Linking the Industrial Heartland to the Irregular Front
Attendees across academia, industry, startups, critical infrastructure, military, intelligence, and government will Forge connections, build skills, and partner for collective defense.
Welcome to the 2026 Forge Summit!
Main Event: October 13-14, 2026
Classified Day: October 15, 2026 (tentative)
Location: Downtown North Little Rock, Arkansas - Exact Location will be shared via email to approved registrants.
Join us for a day filled with cybersecurity, emerging technology and national security insights, innovative technologies, and networking opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in the field, this summit is the place to be. Learn from industry experts, engage in interactive sessions, and stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving world of cyber & emerging technology. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details!
Sponsorship Opportunities: Entities wishing to become a sponsor of this year’s event should email summit@forge.institute for more information.
Security: Attendees must be U.S. Citizens. The event is "off the record" and closed to the press/media. Chatham House Rules Apply. We reserve the right to deny admittance to anyone for any reason. Attendees agree to follow all posted and verbal security instructions.
Clearances: Those who register for the limited Classified day must have a final granted TS//SI/TK clearance. Do not register if you don't. Additional information will be sent via email.
Linking the Industrial Heartland to the Irregular Front
Forge connections, build skills, and partner for collective defense.
Sponsors
Keynote Sponsors
Supporting Sponsors
Meal Sponsors
Advancing Technology & Uniting for Collective Defense
2026 Summit Speaker Lineup
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Shanel Fultz
Deputy Director, AFRL Small Business Office
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Bill Carter
Public Sector Cybersecurity Strategist, Fortinet
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H. Beth Anne Bygum
CISO, Q2
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Scott Aughenbaugh
Director, Department of the Air Force Technology Transfer & Transition Program (DAFT3PO)
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Admiral Richard A. Correll
Commander, U.S. STRATCOM
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Lori Wade
Chief Learning Officer
Central Intelligence Agency -
Rep. Rick Crawford
Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
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Russell Miller
Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA)
-
General Gregory M. Guillot (invited)
Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command
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Todd Lowery (invited)
Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology
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Carlos-Raul Sanchez
Sr. Director, Operation Technology Solutions Engineer Specialist, Fortinet
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Jonathan Askins
Strategic Advisor, CoreView
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Marie Falkowski
Deputy Director of Public Affairs, CIA
Former Deputy Chief Data Officer, ODNI -
Joseph M. Tonon (invited)
Director, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency
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Harry Wingo
Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Circadence
Former Deputy National Cyber Director -
John Hollenberger
Lead Consultant, FortiGuard Proactive Services, Fortinet
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Nick Andersen (invited)
Acting Director, CISA
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Jonas Anderson
Millennial Mayor, CTO & Mayor of Cave City, Arkansas
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Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay Silveria
President
University of Arkansas System -
Paula Lemke
Executive Director, Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX)
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Lee Watson
Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute
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Senator Tom Cotton (invited)
Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
Topics:
Artificial Intelligence • Cybersecurity • Quantum • Supply Chain Risk Management • UAS/C-UAS • Critical Minerals • Advanced Manufacturing • & more!
Agenda
Select a day
Tuesday, October 13
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM8:00 AM | Doors Open / Badge Pickup / Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM8:30 AM |
Main Stage
Welcome & Forge Institute Annual Report |
| 8:30 AM9:00 AM |
Great Power Cyber: Smart Grid Nuclear, AI, and Freedom’s Forge KeynoteThis presentation explores the intersection of advanced small modular reactors and AI-driven cyber resilient smart grid operations, including in remote locations where “walk away” reliability is necessary. Harry Wingo Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Circadence Former Deputy National Cyber Director |
| 9:00 AM9:45 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 9:45 AM10:30 AM |
Fireside Chat w/ Air Force Research Lab PanelModerator: Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute Paula Lemke, Executive Director, APEX Shanel Fultz, Deputy Director, Small Business Office, Air Force Research Lab Scott Aughenbaugh, Director, Department of the Air Force Technology Transfer & Transition Program Office (DAF T3PO), Air Force Research Lab |
| 10:30 AM11:00 AM |
Talk Name TBA Senator John Boozman, Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (invited) |
| 11:00 AM11:30 AM |
Talk Name TBA Russell Miller, Director, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity |
| 11:30 AM12:30 PM |
Lunch & Networking Break
Sponsored by HBS | Cisco |
| 12:30 PM1:15 PM |
CyberMain Ballroom
Protecting M365 Tenant Identity PresentationJonathan Askins & Engineer ResiliencyBallroom A
Talk Name TBA InnovationBallroom B
Talk Name TBA |
| 1:15 PM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 1:30 PM2:15 PM |
CyberMain Ballroom
Hardening the Operational Technology Environment to Enhance Resiliency of Critical Infrastructure and Manufacturing PresentationCarlos-Raul Sanchez, Sr. Director, Operations Technology Solutions Engineer Specialist, Fortinet ResiliencyBallroom A
Talk Name TBA InnovationBallroom B
Small Business Opportunities with the Air Force & Air Force Research Lab Panel |
| 2:15 PM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 2:30 PM3:15 PM |
CyberMain Ballroom
Table Top Best Practices: Building a Modern Exercise for Critical Infrastructure Resiliency WorkshopJohn Hollenberger, Lead Consultant, FortiGuard Proactive Services, Fortinet ResiliencyBallroom A
Ensuring Community Resiliency Fireside ChatJonas Anderson, Millennial Mayor, CTO & Mayor of Cave City, Arkansas AJ Gary, Director, Arkansas Division of Emergency Management WorkforceBallroom B
Talk Name TBA PanelJack Bradley, Industrial Cybersecurity Instructor, Idaho State University |
| 3:15 PM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 3:30 PM |
Main Stage
Keynote with Q2 |
| 4:15 PM |
Happy Hour
Sponsored by TBA |
| 5:30 PM | End of Day 1 |
| 6:00 PM8:30 PM |
VIP / Sponsor Dinner
Invite only |
Wednesday, October 14
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM8:00 AM | Doors Open / Badge Pickup / Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM8:30 AM |
Main Stage
Welcome & Awards |
| 8:30 AM9:00 AM |
Talk Name TBA Rep. Rick Crawford, Chairman, House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence |
| 9:00 AM9:45 AM |
Talk Name TBA Fireside ChatModerator: Lee Watson, Chairman & CEO, Forge Institute Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jay Silveria, President, University of Arkansas System |
| 9:45 AM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 10:00 AM10:45 AM |
Talk Name TBA Fireside ChatSenator Tom Cotton, Chairman, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (invited) Admiral Richard Correll, Commander, STRATCOM General Gregory Guillot, Commander, NORTHCOM (invited) |
| 10:45 AM | Special Announcement |
| 11:15 AM12:30 PM |
Lunch & Networking Break
Sponsored by TBA |
| 12:30 PM1:00 PM |
Main Stage
Talk Name TBA |
| 1:00 PM1:30 PM |
Main Stage
Talk Name TBA |
| 1:30 PM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 1:45 PM2:30 PM |
Main Ballroom
Talk Name TBA InnovationBallroom A
When Information Outruns Judgment The next national security challenge may be our capacity to decide. As technology changes how information is created, interpreted, and delivered, leaders will face more inputs, competing signals, and less time to assess them. More information won’t automatically produce better decisions. How do we prepare people to turn that information into intelligence, and intelligence into sound action? Kristin Wood, CEO, August Interactive Sarah Kneller, COO & CXO, August Interactive Ballroom B
Talk Name TBA |
| 2:30 PM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 2:45 PM |
Main Stage
Talk Name TBA KeynoteBill Carter, Public Sector Cybersecurity Strategist, Fortinet |
| 3:30 PM |
Main Stage
Data Centers for National Security |
| 4:00 PM | Closing Remarks |
| 4:15 PM | End of Day 2 |
Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day Requires separate registration
Register on Eventbrite| 5:00 PM6:00 PM | Happy Hour |
| 6:00 PM6:30 PM | Welcome Remarks & Guest Speaker |
| 6:30 PM8:00 PM | Startup Presentations & Dinner |
Thursday, October 15 – Classified Day
Clearance required. Those registering for this day must have a final granted TS/SI/TK clearance. Additional details will be provided to those approved to attend.
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:00 AM8:00 AM | Doors Open / Security Check-in / Badge Pickup / Networking Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM8:30 AM | Welcome |
| 8:30 AM9:00 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 9:00 AM9:45 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 9:45 AM | 15 Minute Networking Break |
| 10:00 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 11:00 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 11:30 AM | Talk Name TBA |
| 12:00 Noon | End of Day 3 |
Videos from Previous Years
Startups:
The Phoenix Accelerator features high-impact startups developing advanced technologies - ranging from autonomous logistics and AI platforms to cybersecurity and advanced manufacturing - to deliver next-generation warfighting capabilities for the defense sector.
Innovation Alley
Research:
Arkansas university research initiatives are actively advancing defense technology across critical domains, including cyber, space computing, cognitive security, and military regenerative medicine.
Who’s It For:
Academia • Industry • Critical Infrastructure • State & Local Government • Military • Intelligence Community • Startups • Private Capital • Policy Makers • Non Profits • Federal Labs • Warfighters
BECOME A SPONSOR
Want to highlight your brand in front of a world-class audience?
Fill out this information and our team contact you shortly!
Summit Logistics
The Venue
The summit will be held in Central Arkansas. Details provided upon registration.
Who may attend?
Attendees must be a US Citizen. Forge & our partners reserve the right to deny entry to any person or any reason. If we do, we will issue a full refund for the price paid for registration.
Lodging
Convenient lodging options are available at hotels in downtown Little Rock, ensuring a comfortable stay during the summit.
Getting Around
We recommend using UBER or YELLOW CAB to get around the city. Rental cars are available at the airport. Your hotel may offer shuttle services as well.
Flights
Clinton National Airport (LIT) offers great regional access.
PREVIOUS PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
