This is the first in a series of posts about our GSOF Symposium – Europe in
Warsaw, Poland, from 26-28 OCT 2021.
It’s that time again! We’re heading back to Europe for the 2020 2021 GSOF Symposium – Europe in Warsaw, Poland. Yes, we were originally supposed to be here in 2020, but with the 19+ months we on planet Earth have been experiencing… we’re pretty thrilled to say that we’re making this event work in 2021!
Read below to learn what’s in store, and/or you can watch our short video that shows some of the expected highlights from our POLSOF (Polish SOF) Partner… “Jerry.”
And yes, Jerry’s real name contains a LOT more letters.
The Background
The Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation has historically hosted an annual Symposium in Europe. The location for the fifth European Symposium, and this year’s event, will be in Warsaw, Poland from 26-28 October, 2021.
The Global SOF Foundation is the only professional association that has a focus on the growth and development of the international SOF community by leveraging an international network of military, government, commercial, and educational stakeholders. By partnering with Polish SOF, the Foundation is providing a three-day opportunity that features high-level speakers, networking opportunities, and a sold-out expo space for industry participation.
The Schedule
DAY 1. On Oct. 26th, POLSOF representatives will host a government-only (yes, that means only active military and government representatives) meeting in the symposium spaces, which will lend to increased government attendance. This is our third European event that will begin with a government-only seminar, and has proven to be a great opportunity for governments that don’t always interact to discuss shared issues.
This day will include a series of lectures from multiple government, industry, and military officials from the participating partner nations, including a panel discussion on “Regionalization as a Strengthening of a Collective Defense” and closing remarks from Major General Slawomir Drumowicz, the Commander of Polish SOCOM.
That evening, we’re inviting ALL attendees to join us for a Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall. While our government attendees were deep in discussion, exhibiting companies spent the day adding their tools and tech to the sold out expo space.
So please don’t miss this opportunity to network and check out those capabilities on the evening of Day 1.
DAYS 2 & 3. On Oct. 27-28th, the full Symposium will begin and feature many influential speakers including the Polish Minister of National Defense, Chief of Staff to the Polish Armed Forces, and SOF Commanders from Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia, and the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command – Europe. That’s a lot of brass!
As the Global SOF Foundation is a networking organization, ample time is built into the schedule to allow attendees to discuss the presentations, make introductions, and peruse the Exhibit Hall. These networking events bring many new faces, nations, and companies together… and they even involve refreshments!
We’re especially excited about the closing reception on Day 3. Our Partners at Chainalysis have made our previously informal tradition of finding local karaoke bar a formal event, and are hosting a “musical” reception at a local Polish establishment. Calling all attendees with a good singing voice… we’ve heard our staff, and we’re going to need you.
The People
The 2021 GSOF Symposium – Europe will offer unique opportunities for all attendees to meet with policymakers from 23 Nations (and counting). We are pleased to welcome international delegates from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Speakers at this event come from a range of backgrounds ranging from the CEO and Founder of Strategy & Future – The Future of Central European Defence and Security, Dr. Jacek Bartosiak, to Dr. Isaiah “Ike” Wilson, President of Joint Special Operations University. The official topics that will be discussed by these speakers will range from “SOF in the Great Power Competition” to “Recruiting and Retaining SOF,” and we expect that many more issues and commonalities will be discussed among attendees off stage.
This event also gives defense companies with capabilities relevant to European SOF the opportunity to purchase exhibit space or sponsorship opportunities, all of which are detailed on the event website. In addition to over 40 confirmed exhibitors, this year’s level sponsors include:
- Platinum: Airbus Defense and Space
- Gold:
- Silver:
- Bronze:
We’re so grateful for the support of these organizations, as they help make everything possible!
There’s Still Time To Get Involved!
If you like what you’re hearing, reading, or seeing, you can still join us in Poland! But don’t delay. With the added requirements of vaccines, COVID-19 tests, and Locator Forms, there are a couple more steps added to international travel in 2021!
These are not insurmountable tasks, but they do require a little more time, so we recommend that you don’t wait till the last minute and register for this Symposium TODAY!
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