SPECIAL EVENTS & EDUCATION
The following events and educational sessions were held during Modern Day Marine 2023
Advance Planning Brief to Industry
Advance Planning Brief to Industry
Monday, 26 June 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
The Advance Planning Brief to Industry (APBI) will entail a full day of interactive key leader presentations from across the scope of Marine Corps Systems Command and Program Executive Office Land Systems Portfolios & Programs. Lunch will be provided, and a mixer will take place upon conclusion of the event. The planned agenda is available here. The APBI is an unclassified forum, but participation is only available to U.S citizens currently employed by U.S. based corporations. Attendance is restricted to exhibitors, non-exhibitors, and Marine Corps Association members. Register to attend here.
Main Briefing Center Seminars
OBJ 1 Wargaming Convention
Tuesday, 27 June 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday, 28 June 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday, 29 June 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
The OBJ 1 Wargaming Convention will provide a focused venue for demonstrations, game play, and networking among military wargaming practitioners, designers, and industry. It will include computer-based games and table-top board games. Learn more about the event and register to attend here.
Main Briefing Center Seminars
Main Briefing Center Seminars
Tuesday-Thursday, 27-29 June 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM & 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The Main Briefing Center will host numerous speakers from the military and civilian communities to discuss current trends and future procurement issues. Led by MAGTF and Marine Corps Systems Command, briefings are used by attendees and exhibitors alike to formulate their strategies. Former speakers include the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Secretary of the Navy, Commanding General Marine Forces Reserve, and Deputy Commandant Information & Logistics. View the schedule of topics and speakers here.
Main Briefing Center Seminars
Marines Luncheon & Awards Ceremony
Tuesday, 27 June 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
The Marine Corps League Enlisted Awards Luncheon is designed to provide special recognition for the exceptional contributions of six outstanding U.S. Marines and Sailors currently serving with the Marine Corps. The ceremony will include performances by elements of the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Drum & Bugle Corps, and the Color Guard of the Marine Corps, and will be attended by Marine Corps leaders, invited foreign dignitaries, a wide range of DoD officials and Industry representatives, as well as the collective leadership of the MDM co-host organizations (the Marine Corps League & the Marine Corps Association). Attire is business formal for civilians and Service Charlies or service equivalent for members of the military. View the list of past award recipients here. Attendance is restricted to members of the U.S. and foreign militaries, DoD civilians, military family members, and retired general officers.* Register to attend here.
*Exhibitors and non-exhibiting manufacturers may also attend for a fee.
Spouses Employment Brunch
Semper Fidelis Reception
Tuesday, 27 June 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Please join us for an informal happy hour style networking opportunity to close the first day of the show in the Marine Zone area for all industry and DoD constituent groups. Hosted by SgtMaj Troy E. Black, SMMC, the reception will include beer, wine, nonalcoholic beverages, and appetizer service.
Tun Tavern
Tuesday Sunset Parade
Tuesday, 27 June 7:00 PM – Sunset
Since September 1956, marching and musical units from Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., have been paying tribute to those whose “Uncommon valor was a common virtue” by presenting Sunset Parades in Washington, D.C. The parade will be held at the Marine Corps War Memorial. There will not be traditional seating available, and spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Transportation to and from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center will be available to expo attendees. Attendance and transportation are free, but you must register here to reserve your space. For more information, please review the official parade website. Shuttles will leave every 30 minutes from L Street starting at 4:00 PM with the last bus at 6:30 PM. You may also take the Metro Blue line from Metro Center to/from Arlington Cemetery.
Military Spouses Employment Brunch
Wednesday, 28 June 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM
Military spouses are invited to attend the inaugural Military Spouses Employment Brunch at this year’s expo. Spouses seeking employment will be given the opportunity for networking and education in the military industry and beyond. The event will include a buffet brunch, keynote speaker panel moderated by Air Force spouse and comedian Ashley Gutermuth, and a networking and resource fair. Attendance is restricted to members of the military and their family members. Register to attend here.
Grand Banquet
Tun Tavern Talks
Wednesday, 28 June 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Thursday, 29 June 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Active-duty military members will enjoy a complimentary lunch while listening to distinguished speakers share their military and life experiences. This year’s speakers are CDR Becky Calder, USN(Ret), the first female pilot to graduate from TOPGUN, and Cpl William “Kyle” Carpenter, USMC(Ret), the youngest living Marine Medal of Honor recipient. Learn more about the event and register to attend here. Attendance is restricted to members of the military and their family members.
Main Briefing Center Seminars
Grand Banquet
Wednesday, 28 June 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
The Grand Banquet, held at the Marriott Marquis, is a high value ancillary networking opportunity for exhibitors to connect with Marine Corps leadership, Marine Corps Systems Command personnel and their influencers in the government space. The event will commence at 6:30 PM with a cocktail reception, followed by dinner at 7:30 PM where we will honor the Dickey Chappelle and the Iron Mike Award recipients. Also in attendance will be Enlisted Award recipients and collective leadership from the MDM co-hosts, the Marine Corps Association and the Marine Corps League. All guests will enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the Color Guard of the Marine Corps as well as a performance by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. Learn more about the Dickey Chappelle and Iron Mike Awards and past recipients here. Attendance is restricted to exhibitors and members of the military. The required attire is black tie for civilians and Evening Dress, Blue Dress A, or equivalent for members of the military.
Main Briefing Center Seminars
Congressional Breakfast
Thursday, 29 June 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
The Modern Day Marine Congressional Breakfast will focus both lawmaker and appropriator attention on the conceptual strategic value of Force Design 2030 as a service level roadmap for rapid transition to a 21st century, naval integrated, “stand in force” for deterrence in restricted seas and complex littoral terrain. Invited guests will include the lawmakers, appropriators and affiliated professional staff who are most instrumental to informing and resourcing the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision for Force Design 2030. The breakfast will be followed by a private expo hall walk through and wargame demonstrations and game play. Attire is business formal for civilians and Service Charlies or service equivalent for members of the military. Attendance is restricted to exhibitors, non-exhibitors, and members of the military. Register to attend here.

Marine Zone Stage Presentations
Tuesday-Thursday, 27-29 June
The “Marine Stage” is a new expo hall presentation and networking venue in the midst of the “Marine Zone.” The Marine Zone is the area of the floorplan designated for Marine Corps research, experimentation, requirements & acquisitions organizations to display prototypes and interact with MDM participants in a centralized location. The Marine Stage provides Marine Corps and DoD subject matter experts and program managers with a purpose driven forum for short presentations followed by informal networking sessions that will build awareness of programmatic requirements, gaps, and opportunities so that industry can see where they fit and how they can help. The intent is to highlight Service level equity areas critical to the emerging Marine Corps mission set in order to spark substantive questions & meaningful discussion. Four presentations will occur each day of the expo. View the complete list of 2023 presentations here.