National defense priorities, emerging technology, and economic development will take center stage in the Black Hills when the Defense & Industry Symposium returns April 8–9, 2026, at the Box Elder Events Center.
The annual symposium brings together military leadership, defense contractors, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence experts, government agencies, and higher-education partners from across the country — positioning the Black Hills as a strategic hub in national security and innovation conversations.
Hosted by the Black Hills Military Advisory Coalition and presented by Northrop Grumman, the event highlights how global defense decisions intersect with regional workforce development, infrastructure investment, and long-term economic growth.
Topics at the 2026 symposium include artificial intelligence and cyber defense, energy and infrastructure resilience, war-gaming scenarios, doing business with the federal government, and the relationship between family quality of life and force readiness — issues that directly affect military communities and local economies throughout western South Dakota.
Organizers say the event is designed not only for defense professionals, but also for business owners, educators, students, and community leaders interested in how national security initiatives influence jobs, technology adoption, and regional stability.
The symposium also provides rare access to national-level speakers and decision-makers without requiring travel outside the region, drawing attendees and exhibitors from across the defense and technology sectors.
Additional information is available at bhsymposium.com.
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