STRONGER TOGETHER: Courageous Conversations About the Role of Trust in Securing Our Nation

27-29 October 2022
Naples, Florida

BENS is excited to announce our 40th Anniversary Policy Forum and Eisenhower Awards Dinner. This event celebrates BENS’ forty-year legacy of bringing the best in business together with senior military and government officials to leverage private sector expertise in developing solutions to some of the Nation’s most complex security challenges.

The event convenes elite business executives, tech innovators, national security stakeholders, noted journalists, key thought leaders, Administration officials, and other decision-makers for a day and a half of deep thinking, debate, relationship building and socializing.

We hope you will join us!

Fireside chat with Honorees at the 2021 Eisenhower Awards gala

Our Theme: Stronger Together

The current strategic environment demands true partnership between American business and industry and leaders from across the national security enterprise.

This Forum will investigate the essential role of trust in developing the strong foundation required for those partnerships. Six hard-hitting conversations among recognized global experts will drill down into areas where business’ responsibility to clients, shareholders and investors may not align with the missions of our Nation’s security organizations, presenting challenges to the development of trusting relationships.

Focus Conversations

Rebuilding American Consensus

Powering America’s Future: National Security Implications of Transitioning to New Energy

The Critical Importance of Trust to Our National Security

America’s Enduring China Challenge: Thinking Big and Innovating at Speed to Maintain Our Competitive Edge.
CONFIRMED: General David Berger, Commandant, US Marine Corps, and Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President & CEO (ret.), IBM.

Hazardous Waste: From Space Debris to Battery Disposal is Trash Creating Gaps in our Defense?

When Data Rules the World: Keys to Collecting, Leveraging and Protecting It.
CONFIRMED: General Keith Alexander, former Commander, USCYBERCOM; Jen Easterly, Director, US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA); Teresa Carlson, Corporate VP, Microsoft; and Sue Gordon, former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence.

The Weaponization of Finance: Risks and Rewards of Putting Business on the Front Lines

2019 Eisenhower Dinner Nakasone Stahl
Fireside chat with honorees at the 2022 Eisenhower Awards Gala

Who Should Attend

  • C-suite level executives committed to the concept that private sector expertise can help the Department of Defense and other national security agencies execute their missions to keep America secure.
  • Leading tech executives, VC and private equity investors, and other entrepreneurs interested in developing relationships throughout the national security enterprise.
  • Current and former leaders from the defense, homeland security, intelligence and federal law enforcement communities.

Planned Events

7:30 pm–9:30 pm

– Dessert/Charcuterie/Coffee/Cocktail Reception
– Opening Remarks and evening session

Contact Us

If you need assistance registering or have additional questions about the event, please contact our team at 40thAnniversary@bens.org.