AFCEA/INSA Intelligence & National Security Summit

The AFCEA/INSA Intelligence & National Security Summit is the metro’s marquee unclassified gathering for intelligence, defense, and national-security professionals—more than 2,000 government, industry, and academia attendees across plenaries, ignite rounds, and an exhibit hall. The 13th annual edition runs August 26–27, 2026 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center (Rockville address, Bethesda North branding). AFCEA and INSA are the nonprofit co-hosts; registration and sponsorship fund year-round workforce and mission programs, not a for-profit trade show alone.

For Circuit Washington, this is the clear national-security week in the rolling window—especially for diaspora technologists, cleared or clearable engineers, and govcon firms selling into the IC and defense ecosystem. It is not a chamber mixer and not a startup happy hour; badge cost and audience seriousness are higher. Use intelsummit.org and the 26inss registration portal for packages; re-check hotel blocks on the Hotel & Travel page.

Wednesday–Thursday, August 26–27, 2026 at Bethesda North Marriott, 5701 Marinelli Road, Rockville. Buy the registration tier that matches your sector (government vs. industry), study the program for must-see sessions, and plan Red Line / garage logistics early. Exhibit-hall conversations often matter as much as plenary seats.

This summit is right if you are an intelligence or national-security practitioner, cleared technologist, or industry partner who needs IC density. A free DCSTW rooftop, a $5 bar social, and life-science speed networking without a mission badge are different weeks. Bring a mission-relevant one-pager and compliance awareness; do not treat the floor like a consumer expo.