The Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition, founded in 1965 as a means to bring the U.S. defense industrial base, U.S. private-sector companies and key military decision makers together for an innovative annual educational, professional and maritime-based event in Washington, D.C., is set to begin Monday, April 11, 2011, and run through April 13. Sea-Air-Space has become the largest maritime exposition in the world, and has continued to be, since 1965, an invaluable extension of the Navy League’s mission of maritime policy education and sea service support.

This year’s keynote speakers include the Honorable Ray Mabus, Secretary of the Navy; Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps; Adm. Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; and the Honorable Sean J. Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition.

“The Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition is the premier maritime exposition in the world, with more than 150 exhibits and featuring professional seminars with many of the top civilian and military leaders from the U.S. Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Transportation as well as senior officials from the defense industry,” according to a Navy League U.S. press release. “Now in its forty-sixth year, the exposition is a showcase of national and international exhibits highlighting the latest advancements in sea power technology.

“This year, the Navy League will host the annual exposition at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. from April 11-13, 2011. The theme for this year’s event is “Internationally Engaged-Ensuring Freedom of the Seas.” Highlights include a service chiefs’ panel with the Chief of Naval Operations, Commandants of the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard as well as the Administrator from the Maritime Administration, informational seminars, floor speakers, and defense companies exhibiting weapons and sea power technologies for the 21st century.”

“The event is open at no charge to active duty, reserve and retired U.S. military personnel, U.S. government employees, members of Congress and their staffs, invited guests of the Navy League, representatives of exhibiting companies, representatives of foreign embassies, and Navy League members. It is not open to the general public.”

“The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902 and is a civilian organization with more than 50,000 members dedicated to educating American citizens and elected officials about the importance of sea power to U.S national security and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families.”