DISC Session Summary: Empowering the Future: Enhancing the DoD Industrial Workforce

As global supply chains become more complex and contested, the Department of Defense must strengthen its logistics and supply chain workforce. This panel brings together leaders from government, industry, and academia to share innovative workforce development strategies. Panelists will address challenges in talent acquisition and retention, the effects of onshoring, and the value of cross-sector collaboration. Attendees will learn about impactful training programs, credentialing efforts, and tools shaping the future supply chain workforce. 

Whether you’re an educator, logistics expert, or industry partner, this session offers practical ideas and collaboration opportunities to help maintain the DoD’s workforce as a strategic edge. 

The Offices of US Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, and the North Carolina Military Business Center are pleased to announce the Defense Industrial Sustainment for Combat Systems Summit (DISC) on March 18-19, 2026 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

When. March 18-19, 2026

Where. The University of North Carolina, The Friday Center, 100 Friday Center Drive, Chapel Hill NC 27517

Premise of the DISC Summit

  • The defense aerospace, ground vehicle, maritime and armaments markets represent tremendous business opportunity
  • OEMs, subcontractors, service providers and suppliers are often siloed in these market sectors
  • Future sustainment and supply chain resilience will require breaking silos, engaging new businesses and promoting dialogue among the defense industrial and R&D ecosystem

Goals of the DISC Summit:

  • Engaging current and prospective suppliers and service providers to leverage prime contracting opportunities with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies across these market silos
  • Engaging current and prospective suppliers to leverage subcontracting opportunities with OEMS/prime contractors across these market silos 
  • Informing the industrial/academia R&D ecosystem about future defense technology imperatives, and agencies about emerging and future technologies in these sectors
  •  Establishing a productive and DIRECT dialogue around critical issues in the defense industrial market – including supply chain, maintenance/repair/overhaul (MRO), workforce, inflation and barriers to entry

Who should participate:

  • Current OEMs, prime contractors, suppliers and service providers in the defense aerospace, ground vehicle, maritime, and armaments markets
  • Businesses considering engaging as an OEM, prime contractor, supplier and/or service provider within these markets
  • Industry and academia-based entities conducting R&D and new product development 
  • Federal and Defense agencies engaged in requirements generation, acquisition, sustainment, and R&D within these markets

Attendee and exhibitor registration is now open. Sponsorships are available.