The Black Hills Defense and Industry Symposium will bring leaders of academia, research, industry, military and the Black Hills communities together for meaningful dialogue on the importance of defense investment in western South Dakota. Leaders will discuss how attendees can contribute to solutions for stronger national defense and bolstered regional economic development.

The 2023 Symposium will feature high level discussion and breakout sessions regarding PFOS/PFOA and Critical Minerals from South Dakota Mines, Design and Construction Opportunities from the Defense Industry in the Region, SBIR Successes, helpful information about doing business with the Government, along with important information regarding the B21 status. We encourage all Black Hills residents to register and attend.

The Symposium will kick off at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 12, with featured speaker, Nancy Balkus, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure (SAF/IEE), followed by the PFOS working group, along with an opening reception sponsored by South Dakota Mines. Opening session and vendors begin on Thursday, April 13 at 8am.

Featured speakers will include Congressman Dusty Johnson; Senator Mike Rounds; Major General Scott Vander Hamm, USAF, Retired, Vice President and Corporate Lead Executive at Northrop Grumman Corporation; Major General John Allen, USAF, Commander, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas