About WEST Conference

WEST connects the industry professionals who design and build the platforms, equipment and weapons with the designers of communications and technical systems. To complete their missions successfully, more than 150,000 professionals in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard who live in the San Diego area depend on the open discussions and valuable networking WEST provides.

Senior military and government officials talk directly to the operators to gain valuable feedback directly from them. Industry leaders attend because they can connect with decision makers and operators over the three-day event.

The event takes place January 28-30, 2025, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California.

For the first time, WEST will have two different exhibit halls. Check out the Exhibit Hall Map - Primary  and Exhibit Hall Map - Sails Pavilion to see all available options. Additionally, the exhibitor list will show which organizations and agencies are participating as you plan your trip to the exhibit hall.

No one under the age of 18 is allowed in the exhibit hall at any time.

A comprehensive Health and Safety Plan has been developed for your benefit. Attendees will be required to abide by all policies in the Health and Safety Plan or risk being excused from WEST.

Please check back for updates frequently. Please also review our current Health and Well-being Code of Conduct. You may also review the San Diego Convention Center’s health information here.

WEST takes place at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, CA.

WEST 2026 - February 10-12, 2026
WEST 2027 - February 16-18, 2027
WEST 2028 - January 11-13, 2028
WEST 2029 - January 9-11, 2029
WEST 2030 - January 8-10, 2030

Are you looking for more information? Please visit the Contact Us page if you have questions regarding general conference information, attending, exhibiting or sponsoring.

The WEST 2025 theme is: "The Future is Now: Are We Advancing Operational Capabilities That Pace the Threat?"

Registration is now open and all pricing can be found on the Categories and Fees page.

Contact the WEST Registration Center with any further questions at (703) 449-6418 or westregistration@spargoinc.com.

Explore all of the sessions, keynotes, trainings and more at this year's conference in the Conference Agenda.

Housing is now available! All housing and contact information can be found on the Locations, Dates and Hotel page.

Important reminder to book your hotel needs only through the Official Housing Company, SPARGO, Inc. WEST cannot guarantee reservations made through any other source are valid.

Members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserve have been authorized to earn one point retirement credit for attendance. Reserve and National Guard (Army and Air Force) personnel may participate on a non-pay credit basis with approval of their unit commanders. Bring unit forms to the conference operations office located in the Operations Center on the exhibit floor for validation.

WEST’s commitment to professional development includes keynotes, panels and special presentations on the issues affecting today’s Sea Service community.

The Continuing Education page can be found here.

Information on where to pick up badges will be posted closer to the event.

A limited amount of parking is available on site at the San Diego Convention Center and more information can be found here. Additionally, information on transportation to and around the San Diego Convention Center can be found here.

AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute support the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Attendees with special needs should call (703) 631-6126 or email events@afcea.org.

Attendees:
Professional business attire is suggested. Military personnel are encouraged to wear the appropriate uniform of the day.

Speakers:
Active duty military speakers are encouraged to wear Army Service B Uniform (USA), Air Force Service B Uniform (USAF), Khaki Uniforms with Ribbons (USN), Service B “Bravo” (USMC) or Tropical Blue (USCG). Civilian presenters are encouraged to wear equivalent professional business attire.

Attendees are not permitted to photograph, record, or videotape any portion of the WEST conference proceedings. Working members of the press are required to preregister and check in at the press desk at registration to photograph and/or videotape at the show.

Exhibit personnel may photograph and/or videotape only their personnel and equipment within the confines of their booth.

Failure to comply with this policy will result in confiscation of devices or material and administrative action under applicable government guidelines.

Attendees understand that AFCEA, the U.S. Naval Institute, and their authorized representatives (show management) may conduct interviews and may take photographs and/or videotape in any part of the WEST conference and exhibit hall. These photographs, videos, and recordings are for use by show management in publications or other media material produced for the purposes of conference promotion, including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television and websites. Attendee and exhibitor registration grants show management permission and consent for use of this photography and video.

Exhibiting opportunities, Exhibitor Demo & Business Suites and Sponsorship opportunities are available for purchase. Contact our team if you have any questions.

Questions? Contact Us!

• Always order your services before the discount deadlines. Generally, these deadlines are 21 days before the show. Please check for actual deadline dates in your Exhibitor Resource Center.
• Consolidate your freight and shrink wrap it to avoid additional material handling charges.
• For large groups use shuttle transportation rather than individual taxi service.
• Always bring back up supplies so you don’t have to rent them at a premium at the show.
• Some items are more cost effective to bring on your own rather than renting them over and over again at every show. (i.e. power strips, extension cords, artificial plants, waste baskets, etc.)
• Consider the costs of rental displays, carpet and booth furnishing versus shipping and material handling charges for your own display.
• Meet your freight target times (if applicable), and instruct your drivers to check in at the marshaling yard before the deadline time noted in the Exhibitor Resource Center to avoid additional surcharges.
• For larger booths - ship hanging signs and carpet in advance to allow for straight-time installation when possible.

WEST and SPARGO, Inc. (Event Management) encourages you to be aware of organizations who claim to have access to the WEST Attendee List, as they may try to sell this list to you. Please note neither the conference co-hosts, AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, nor SPARGO distributes an attendee list or any attendee information and DOES NOT offer list rental services. Like many successful trade shows today, WEST is targeted by unethical businesses that scrape email addresses from websites to contact participants about list rentals, hotels and other sales offers. WEST and SPARGO take data security, your privacy and privacy of the attendees very seriously.