? Please visit the Contact Us page if you have questions regarding general conference information, attending, exhibiting or sponsoring.

  What is the conference theme?

The WEST 2025 theme is: "The Future is Now: Are We Advancing Operational Capabilities That Pace the Threat?"

Registration & Program Questions

  How do I register?

Registration will open mid-October 2024.

Contact the WEST Registration Center with any further questions at (703) 449-6418 or westregistration@spargoinc.com.

  Where can I find the conference agenda?

Explore all of the sessions, keynotes, trainings and more at this year's conference in the Conference Agenda.

  Where can I find housing information?

Housing reservations will open fall 2024. All housing and contact information can be found on the Locations, Dates and Hotel page.

Important reminder to book your hotel needs only through the Official Housing Company, SPARGO, Inc. WEST cannot guarantee reservations made through any other source are valid.

  Can I earn reserve credits for attending WEST?

Members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve have been authorized to earn one point retirement credit for attendance. Reserve and National Guard (Army and Air Force) personnel may participate on a non-pay credit basis with approval of their unit commanders. Bring unit forms to the conference operations office located in the Operations Center on the exhibit floor for validation.

  Are there professional development opportunities?

WEST’s commitment to professional development includes keynotes, panels and special presentations on the issues affecting today’s Sea Service community.

The Continuing Education page can be found here.

  Where do I pick up my badge?

Information on where to pick up badges will be posted closer to the event.

Know Before You Go

  Is there transportation and parking?

A limited amount of parking is available on site at the San Diego Convention Center and more information can be found here. Additionally, information on transportation to and around the San Diego Convention Center can be found here.

  Who should I contact if I need assistance at the conference?

AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute support the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Attendees with special needs should call (703) 631-6126 or email events@afcea.org.

  What is the recommended attire?

Attendees:
Professional business attire is suggested. Military personnel are encouraged to wear the appropriate uniform of the day.

Speakers:
Active duty military speakers are encouraged to wear Army Service B Uniform (USA), Air Force Service B Uniform (USAF), Khaki Uniforms with Ribbons (USN), Service B “Bravo” (USMC) or Tropical Blue (USCG). Civilian presenters are encouraged to wear equivalent professional business attire.

  What is the policy for photography, videography and audio recording?

Attendees are not permitted to photograph, record, or videotape any portion of the WEST conference proceedings. Working members of the press are required to preregister and check in at the press desk at registration to photograph and/or videotape at the show.

Exhibit personnel may photograph and/or videotape only their personnel and equipment within the confines of their booth.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in confiscation of devices or material and administrative action under applicable government guidelines.

Attendees understand that AFCEA, the U.S. Naval Institute, and their authorized representatives (show management) may conduct interviews and may take photographs and/or videotape in any part of the WEST conference and exhibit hall. These photographs, videos, and recordings are for use by show management in publications or other media material produced for the purposes of conference promotion, including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television and websites. Attendee and exhibitor registration grants show management permission and consent for use of this photography and video.

Exhibiting & Sponsor Information

  How can I exhibit and/or sponsor?

Exhibiting opportunities and Exhibitor Demo & Business Suites are now available. Sponsorship opportunities are not yet available; please check back later this year, or contact our team if you wish to be notified when offerings are released.

Questions? Contact Us!

Companies beginning with #-K, contact:
Jozy Tier
571-385-4267
joseanna.tier@spargoinc.com

Companies beginning with L-Z, contact:
Jessica Neiers
703-679-3961
jessica.neiers@spargoinc.com

  What should I budget for?
  • Always order your services before the discount deadlines. Generally, these deadlines are 21 days before the show. Please check for actual deadline dates in your Exhibitor Resource Center.
  • Consolidate your freight and shrink wrap it to avoid additional material handling charges.
  • For large groups use shuttle transportation rather than individual taxi service.
  • Always bring back up supplies so you don’t have to rent them at a premium at the show.
  • Some items are more cost effective to bring on your own rather than renting them over and over again at every show. (i.e. power strips, extension cords, artificial plants, waste baskets, etc.)
  • Consider the costs of rental displays, carpet and booth furnishing versus shipping and material handling charges for your own display.
  • Meet your freight target times (if applicable), and instruct your drivers to check in at the marshaling yard before the deadline time noted in the Exhibitor Resource Center to avoid additional surcharges.
  • For larger booths - ship hanging signs and carpet in advance to allow for straight-time installation when possible.
  Are attendee lists provided to third parties?

WEST and SPARGO, Inc. (Event Management) encourages you to be aware of organizations who claim to have access to the WEST Attendee List, as they may try to sell this list to you. Please note neither the conference co-hosts, AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, nor SPARGO distributes an attendee list or any attendee information and DOES NOT offer list rental services. Like many successful trade shows today, WEST is targeted by unethical businesses that scrape email addresses from websites to contact participants about list rentals, hotels and other sales offers. WEST and SPARGO take data security, your privacy and privacy of the attendees very seriously.

Prepare to be Aware

Conferences present opportunities for America's adversaries to target U.S. government employees, academia, defense industry and other personnel to collect our critical information. Be a hard target! Use good OPSEC practices to protect yourself and your organization's mission.

Recommendations:

  • Be aware of your surroundings when discussing sensitive unclassified critical information during the conference and after hours, in common/public areas (e.g. social gatherings, networking mixers, etc.).
  • Be suspicious of strangers. Even though they sound like they belong at the conference, don't assume they are there for the same purpose as you.
  • Use caution when sharing information with someone you don't know. Ask others to confirm a person's identity before sharing critical information about your organization's past, ongoing or future operations/activities/events. Protect your personal information, such as your room number and daily schedule. Don't give out your business cards freely, particularly when outside the United States. Remember, phishing is still the #1 adversary threat vector into your personal and government computers/devices/networks.
  • If you use a laptop or other portable electronic device (personal or government-owned), use it cautiously. Disable the Bluetooth and WLAN/Wi-Fi connections when not in use, and if you use this type of connectivity, understand that you may expose personal and work-related critical information to an adversary. Be especially cautious when using unencrypted/unsecure WLAN/Wi-Fi hotspots.

BE SMART! BE SAFE! PRACTICE GOOD OPSEC!