I/ITSEC sees record attendance, participation.

• Author: Robb, James
• Position: NDIA News

* The Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2015 was a spectacular success by every measure.

With almost 15,000 in attendance, the event saw increases in every category of registration. Throughout 2015, senior government leaders re-emphasized the value of bringing government and industry together to discuss requirements, debate trends and demonstrate new capabilities.

With virtually all the leaders in the training community at one site, I/ITSEC provided one-stop shopping for meeting, market research and next-generation technology.

This year's outpouring from the government side was remarkable. Not only did government registrations increase by almost 650 attendees, service chief level participation and the number of senior leaders and decision makers present was the highest ever. The National Training and Simulation Association, an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association, will continue to work government attendance issues, but the trend is up and the outlook for I/ITSEC 2016 is extremely bright.

Reps. Bobby Scott, R-Va., and John Mica, R-Fla., reported in keynote speeches that there is great support for defense in Congress and that they are working hard to stabilize funding. Vice Adm. William F. "Bill" Moran, deputy chief of naval operations, highlighted the Navy's substantial effort to revolutionize its training.

Waymon Armstrong, founder and CEO of Engineering & Computer Simulations, gave an inspiring talk on the need to take risks in pursuit of next-generation technologies.

The flag/general officer panel noted that we have not "played hurt"--engaged in combat with degraded systems or communications--for a long time and that we need to continually analyze asymmetric ways enemies will engage us at home and abroad.

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller and a dream team of Marine Corps senior leaders discussed the service's training vision and implementation. Their message was clear--synthetic environments are a key element of the future USMC training strategy.

I/ITSEC panels included the topics of joint strike fighter training, cyber, energy and medical simulation. We also had a robust international agenda with speakers from around the globe featuring panels from Europe and new participation from the Asia Pacific Simulation Alliance. There were also lessons learned from Exercise Trident Juncture, the largest NATO exercise held since the Cold War.

I/ITSEC 2015 featured a number...