OCTOBER 26 – 28

Partnerships that Power the Mission.

Military readiness doesn’t begin at the gate. It starts in the communities that power our installations and support our service members, families, and the mission. Across the country, these communities are being asked to do more—modernizing infrastructure, strengthening the workforce, and protecting readiness—even as resources tighten and threats evolve. The solutions exist. What’s needed is connection, collaboration, and a path to scale.

This year, we gather in Military Bay, USA™ — Tampa Bay, home to MacDill Air Force Base and a designated Great American Defense Community—where mission meets momentum and partnership is part of the culture.

Join the leaders building what’s next for America’s installations. Because national security starts at home—and it’s powered by the partnerships we build together.

Why Attend IIF?

IIF brings military, community, and industry together to solve the challenges facing installations today.

See the value IIF offers you, by attendee type:

INDUSTRY

MILITARY

COMMUNITY

Featured Speakers

Hon Dale Marks

Assistant Secretary of War for Energy, Installations & Environment

Hon Jordan Gillis

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy & Environment

Hon Michael Borders

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Energy, Installations & Environment

Agenda

Monday, October 26

7:00 AM – 5:15 PM

Registration Open

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Military Service Preconference Townhalls

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Defense Community Council Townhalls

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Lunch – On Your Own

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM

Opening General Session – Installation Leadership Townhall

1:30 PM – 1:45 PM

Networking Break

1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM

Networking Break

2:45 PM – 3:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

3:30 PM – 3:45 PM

Networking Break

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM

General Session

4:30 PM – 4:45 PM

Networking Break

4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Breakout Sessions

5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Networking Reception

Tuesday, October 27

7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Registration Open

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Networking Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

General Session

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Networking Break

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

Breakout Sessions

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout Sessions

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

General Session

2:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Networking Break

2:15 PM – 3:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

3:00 PM – 3:15 PM

Networking Break

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

4:00 PM – 4:15 PM

Networking Break

4:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Great American Defense Communities Celebration

Wednesday, October 28

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Registration Open

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM

General Session - Breakfast Working Group

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM

Networking Break

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

Breakout Sessions

10:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Networking Break

10:45 AM – 11:30 AM

Breakout Sessions

11:30 AM

Forum Ends

Conference Location

The 2026 Installation Innovation Forum (IIF) will be held at the Tampa Convention Center, sitting right on Tampa’s scenic waterfront in the heart of downtown. Its central location puts attendees within easy walking distance of the bustling Tampa Riverwalk, with vibrant restaurants, entertainment venues, and cultural attractions to explore.

Hotel Accommodations

We’ve secured discounted rates at our official IIF hotels — all within walking distance of the Convention Center. Our negotiated room block includes some of the best available price points in Tampa, with destination fees waived across all properties. Three hotels are directly across the street, with a fourth a short walk away.

Book early. These prime blocks sell out fast, and discounted rates are available only through October 2, 2026 — or until rooms are gone.

Use the booking link for your selected hotel below to reserve your room. If your preferred dates aren’t available, reach out to info@defensecommunities.org and we’ll do our best to help.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center

Direct skybridge access to the Convention Center

Tampa Marriott Water Street

$289/night

Adjacent to the Convention Center

Book a Room

The Westin Tampa Waterside*

$279/night

Short waterfront walk to the Convention Center

Book a Room

JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

$359/night

Adjacent to the Convention Center

Book a Room

Important Notice Regarding Destination Fees

All rooms booked through ADC room blocks — including general attendee and per diem rates — are negotiated with a clause that waives all destination fees. We know ADC attendees, particularly those traveling on government orders, have restrictions around destination fees, which is why we work hard to negotiate them out of every room block. No destination fees should appear on your reservation or be charged at check-in.

Occasionally, hotel reservation systems display these fees inadvertently. Marriott Bonvoy members may see a destination fee appear in the app after attaching their membership number — this is a known system display issue and will not be reflected in your email confirmation or charged at the hotel.

If you see a destination fee anywhere, please screenshot it and send it to info@defensecommunities.org and we will resolve it with the hotel directly.

*Federal Per Diem Rooms

Federal per diem rooms are available for attendees that provide a federal or military email address. Eligible registrants will receive instructions to reserve per diem rooms. If you registered but did not receive instructions for booking a per diem room, please email us at info@defensecommunities.org and indicate your preferred hotel.

Registration

For a limited time, we’re offering:

Early bird pricing below last year’s rates
Special group rate of $395/person* for ADC Community members registering three or more attendees. Additional discounts available for larger delegations.

We encourage you to register early to take advantage of these limited-time offers.

*Contact ADC to request a group code. Once confirmed, use the code during registration.

Community Member

$795

Community Non-Member

$945

Industry Member

$1,195

Industry Non-Member

$1,545

DOW/Federal

This rate is for active military service members and federal employees only. Participants need to provide an official military or federal government email address to register. Contractors and those with email addresses containing .ctr are NOT permitted to register at this rate.

Sponsorship & Exhibiting

IIF 2026 brings together the leaders and communities shaping the future of U.S. military installations — from base commanders and DoD officials to the private-sector partners investing in defense communities nationwide. Sponsorship puts your organization in front of this audience with high-visibility branding and meaningful engagement opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Exhibit space at IIF is prioritized for sponsors. Download the Exhibitor Prospectus to explore options, or contact Matt Borron to secure your sponsorship.