Surface Navy Annual National Symposium 2027

According to the organizer, recent symposiums have drawn 90+ exhibitors and 4,000+ attendees. The audience is made up of military, industry, and government leaders. It gathers experts and decision makers in the military, industry, and Congress to discuss how the Surface Force is a critical element of national defense in an era of great power competition. Earlier editions reported roughly 80+ exhibitors and 3,000+ attendees, reflecting the event's steady growth.

Registration is handled through the Surface Navy Association and typically opens in mid-November ahead of the January event. Attendees can pre-register online or register onsite. New registrants may sign up in person starting the Saturday before the symposium at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City.

Key points for registrants:

• A virtual-only registration option has been offered for those unable to attend in person.
• Onsite registration materials are picked up at the Registration Area in the hotel lobby.
• Cancellation policy (from a recent edition): cancellations before the posted deadline receive a refund minus a $30 processing fee, with no refunds after the cutoff; switching from in-person to virtual-only does not generate a refund.

Exhibitors indicate interest via an online Intent Form and can review corporate/booth pricing and guidelines through the organizer's exhibitor materials.

The Surface Navy Association has supported the symposium since its founding. SNA describes itself as an association at the center of Surface Warfare and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association. The organization has been supporting surface warriors and their families since 1985.

The National Symposium is held annually each January in the Washington, D.C. area. The 2025 event marked the 37th Annual National Symposium, with subsequent editions continuing each year, reflecting the show's role as a long-running fixture in the defense and naval calendar.