A special 50th anniversary edition of ADC’s premier D.C. convening for defense communities, industry, government, and the armed services. The pace of change across the Department of Defense is rapid—new leadership, new ideas, and significant shifts on the horizon—with real implications for installations and the communities that support them. 

This year’s Summit honors ADC’s legacy and, more importantly, looks ahead, bringing leaders together to set priorities, advance solutions, and help shape the next 50 years of support for service members, their families, and America’s defense communities. 

The 2026 program will deliver timely insights on defense policy, partnership, and readiness, connecting attendees directly with decision-makers and peers from across the country. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and how national decisions translate into local impact at installations and in surrounding communities.

Why Attend?

The ADC50 Summit is designed for leaders who need more than updates. They need context, connection, and influence. Attendees will engage in meaningful dialogue with DoD and congressional leaders, exchange ideas with fellow community and industry partners, and leave better equipped to navigate change, advocate effectively, and strengthen collaboration in the year ahead.

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Program Highlights

Defense Community Council Town Hall

ADC will kick off the inaugural meeting of the new Defense Community Council at the Summit, bringing together representatives from 200+ defense communities to strengthen coordination and engagement nationwide.

Senior Military Leadership Town Halls

Hear directly from senior military leaders in high-level briefings that set the stage for the Summit and provide critical perspective on priorities and challenges.

General Sessions

ADC will continue its tradition of featuring prominent congressional leaders, senior DoD officials, and national experts across five major general sessions over the three-day event.

Attendee Discussion Groups

Building on the success of attendee-driven discussions at IIF, the Summit will host facilitated breakfast roundtables to encourage peer-to-peer exchange on shared challenges and solutions.

Networking & Engagement

Join Us

Interested in being part of the Summit? Contact Nonja Hayden at nhadyen@defenesecommunities.org for more information on opportunities for engagement.

National Partners
Past Sponsors

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