SMC Industry Days Coming Soon Published March 30, 2007 By John Wagner SMC Director of Staff Los Angeles -- The Los Angeles chapters of the Air Force Association (AFA), the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the Southern California Aerospace Professional Representatives and National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) are co-sponsoring the 2007 SMC Industry Days with the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). It will be held at the Long Beach Marriott, Long Beach, Calif., April 17-19 2007. The theme of this year's event is 'Turning the Corner of Space Acquisition." Senior military and industry panel members and speakers will speak about how space has changed the way we plan and execute our warfighting responsibilities. SMC System wing commanders and program directors will talk about future procurements, modernization efforts and fiscal realities. Additionally, there will be a government panel, hosted by SMC Vice Commander Brig Gen Neil McCasland, to discuss some of the lean initiatives SMC is undertaking. Dr. William Balhaus, The Aerospace Corporation president and CEO, will lead an industry panel. The conference includes a dinner featuring Lt. Gen. (Ret) Ronald Kadish as the keynote speaker, April 18. The general, a former director of the Missile Defense Agency, will provide his insights into changes and challenges facing the AF acquisition. In conjunction with SMC Industry Days, the 34th annual Sports Day Golf Tournament, sponsored by the local AFA Schriever Chapter, will be held at the Skylinks Golf Course. The tournament is scheduled for the afternoon of April 19. SMC Industry Days is an opportunity to stimulate much needed dialogue between the national defense space program and industry. To register for the conference or golf tournament, click here