10 Trending GovCon Events on G2X | September 3, 2026

These 10 upcoming GovCon events drew the most attention on The GovCon Calendar in the past 24 hours. The set spans an evening of GovCon networking aboard the USS Constellation in Baltimore, large defense and technology gatherings such as the Air, Space and Cyber Conference and FedTalks 2026, and practitioner programs on AI governance, post-quantum cryptography and federal infrastructure. A virtual VA business opportunity session focused on NCO 16 rounds out the list for small businesses.

1. The Pirate Code of GovCon - aboard the Historic USS Constellation

Aboard the historic USS Constellation in Baltimore, this Collabolutions gathering asks attendees to help write the first crowdsourced Pirate Code of GovCon, a collection of unwritten rules and practical wisdom from government contracting work. The September 3, 2026 program is built for acquisition professionals, program leaders, contractors, technologists and mission partners, with facilitated discussions on GovCon realities and government-industry collaboration. The in-person format includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, a five-hour open bar, cannon firing, ship exploration and a pirate attire contest. The evening also supports Operation Dream Maker through Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, which grants wishes for children of active-duty military members and veterans.

2. 2026 Fort Benning Maneuver Warfighter Conference

Direct access to Army decision-makers anchors the 2026 Fort Benning Maneuver Warfighter Conference, set for September 15 through September 17 at McGinnis-Wickam Hall, home of the Maneuver Center of Excellence headquarters. The Federal Business Council conference focuses on defense technology including robotics, AI, autonomy, survivability, sustainment, mobility and lethality. The audience includes program managers, acquisition leaders, capability developers, operational commanders and defense contractors. Companies participate through tabletop and exhibit packages, with indoor options priced at $3,495 and $4,495, an outdoor option at $4,495, and a Gold package at $6,495. An icebreaker reception opens the in-person program in Fort Benning, Georgia.

3. FedTalks 2026

FedTalks 2026 brings federal technology leadership to Washington, D.C. on November 17 for a one-day summit on AI, cybersecurity, cloud, quantum computing, digital services and zero trust. Organized by FedScoop, the hybrid program is described as the largest annual gathering of C-level executives and innovators in the federal technology space. The agenda features leaders from OMB, CISA, GSA and CIA alongside industry executives, with sessions on winning the AI race, security in the age of AI, IT modernization and commercial technology applications. The audience centers on government and tech community leaders tracking multi-billion dollar priorities around AI adoption, zero-trust migration and IT modernization.

4. 2026 AI Conference

Practical finance use cases shape the 2026 AI Conference on October 13, organized by the Greater Washington Society of CPAs as a hybrid program. The audience includes government contractors, corporate finance teams, public accounting professionals and nonprofit leaders. Sessions cover AI governance, risk and workflow integration, deployment and change management, data governance, vendor selection and live demonstrations of tools including Microsoft Copilot for financial analysis and regulatory review. A real-world panel and a strategic leadership and roadmap workshop round out the day. Registration is listed at $400 for members and $500 for non-members, with attention to data readiness and responsible adoption.

5. 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference

Air and space dominance, force development and cyber capabilities headline the 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference, running September 14 through September 16 in National Harbor, Maryland. Organized by the Air and Space Forces Association, the in-person event at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center combines more than 40 sessions with technology exhibit halls and nearly 300 booths. Military leaders, defense companies and government stakeholders attend to track emerging Department of Defense requirements, compare technologies and find partners. For contractors, the value is concentrated in assessing mission priorities across air, space and cyber, then putting relevant offerings in front of prospective customers.

6. 2026 FedCiv Summit

Federal civilian priorities take center stage at the 2026 FedCiv Summit on October 29, hosted by the Potomac Officers Club. The in-person summit focuses on AI adoption, infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, cloud, data and workforce enablement across civilian agencies. Senior government leaders and industry executives attend to discuss mission priorities, procurement shifts and expectations for industry partners in the coming fiscal year. The full-day agenda moves from opening remarks and morning keynotes through parallel morning panels, networking breaks and a networking lunch, then afternoon panels closing with afternoon and closing keynotes and closing comments.

7. 2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography Summit - In Person

Quantum readiness is the focus on September 16, when the General Services Administration hosts its 2026 Post-Quantum Cryptography Summit in Washington, DC. The hybrid session meets in the Department of Transportation West Atrium and brings together federal agencies, industry experts and implementation partners. Discussion centers on post-quantum migration strategy, crypto-agility, identity management and how GSA contract vehicles could support quantum-safe technology buys. The program is most relevant for federal cyber and identity contractors, agency technology and security leaders, modernization delivery teams, and capture professionals tracking GSA procurement routes for quantum-safe solutions.

8. Federal AI Summit

Stanford hosts a cross-sector look at AI in the built environment on September 9 and September 10 with the Federal AI Summit at Tresidder Oak Lounge. Organized by the Society of American Military Engineers and Stanford Center for Integrated Facility Engineering, the in-person summit examines responsible and cybersecure AI across federal infrastructure, military engineering and the architecture, engineering and construction lifecycle. Topics include federal AI policy and governance, implementation, cybersecurity, international regulatory perspectives, research and investment. Keynotes and panels draw government, A/E/C, technology, research and investment participants, including capture leaders pursuing federal infrastructure work, delivery leaders applying AI across the lifecycle, and agency technology executives tracking governance.

9. HHS 2030 Summit 2026

Health and human services modernization moves from policy to delivery at the HHS 2030 Summit 2026, set for October 19 and October 20 at the Omni Oklahoma City. Staged by Global True North in partnership with Governing and Government Technology, the in-person forum is invitation-only for eligible public-sector leaders. The program covers public-private-civic collaboration, person-centered service delivery, emerging technology use cases, evidence and outcomes, implementation infrastructure, culture and policymaker alignment. Attendance centers on public-sector HHS executives and transformation leaders, with contractor participation tied to HHS 2030 membership or program partnership rather than open conference registration.

10. Save the Date - VHA Procurement & Logistics Office (P&LO) Regional Program Office (RPO) Central (NCO 16) Quarterly Virtual Business Opportunity Session

Small businesses tracking veterans health work get a targeted briefing on September 23 through this virtual business opportunity session for the VHA Procurement and Logistics Office Regional Program Office Central, or NCO 16. Organized through the VA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Direct Access Program, the Cisco WebEx session focuses on regional contracting and small-business outreach. Coverage includes construction, architectural and engineering services, healthcare, and maintenance and repair. The audience is capture and business-development leads at SDVOSBs, VOSBs and other small firms, particularly those pursuing VA facilities or medical equipment work, seeking visibility into regional procurement focus before qualifying opportunities.

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