GSOF Symposium Europe 2023 is the 7th Annual GSOF event in Europe. We are looking forward to hosting this year’s rendition in Brno, Czech Republic from 24 – 26 OCT.
To register or learn more, visit the event website:
https://www.gsofeurope.org/
On 24 – 26 October, the Global SOF Foundation (GSOF) will host our 7th European Symposium. This event moves to a new Partner Nation every year, which comes with both challenges and exciting benefits.
Read on to learn more about why we are hosting this event and what you can expect to gain from attending!
Why the Czech Republic?
People ask us how we choose the locations for our European event each year. The short answer is, we go to Nations that ask for the event. And if a Nation is asking for the event, it means they are in the process of upgrading their special operations forces.
We’re really excited about this year’s location in Brno, Czech Republic, for many reasons.
Brno is the second largest city in the Czech Republic and the hub of their defense industry–and it has the added benefit of being a hub for culture, education, and history.
That works well for us, because the Czech Republic is transforming their military. In April 2023, the Czech Republic Parliament passed a law to increase defense spending to ensure they reach their NATO directed 2.0% of GDP in defense spending. This law took effect in July 2023.
That matters because the Czech Republic is now divesting themselves from “Soviet”-era equipment and purchasing modern NATO compliant capabilities. The Czech Republic has provided a lot of equipment to Ukraine and their military is open for business.
Most defense industry companies rarely think of selling internationally because they think it is too hard to do and not worth their time. That is short-sighted, and for many companies, a bad business decision.
When defense companies attend the GSOF Symposium in Brno, it will not be just about our wonderful host Nation. The event will have 25 – 30 nations in attendance and EVERY one of those nations has significantly increased their defense spending.
The symposium doubled in size from 2021 to 2022, and although we don’t expect that type of jump in 2023, we are looking at a great turn out for this year.
What to Expect
There’s a lot we’re looking forward to this year in Brno! Here’s a list of just some of the cool things in store…
Unparalleled Networking: Join over 800 delegates representing 20+ Nations, including government officials, defense contractors, industry experts, and SOF professionals. Expand your network, establish connections, and forge lasting relationships with key decision-makers and influencers.
Hear Perspectives on Current Events: Gain valuable insights into the latest trends, technologies, and strategies shaping the SOF landscape. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, attend informative seminars, and participate in engaging panel sessions led by industry leaders, providing you with a comprehensive view of the sector’s future direction.
Browse a Showcase of Solutions: Seize the opportunity to check out the cutting-edge products, services, and innovations in the SOF domain in our 80+ organization Exhibition Hall.
Business & Network Growth: Tap into a vibrant marketplace of SOF stakeholders actively seeking new partnerships and collaborations. Benefit from dedicated exhibition time, B2B Speed Networking, and more to nurture business opportunities and accelerate growth.
Cultural Experiences: The Welcome Reception will feature a local Czech Military Band and singers that we’re looking forward to, as well as a “Czech Beer Tasting Experience” at our Global SOF Booth. Plus, the closing reception will take place in the beautiful and historic Filharmonie House – Besední dům.
Capability Accelerator Theater: The Capability Accelerator Theater will feature cutting edge solutions for the SOF Warfighter, as well as informative sessions on doing business in Europe.
It will be an impactful and informative week, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Join In!
Clearly, you’re now convinced that you need to take part in GSOF Symposium Europe! Take these steps to join in:
1) Get Registered!
Register for the Symposium via our event website. Please note that you’ll need digital copies of a Passport style photo and a government-issued ID to register, so make sure you have those on hand to expedite the process.
If you’re a GSOF Corporate Partner, make sure you have your Promo Code on hand to get your free entries.
And if you’re an Active Duty Military or Government representative, put those credit cards away! This event is FREE to attend for you!
2) Plan Your Travel
Brno does NOT have a large airport, so the best way to get there is by train from a large international hub. We’ve put together an information page and video to help ensure that you’re able to get to Brno with no hiccups.
3) Get A Room
Our Room Blocks are unfortunately SOLD OUT, but you may still be able to get a room in or near one of our host hotels. This is especially helpful to ensure that you’re able to take the event shuttles to and from the venue each day.
4) Plan Your Week
All that’s left to do is plan your week! We recommend:
- Sign up for B2B Speed Networking
- Review the Exhibitor List to see who you want to visit
- Ensure that you plan to stay for the Closing Reception
- See what sessions on the Agenda you don’t want to miss
- Pack plenty of Business Cards
As always, our team is on hand to answer any questions you may have. You can email us at info@gsof.org at any time and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
Our Take on SOF Week 2023
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