Elevating Financial Management Decisions in the Age of Data and AI
Co-located and co-sponsored with NDIA’s Emerging Technologies for Defense and Conference September 8-10, 2026 – Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Note: The conference core dates are September 9–10, 2026. A classified session will be offered through the NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Defense and Conference on September 8 at a separate location.
Government and corporate leaders across defense financial management convene at the Data Analytics & Decision Support (DA/DS) Conference to explore how data, analytics, and generative AI are reshaping the financial decision-making landscape.
As financial leaders are increasingly called upon to influence enterprise strategy, DA/DS focuses on how comptrollers, CFOs, and financial managers securely, and effectively leverage their seat at the table. The conference examines how data-driven insight, strong governance, and emerging technologies enable better, faster, and more defensible decisions in a rapidly evolving defense environment.
Through expert-led discussions and real-world examples, DA/DS highlights how organizations are reimagining financial management processes, modernizing PPBE, and applying advanced analytics and AI to drive transformation, operational excellence, and mission impact.
What You’ll Explore
- The evolving role of the comptroller, CFO, and financial manager as strategic decision partners
- How enterprise-level data governance, integrity, and relevance enable trusted insights
- Applying analytics and AI to PPBE and other core defense financial processes
- Reimagining decision support in an era of generative AI and increasing complexity
- Bridging financial expertise and analytics to support enterprise transformation
Who Should Attend
Financial Management and Analytics Professionals
- Business analysts, data analysts, data scientists, and financial managers
- Professionals seeking practical insight into how analytics are applied across defense financial processes
Senior Financial Leaders
- Comptrollers, CFOs, and financial managers in government and industry
- Leaders looking to adopt proven techniques and methodologies shaping defense finance today
Executives and Decision Makers
- Senior leaders responsible for enterprise strategy and investment decisions
- Executives seeking to further leverage analytics to inform complex, high-stakes decisions
Emerging and Aspiring Analytics Professionals
- Individuals looking to build or expand analytics skills
- Professionals interested in how organizations are integrating analytics across defense financial management
A Connected Experience
DA/DS is co-located and co-sponsored with NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Defense and Conference, September 9-10, 2026 I Walter E. Washington Convention Center, creating a unique opportunity to connect financial decision support, analytics, and emerging technologies in one integrated experience. Attendees gain access to broader perspectives, shared insights, and cross-disciplinary conversations that reflect how innovation is shaping the future of defense.
Before You Register
Before You Register
All attendees must create an NDIA account before registering. If you do not already have an account, you will be prompted to create one before accessing the registration system. Registration rates follow NDIA’s standard pricing structure, with separate rates for government and industry participants.
Please note: NDIA charges a non-refundable 3% Administration and Technology fee on all credit card transactions. To avoid fees, please consider NDIA’s no-cost payment option eCheck. The eCheck payment option is available for all NDIA orders. Virginia is controlling law for all transactions.
Cancellations and substitution requests must be made in writing, via email to education@sdfm.org. Cancellations for full symposium registration categories received on or before August 24, 2026, will receive a refund minus a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given for this conference after August 24, 2026. Refunds will not be given for no-shows; if an attendee shows a balance and does not attend the conference, they will be invoiced for payment.
Substitutions for this conference are always welcome in lieu of cancellations!
Registration Access Codes: Certain registration categories require an access code. More information is included below.
Speaker Registration: Speakers will receive separate speaker instructions with registration information.
Registration Categories and Rates: See the registration categories and rates details below.
Hotel information can be found here and should be booked directly with the hotel.
Registration Categories and Rates
(see below for Volunteer Benefits)
Industry (Corporate) Member
| Registration Type | Early Bird (June 22–July 14) | Regular (July 15–August 25) | Late/Onsite (August 26–Conference End) |
| Full Conference | $945 | $1,045 | $1,150 |
| One-Day – Wednesday Only | $498 | $546 | $598 |
| One-Day – Thursday Only | $498 | $546 | $598 |
Industry (Corporate) Non-Member
| Registration Type | Early Bird | Regular | Late/Onsite |
| Full Conference | $1,135 | $1,255 | $1,380 |
| One-Day – Wednesday Only | $597 | $655 | $720 |
| One-Day – Thursday Only | $597 | $655 | $720 |
Academia
| Registration Type | Early Bird | Regular | Late/Onsite |
| Full Conference | $715 | $787 | $866 |
| One-Day – Wednesday Only | $330 | $362 | $399 |
| One-Day – Thursday Only | $330 | $362 | $399 |
U.S. Government (Federal Civilian and DoD)
| Registration Type | Rate |
| Full Conference | $250 |
| One-Day – Wednesday Only | $125 |
| One-Day – Thursday Only | $125 |
Foreign/Allied Government
| Registration Type | Early Bird | Regular | Late/Onsite |
| Full Conference | $715 | $787 | $866 |
| One-Day – Wednesday Only | $330 | $362 | $399 |
| One-Day – Thursday Only | $330 | $362 | $399 |
Active Duty Military
| Registration Type | Rate |
| Full Conference | Complimentary |
Registration Access Codes
Certain registration categories require an access code.
- Industry (Corporate) Members: Contact the SDFM Membership Department at membership@sdfm.org to request the member access code. SDFM staff will verify your membership status before providing the code.
- Active Duty Military: Contact the SDFM Education Department at education@sdfm.org to request the active duty access code.
Speaker Registration
Speakers will receive separate speaker instructions with registration information.
Note: The conference core dates are September 9–10, 2026. A classified session will be offered through the NDIA’s Emerging Technologies Defense and Conference on September 8 at a separate location.
Call for Programming Volunteers
Looking for a meaningful way to support the defense financial management community while earning additional CPE? Become a Programming Volunteer at the 2026 DA/DS Conference and play an important role in delivering a high-quality educational experience for attendees.
Programming Volunteers serve as session room moderators and conference ambassadors, helping ensure presentations run smoothly while supporting speakers and attendees throughout the day.
Why Volunteer?
As a Programming Volunteer, you’ll receive:
- Complimentary access to both the SDFM DA/DS Conference and Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference (ETC)—two for the price of one conference experience
- Opportunities to network with senior leaders, speakers, and fellow professionals across the defense financial management community
- A chance to gain behind-the-scenes experience at one of SDFM’s premier educational events
- Access to all SDFM on-demand recordings post the conference
- Ability to earn CPE while you volunteer
Volunteer Commitment
Programming Volunteers will be assigned to one breakout room of the conference and are expected to serve from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on their assigned day.
Typical Responsibilities:
Volunteers will assist with educational session operations, including:
- Serving as the primary room moderator for assigned sessions
- Coordinate with presenters and/or presenter POCs prior to the conference for review of biography and session information
- Supporting speakers with session setup and timing
- Facilitating audience Q&A and encouraging participant engagement
- Coordinating with SDFM staff to resolve room, audiovisual, or scheduling needs
- Providing general assistance and directions to conference attendees
Volunteer Requirements
To ensure a positive experience for all participants, volunteers must:
- Commit to their assigned shift for the full volunteer period
- Maintain a professional, courteous, and helpful presence while representing SDFM
- Attend any required volunteer briefing or review materials provided before the conference
- Be comfortable interacting with speakers, attendees, and conference staff
Detailed assignments, orientation and instructions will be provided to all volunteers prior to the conference.
Ready to Volunteer?
Help deliver an exceptional DA/DS Conference experience while expanding your professional network, earning CPE, and giving back to the defense financial management community.
Volunteer spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Volunteer registration closes August 11, 2026
Volunteer Benefits
As a thank you for supporting the DA/DS Conference, volunteers receive complimentary event access based on their registration type:
- Full Conference Pass Volunteers receive access to the complete conference experience, including all session recordings available on demand after the event.
- One-Day Pass Volunteers receive access to all sessions scheduled on the day for which they are registered.
Volunteering is a great way to support the defense financial management community while gaining valuable professional development opportunities and event access.
Help Spread the Word About DA/DS 2026
Are you attending, presenting, or sponsoring at the 2026 SDFM Defense Acquisition and Defense Systems (DA/DS) Conference? Help us build excitement and let your network know you’ll be joining us!
We’ve created a collection of customizable Canva graphics to make it easy to share your participation across social media. Simply open the template, personalize it with your information, and post it on your favorite social platforms.
Media Kit
Access the complete DA/DS Media Kit for ready-to-use graphics, messaging, logos, and promotional resources to help spread the word about this year’s conference. Access the Media Kit.
Social Media Templates
Attendees: Share that you’ll be attending and encourage colleagues to join you. Access the attendee templates.
Presenters: Promote your session, invite attendees, and build anticipation before the conference. Access the presenter templates
Sponsors: Showcase your organization’s participation and invite attendees to visit your booth and connect with your team. Access the sponsor templates.
Don’t forget to tag SDFM!
We look forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. this September!
Questions?
For registration questions, please contact the SDFM team at education@sdfm.org.
