MaSSSoftech

The city could get a huge boost in its revenue stream this week as nearly 6,000 people are expected to converge on Montgomery for the 22nd Air Force Information Technology Conference.
It's the biggest event in the Capital City and is anticipated to generate about $15 million over the four days it's at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center, said Dawn Hathcock, vice president for convention and visitor development for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.

The conference broke attendance goals in 2008 -- despite tornadoes on the first day -- drawing 6,110 attendees, said Jason Bishop, spokesman for the 754th Electronic Systems Group at Gunter Annex. The 754th hosts the conference.

This year's theme is "Air Force IT: The Warfighter's Edge in Battlespace." It will focus on the technologies that help troops on the battlefield and allow government and industry leaders to learn about current capabilities and discuss future technologies.

Several big names are slated to speak at the conference, including Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Norman Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff; and Gen. Robert Kehler, Air Force Space Command Commander, among other military leaders.

In addition, workshops will be led by representatives from several leading information technology companies that are participating in the conference. About 200 vendors also are expected.

"The priority is to bring together industry and government and academia in order to promote the technologies for today and tomorrow ... and how we can best utilize the applications of these technologies," said 1st Lt. Nicolas Aquino, chairman of this year's conference.

Aquino headed a committee of 234 volunteers and partnered with the
chamber, the city of Montgomery, the Montgomery chapter of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and others to plan the four-day session.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery, is a keynote speaker Tuesday. He's a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee.

John Caporal, deputy director of the Air Force Small Business Programs, will kick off the small business matchmaking sessions that are designed to help small business get government and industry contracts or partnerships.

Each year, the conference is open to Department of Defense personnel, government contractors, college educators, local and state employees and college students majoring in IT or business.

Hathcock said the majority of generated revenue comes from hotel bookings and dining, but also from transportation and vendors who organize private parties throughout the week.