Training & Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) 2020 Recordings 2020 Virtual Event
Description
Did you miss live virtual TSIS? Want to catch up on what you missed? Contact Reneé Despot to register! All previously registered attendees should have received an email with the link to recordings. Please reach out to Reneé Despot if you did not receive the email. Any new registrations post TSIS will receive a link once registered.
Looking to download presentation slides? Click the "Presentations" link on the right-hand side of this page.
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TSIS 2020 Recap
The 2020 Training and Simulation Industry Symposium (TSIS) was held virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. The symposium offered attendees updated information on procurement requirements from the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Marines, as well as a better understanding of the impacts that the COVID-19 virus precautions created. Additionally, five industry panels afforded attendees insights into contemporary challenges and opportunities faced by companies large and small. The NDIA Central Florida Chapter co-hosted this annual event with NTSA through an online platform for over 700 attendees to aid in both transparency for the services and long-term business development and strategic planning efforts for industry. Even with the change to a virtual experience, attendance was commensurate with that of previous years. One of the extraordinary steps to provide greater access for this year’s symposium was the use of virtual “Meet the Leaders” sessions by the services that facilitated direct interaction with leads without having to be at the same location.
Day one was dedicated to the Air Force and opened with the Program Executive Officer and Director for the Agile Combat Support Directorate at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Mr. Paul Waugh. Colonel John Kurian, the Senior Materiel Leader for Agile Combat Support, and his team provided updates on the Simulators Division and contract perspectives, along with information from Air Combat, Mobility, and Special Ops simulators. The Small Business office led by Mr. Kevin Parks provided an update before Ms. Margaret Merkle shared information about the Innovation Cell and Simulators Division Pitch Day, rounding out the day that was capped with answers to questions posed by attendees.
The Navy was the focus of day two. The highlight of the day was the keynote speaker, Mr. James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition. Secretary Geurts discussed the Navy’s ongoing effort to extend opportunities to industry through programs like the NavalX/Team Orlando Central Florida Tech Grove. The Secretary also fielded questions from the online attendees. The day began with an overview of their focus areas and R&D efforts led by Captain Tim Hill, Commanding Officer, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, and Captain Robert Gallagher, 2025 Ready Relevant Learning Training System Program Manager. During the middle of the day, industry panels focused on Private Sector Funding, Florida's High-Tech Corridor, and Contract Vehicles for Innovation. The Navy leadership completed a busy day with questions and answers.
The Army and Marine Corps presented from a ground force perspective on the third day. Highlights included Army briefings from Major General Maria Gervais, Director of the Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Team, and Mr. Tim Bishop, Acting PEO, Program Executive Office, Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation. Each of the PMs from Synthetic Environment, Solder Training, and Cyber, Test & Training provided insightful updates along with Mr. Mike Harris, Executive Director of ACC-Orlando, and Mr. Dale Whittaker who leads the International Programs office. Panel sessions then focused on “How Simulation Will Pave the Path to AI and Machine Learning,” and “How the New CMMC Policy is Impacting Industry.” The afternoon was dedicated to the Marines via Colonel Lou Lara, Program Manager for the Marine Corps Systems Command, Koren Odermann, Collective Training Systems, and LtCols Troy Peterson and John Mohler who provided their acquisition outlook for the Marine Corps’ programs and systems.