Velocity Summit
The North Carolina Military Business Center and The Protocase Companies will co-present the Velocity Summit on November 17, 2026 in Wilmington, North Carolina.
The Velocity Summit is a one-day event built around a central premise: America’s defense manufacturing capacity problem is, at its heart, a velocity problem. The United States possesses extraordinary engineering talent, technology, capital and advanced manufacturing expertise. However, modern requirements are exposing the consequences of an industrial system that can take years to translate needs into manufactured capability, struggle to expand production when demands change, and it is highly dependent on complex supply chains.
The Velocity Summit will convene senior leaders from across North Carolina and the national defense ecosystem, including top representatives from advanced manufacturing, aerospace and maritime industry, logistics and supply chain, the U.S. military and federal government, public policy, academia and research, workforce development, technology, and economic development.
The Velocity Summit will focus on a fundamental question: what would have to change for the United States to become dramatically faster at turning a military need into manufactured capability at scale, and how can North Carolina lead the way? Participants will examine the entire industrial pathway, including where time is lost between a requirement and a production-ready design; how shipyards, aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers can expand throughput; how manufacturers can accommodate engineering changes without resetting lengthy processes; how smaller machine shops and component suppliers can enter programs faster; and how new manufacturing technologies can transition into production.
Discussions at the Velocity Summit will address production issues, supply chain resilience, workforce development, advanced manufacturing technologies, and strategies to strengthen the Defense Industrial Base. The Velocity Summit will spotlight North Carolina’s manufacturing, military, research, and logistics capabilities and how they can be leveraged to accelerate defense manufacturing and support national security objectives.
When. November 17, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Where. Cape Fear Community College
Union Station Conference Center, Room 508
502 N Front Street Wilmington, NC 28401
Parking Information: Coming Soon.
Why attend? Gain insight into challenges faced by US national security including strengthening the defense industrial base, manufacturing capacity, and speed
- Connect with senior leaders from industry, military, government, academia, and workforce development
- Explore opportunities to support defense programs in aerospace, maritime, advanced manufacturing, logistics, and emerging technologies
- Engage in discussions focused on solutions to production, manufacturing, supply chain challenges, and workforce needs
- Learn how North Carolina’s manufacturing, research, logistics, and military assets can help enhance US defense readiness
Who should attend?
- Manufacturers and defense contractors
- Aerospace, maritime, and logistics professionals
- Military and government leaders
- Technology and innovation companies
- Academia, research, and workforce development organizations
- Economic development professionals
- Organizations interested in supporting U.S. defense readiness and national security initiatives
REGISTRATION COMING SOON
ACCOMMODATIONS. In accordance to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the North Carolina Military Business Center is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you require special accommodations, please contact Courtney Smedick (courtney@ncmbc.us) two weeks prior to the event.
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