ADC50 is a three-day, integrated celebration of Association of Defense Communities (ADC)’s 50th anniversary, May 11–13, 2026, in Washington, DC. Bringing together a special edition of the Defense Communities National Summit and our signature anniversary event, A Celebration of America’s Defense Communities, ADC50 will convene more than 1,500 leaders from the Department of Defense (DoD), Congress, installations, industry, and communities. This once-in-a-generation moment will honor five decades of partnership and rally the nation around a simple truth: national security starts at home, in the defense communities whose strength, resilience, and unwavering support allow missions—and military families—to thrive.
National Security Starts at Home.TM
Two Big Events. One Historic Anniversary.
Grand Hyatt, Washington, DC
May 11–13, 2026
The Anthem @ The Wharf, Washington, DC
May 12, 2026
Agenda At-a-Glance
Monday, May 11
8:00 AM
Registration Open 9:00 – 10:15 AM
Military Leadership Town Halls 10:15 – 10:30 AM
Networking Break 10:30 – 11:45 AM
Defense Community Council Forum 11:45 – 12:15 PM
Networking Lunch (Provided) 12:15 – 1:30 PM
Opening General Session 1:30 – 2:00 PM
Networking Break 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Afternoon General Session 3:30 – 4:00 PM
Networking Break 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Breakout Sessions 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Networking Reception
Tuesday, May 12
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Networking Breakfast 8:30 – 10:00 AM
Morning General Session I 10:00 – 10:30 AM
Networking Break 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Morning General Session II 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Break (on your own) 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
ADC Council Meetings 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Afternoon General Session 2:30 – 2:45 PM
Networking Break 2:45 – 3:30 PM
Breakout Sessions (3) 4:00 PM
Shuttle service to Anthem/ADC 50th begins 4:30 PM
ADC 50th Pre-Reception Begins (Anthem) 5:30 – 7:00 PM
ADC 50th Main Event - A Celebration of America’s Defense Communities (Anthem) 7:00 PM
Post-Event Networking
Wednesday, May 13
8:00 – 9:30 AM
Breakfast Table Discussion/General Session 9:30 – 9:45 AM
Networking Break 9:45 – 10:30 AM
Breakout Sessions 10:30 – 10:45 AM
Networking Break 10:45 – 11:30 AM
Breakout Sessions
Hotel & Travel
The official host hotel for ADC50 is the Grand Hyatt Washington, located in the heart of downtown Washington, DC. This centrally located hotel will host the ADC50 Defense Communities National Summit and offers convenient access to key destinations—approximately 10 minutes to The Wharf, where our anniversary celebration will be held, and about 10 minutes from Capitol Hill.
ADC’s special event room rate is limited, and we expect the host hotel to sell out. We encourage attendees to book early using the reservation link.
Federal attendees seeking per diem–compliant rooms should email info@defensecommunities.org for additional information.
Registration
Two major events. One registration.
There are three ways to participate in ADC 50, outlined below. Each option includes access to both the Defense Communities National Summit and the ADC50 Celebration.
Community/State Partnerships
Tiered options that include discounted passes to the Defense Communities National Summit and reserved tables at A Celebration of America’s Defense Communities.
Industry Sponsorship
A range of sponsorship packages that include discounted Summit registrations and reserved tables at A Celebration of America’s Defense Communities.
Individual / Federal Registration
This includes a full conference pass to the Defense Communities National Summit and general admission to A Celebration of America’s Defense Communities (for community attendees). Federal attendees may attend at no cost, but seating will be limited.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Be an ADC50 Supporter
This unique event will draw broad, high-level engagement from DoD leadership, Congress, national partners, and leaders from hundreds of defense communities—all coming together to celebrate America’s defense communities and shape the collaborative future of our defense installations. It is a rare opportunity to be at the center of the conversation as we define the next era of partnership that underpins our national security.
Sponsorship turns visibility into influence with premium branding, thought-leadership roles, VIP access, and year-long storytelling tied to ADC’s 50th anniversary. Partners help set the agenda, build relationships with senior leaders and community executives, and demonstrate a real commitment to the places where national security starts at home.
About ADC’s 50th Anniversary
ADC’s 50th anniversary is more than a celebration—it’s a year-long effort to honor the legacy of defense communities and shape the future of how we support our military at home. Through ADC50, we’re using this milestone to strengthen our national influence, deepen relationships across DoD, industry, Congress, and communities, and reinforce a simple truth: national security starts at home.
The program highlights the progress we’re making together—launching new efforts like the Defense Community Supporter Program and upcoming Defense Community Council, advancing policy initiatives such as the Partnership Roadmap and the National Security Starts at Home campaign, and telling our story through the Homefront video series, which will conclude with a final episode premiering at ADC50.
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