Sea-Air-Space is where naval and maritime defense priorities meet the supplier floor in one tight week. If you sell into the sea services, build maritime security tech, or want a reality check on near-term procurement direction, this National Harbor gathering is built for decision-maker density and fast follow-ups.
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Sea-Air-Space 2026 - Event Snapshot
National Harbor, Maryland
Dates
April 19–22, 2026
City and Venue
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland, USA
Show format
Navy League global maritime exposition with conference programming and a large exhibit footprint
Typical attendees
Sea service leaders, defense and maritime security stakeholders, program offices, primes, integrators, and maritime tech suppliers
National Harbor is compact. Staying walkable to the Gaylord keeps your schedule stable and makes it easier to stack meetings between sessions.
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What makes Sea-Air-Space different
Sea services + suppliers in one hall
The Navy League positions this as the largest maritime exposition in the United States, built to bring sea-service leadership, policy discussions, and a major supplier floor together in one week.
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Decision-maker density
The show is designed around senior sea-service participation and high-signal panels, which makes it a strong place to confirm priorities and buying direction.
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Exhibit layout built for fast meetings
Concentrated halls and a dedicated reception window make it easier to compress introductions, handoffs, and follow-ups into a short cycle.
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Maritime security focus by default
Compared with broad commercial shipping shows, the center of gravity here sits closer to maritime security, defense readiness, and operational capability.
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Location supports back-to-back schedules
National Harbor is walkable and hotel-dense. That matters for teams trying to stack sessions, booth time, and dinners without losing time to long transfers.
Simple approach: pick 8 to 12 targets, lock two meeting windows per day, and use the Apr 21 reception as your highest-yield networking block.
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Sea-Air-Space 2026 week game plan
Apr 19–22, 2026
The fastest ROI comes from treating this as a short-cycle meeting week. Pre-set targets, protect two meeting windows per day,
and use the receptions as your highest-yield networking blocks.
Suggested time split for a high-output week
Adjust for your role and target list size
Targeted meetings
45%
Exhibit floor
35%
Panels and sessions
20%
On-site anchors you can plan around
Exhibit hall windows
Sunday add-on (optional)
STEM Expo runs Sunday. If you are already in town, it is a low-pressure warm-up to badge, orient, and do a venue walk-through.
Mon and Tue core days
Plan for full expo days and stack meetings around morning and late-afternoon blocks. Keep one midday slot open for walk-ups.
Reception windows
Treat receptions as your best networking conversion time. Go in with a short hit list and a simple intro and ask.
Simple daily rhythm: 2 pre-booked meetings before lunch, 1 walk-and-talk in the afternoon, then a tight reception loop.
End each night by selecting the next day’s top 6 targets.
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Day-by-day move list
Before you arrive
Build a target list of 12–20 companies or programs.
Create a one-page capability or needs brief that fits on a phone screen.
Monday
Do a fast hall sweep first hour, then lock meeting points.
Prioritize top-tier targets early, before calendars fill.
Capture names and next steps immediately after each touch.
Tuesday
Use the morning for deeper technical conversations.
Keep one open slot for introductions that appear on Monday.
Use the reception window to convert warm leads into scheduled follow-ups.
Wednesday (short day)
Close loops: confirmations, reference calls, site visits, or demos.
Send same-day recap emails with 3 bullets and one clear next step.
Leave with a ranked shortlist, not a pile of brochures.
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Practical notes for National Harbor and the Gaylord
Walkable week
National Harbor is compact and meeting-friendly if you stay on-site or nearby. The main risk is commuting friction. Keep your hotel walkable and your schedule stays intact.
Venue map
The Gaylord sits on the waterfront promenade. Most dining and quick coffee options are a short walk, which makes it easy to keep meetings on time.
Arrivals and transfers
DCA is the closest major airport for the Gaylord.
Plan on rideshare or car service for the cleanest transfer.
IAD and BWI work if flights are better, but build extra buffer.
Getting around
National Harbor is built for walking once you are on-site.
If you want DC time, the water taxi is a scenic option in season.
Metro access requires a bus connection; rideshare is usually faster for tight schedules.
Meeting strategy that fits the venue
Use hotel lobby and waterfront walk-and-talks for quick follow-ups.
Pick one evening dinner location and keep groups in one place.
Schedule vendor demos early day and decision meetings late day.
Two practical defaults
1) Keep the team on one hotel block or within a short walk.
2) End each day with a 10-minute debrief that assigns owners and dates for follow-ups.
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Night-before checklist
Pick your top 6 targets for tomorrow and rank them.
Set two meeting windows and protect them.
Write your 15-second intro and your one ask.
Save booth numbers and meeting points on your phone.
Draft a same-day follow-up template for quick sends.
Set a hard stop time to avoid late-night schedule drift.
