Spring Symposium - Integrating Emerging Tech: Challenges and Solutions
April 22, 2025 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM
It was a full house at the Spring Symposium on Tuesday, April 22, at the INSA Conference Center!
The day-long program spotlighted the integration of emerging technologies and featured dynamic keynotes, engaging ignite rounds, and thought-provoking panel discussions—along with ample time for networking and relationship connections.
Morning Keynote
The day kicked off with Taka Ariga, Former Chief AI Officer and CDO, OPM, discussing the challenges of integrating emerging technologies in government, the critical role of agile governance, and the importance of workforce training to ensure responsible AI adoption. Taka also emphasized the need to balance technical advancement with transparency, security, and democratic values in the face of global competition.
China Counterintelligence Challenges
Speakers:
David Cattler, Director, DCSA
Sandrea Hwang, Senior Executive, NCSC
Roman Rozhavsky, Assistant Director, Counterintelligence Division, FBI
The Hon. Bill Evanina, Founder and CEO, Evanina Group, LLC (moderator)
Speakers spoke on China as the top counterintelligence threat, citing sophisticated tactics like resume phishing, insider recruitment, and misuse of research collaborations to access classified U.S. technology and data. They emphasized that while awareness is improving across industry and academia, security still faces cultural and structural barriers, especially with remote work and outdated espionage laws. Looking ahead, threats from quantum computing, AI misuse, and attacks on critical infrastructure underscore the urgent need for proactive investment and integration of security at every organizational level. Panelists urged the need for faster workforce expansion and better protection across the entire defense industry as conflict with China could occur as early as 2027.
Ignite Rounds: Opportunities in Emerging Technologies
Rachel Grunspan, DDI Futures, Directorate of Digital Innovation, CIA, shared how optimizing human-machine teaming can revolutionize intelligence operations by enabling organizations to out think and outstrategize adversaries in real time.
Dr. William Corvey, Program Manager, Information Innovation Office, DARPA, discussed the power of prototypes in accelerating the transition of fundamental research into operational capabilities.
Yolanda Reid, Associate Partner, IBM, discussed the urgent need for quantum readiness, highlighting the growing security risks, the importance of proactive planning, and steps to take to ensure quantum becomes a strategic advantage.
Data to Defense: Harnessing AI for Strategic Advantage
Speakers:
- Michael McCabe, Chief Data and AI Officer, OUSD(I&S)
- Dr. Lisa Costa, Former CTO and Innovation Officer, U.S. Space Force, and Advisor Seekr, National Security Executive
- Jack Anderson, Principal Consultant, Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks
- Brian Drake, Vice Chair, INSA Tech & Innovation Council and Federal CTO, Accrete
- Teresa Smetzer, Chair, INSA Tech & Innovation Council and CEO, Smetzer Associates LLC (moderator)
The panel focused on accelerating AI adoption in national security by addressing key barriers such as outdated infrastructure, cultural resistance, data management challenges, and policy constraints. Panelists also spoke on the need for collaboration with industry and academia and leveraging AI for data security and decision-making at scale.
Reimagining Technology Acquisition
Speakers:
- Evan Hickey, Senior Advisor to the CTO, CIA
- Lt Col Jeremy Leader, USAF, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Comptroller, Budget, and Appropriations Affairs
- William "Mac" McHenry, Senior Advisor to the Director and Intelligence Community Lead, DIU
- COL Candice Frost, USA (Ret.), Vice Chair, INSA Cyber Council
- LTG Scott Berrier, USA (Ret.), Former Director, DIA (moderator)
Panelists discussed modernizing acquisition processes to accelerate technology adoption and maintain the United States' competitive edge. Speakers emphasized the need for streamlined regulations, partnerships with innovative commercial companies, integrated cybersecurity, and a culture that supports speed, managed risk, and innovation.
Closing Fireside Chat
Speakers:
- Dr. Rick Muller, Director, IARPA
- Dr. Megan Anderson, Executive VP, Capabilities, IQT (moderator)
Dr. Muller discussed how IARPA is driving cutting-edge research to tackle the IC's toughest challenges. The conversation covered innovations in AI safety, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Dr. Muller noted, "Spy versus spy is becoming AI versus AI, and we need to stay ahead by investing aggressively and understanding what these tools can and can't do." He also spoke on the importance of partnerships across government, industry, and academia to accelerate tech transition and address emerging national security challenges.
Sponsorship Opportunities
-
Premier
Sold!
$16,000
Member Price
$19,000
Non-Member Price
- Ten gratis registrations
- Opportunity to introduce speaker(s)
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Prominent company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Thought Leader
Sold!
$15,000
Member Price
$18,000
Non-Member Price
- Eight gratis registrations
- Opportunity to introduce panel
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Prominent company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Lunch Sponsor
Sold!
$13,000
Member Price
$16,000
Non-Member Price
- Seven gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded signage at lunch
- Dedicated company branded napkins at lunch
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning, during and end of program
- Prominent company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Networking Reception
Sold!
$12,000
Member Price
$15,000
Non-Member Price
- Six gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded signage at closing reception after the program
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Breakfast Sponsor
Exclusive
$10,000
Member Price
$12,500
Non-Member Price
- Five gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded signage at Breakfast
- Dedicated company branded napkins at Breakfast
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning, during and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Registration
Sold!
$10,000
Member Price
$12,500
Non-Member Price
- Five gratis registrations
- Company logo placement on registration pages and confirmation messages
- Company branded lanyards provided to all attendees at Registration
- Dedicated company branded signage at registration
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Digital Playback
Exclusive
$8,500
Member Price
$10,000
Non-Member Price
- Five gratis registrations
- Company branding on video recording of event, including the opportunity to insert a 60-second company video at intro
- Recording hosted on INSA website and YouTube channel
- Ability to post/link video recording on company social media as a thought leader in intelligence and national security
- Social media posts on all INSA channels promoting the event recording and recognizing event sponsor
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Notebook Sponsor
Exclusive
$8,500
Member Price
$10,000
Non-Member Price
- Five gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded notebooks with pen
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Enduring Memories
Exclusive
$6,500
Member Price
$8,500
Non-Member Price
- Four gratis registrations
- Company mentioned as sponsor on official Flickr photo album with all post event photos
- Company logo on post event recap including 30 word call to action
- Dedicated social media posts with select event photos, thanking the company and linking to the Flickr album
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Question Card
Exclusive
$6,000
Member Price
$8,000
Non-Member Price
- Four gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded index cards to be distributed throughout the room for questions during panels and keynotes
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Morning Refreshment Break
Sold!
$5,000
Member Price
$7,500
Non-Member Price
- Four gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded signage during Morning Refreshment Break
- Dedicated company branded napkins at Morning Refreshment Break
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Afternoon Refreshment Break
Exclusive
$5,000
Member Price
$7,500
Non-Member Price
- Four gratis registrations
- Dedicated company branded signage during Afternoon Refreshment Break
- Dedicated company branded napkins at Afternoon Refreshment Break
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
-
Community Champion
Unlimited
$3,500
Member Price
$5,500
Non-Member Price
- Three gratis registrations
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
-
Community Champion - Small Business
Unlimted
$2,000
Member Price
Must be an INSA Small Business Member in good standing!
- Three gratis registrations
- On-stage acknowledgement at beginning and end of program
- Company logo placement on marketing materials, signage, website, email promotions, and event recap
Current Sponsors
.png?sfvrsn=c9b0a2e9_1)
.png?sfvrsn=3755bf96_1){kind=logo}
.png?sfvrsn=9ac4351c_1)
