Warrior Expo East 2026
Event Date
June 24–25, 2026
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryWarrior East (Warrior Expo East) is a two-day defense industry trade show presented by ADS, Inc. and held at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. ADS, Inc.'s WARRIOR is an exclusive two-day event that offers attendees the opportunity to learn from the industry's best, featuring a large array of new products and innovations that support the missions of the military, federal, state and local governments, and first responders.
Over two days, Warrior attendees receive a crash course in training and equipping the modern warfighter, with a focus on optimizing performance, improving readiness, and increasing lethality and survivability. Attendees network directly with leading suppliers, interact personally with product demos, and connect with ADS Representatives to customize mission-critical solutions.
The show is aimed strictly at a qualified professional audience. Qualified attendees include active duty military, federal/state/local government agencies, law enforcement and first responders. It is worth attending for the combination of hands-on equipment demos, subject-matter-expert-led education, and direct access to manufacturers and procurement guidance under a single roof.
Show Highlights
- Leading Industry Suppliers: Explore the latest solutions from the world's best manufacturers and communicate directly with suppliers to bridge the acquisition gap and move requirements forward.
- New Product Demos: See innovation first-hand and get hands-on experience with the latest equipment to help complete your mission.
- Hands-On Education: Classroom trainings are designed to provide the modern day warrior with applicable courses led by defense industry subject matter experts.
- Networking: Meet with industry experts, leading suppliers and ADS Sales Reps to discuss current and upcoming requirements, the best contract vehicles, and how to best utilize your budget.
- Military-Focused Non-Profits: See what services military and veteran-focused non-profits offer and how you and your agency can help.
Guest Speaker: Four-time Super Bowl champion and NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski. His session is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 8:30–9:15 AM in the Virginia Beach Convention Center Ballroom.
Registration
Registration is handled online through the official Warrior East website via the Government Attendee Registration form. Attendance is restricted and verified.
- Qualified attendees include active duty military, federal/state/local government agencies, law enforcement and first responders.
- Military and government attendees must present official government-issued identification.
- Foreign nationals must pre-register in advance to attend Warrior Expo; ADS conducts background checks on all foreign nationals and may deny entry based on results.
- Foreign nationals are not permitted to register on site at this event.
- Registration is not open to retired military. Warrior is a Widely Attended Gathering (WAG).
Companies interested in exhibiting can apply through the "Want to Exhibit?" section of the event website.
Venue & Travel
Venue
Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th Street
The Virginia Beach Convention Center was the first convention center in the United States to earn LEED® Gold certification as an existing building from the U.S. Green Building Council. The eco-friendly, state-of-the-art facility offers more than 250,000 square feet of programmable event space for events of any capacity. The venue provides up to 150,012 square feet of exhibit space on a single floor, with a 40-foot ceiling height, 350 lbs/sq ft floor load, and full amenities including air conditioning, AV facilities, food services, WiFi, and business center. It has 22 contiguous loading docks located on-grade adjacent to the exhibit hall and ballroom. An event at the center is a full-service experience that includes catering; Distinctive Gourmet is the convention center's on-site, award-winning caterer.
Parking
The Virginia Beach Convention Center provides free parking in the parking lots surrounding the convention center. The main entrance is on 19th Street, with parking on both sides of 19th Street. The parking lots are also accessible from the 1000 block of Virginia Beach Blvd. Approximately 1,350 parking spaces are available.
Getting There
By air: Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is just 20 minutes from the Virginia Beach Convention Center and services the area with over 200 flights daily from most US carriers, including discount airlines, with direct and non-stop flights.
By car: Leaving Norfolk International Airport you will be on Norview Avenue; stay right until you reach I-64 East, then take the I-264 East exit toward the Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the convention center will be on the right-hand side near the end of I-264. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, use the Waze app for traffic and road conditions, and the City's VB Go app to find parking in real time.
Nearby Hotels
The Virginia Beach Convention Center is in downtown Virginia Beach, and there are no hotels in the center itself; the DoubleTree Hotel is two blocks to the west, with the next closest hotels along the coast.
- DoubleTree by Hilton Virginia Beach — 1900 Pavilion Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, closest to the center (about two blocks west).
- Oceanfront / Atlantic Avenue hotels — roughly 0.8–1.3 miles northeast/east of the center near the Oceanfront, Atlantic Avenue, Pacific Avenue and the Virginia Beach Boardwalk.
The center is surrounded by a choice of hotels, restaurants and entertainment just minutes from the Oceanfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Warrior East 2026 held?
Warrior East 2026 takes place June 24-25, 2026, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, located at 1000 19th Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
Who is allowed to attend Warrior East?
Qualified attendees include active duty military, federal/state/local government agencies, law enforcement and first responders. Military and government attendees must present official government-issued identification, and registration is not open to retired military.
How do I register for Warrior East 2026?
Registration is completed online through the Government Attendee Registration form on the official Warrior East website. Foreign nationals must pre-register in advance, undergo an ADS background check, and cannot register on site.
What can I expect at the show?
The two-day event features leading defense industry suppliers, hands-on new product demos, classroom education led by subject matter experts, and networking with industry experts and ADS sales representatives. A guest keynote by NFL champion Rob Gronkowski is scheduled for Thursday, June 25.
What are the parking and airport options?
The Virginia Beach Convention Center offers free parking in the lots surrounding the venue, with roughly 1,350 spaces. Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is about 20 minutes away and offers over 200 flights daily.
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