The New Zealand Defence Industry Association (NZDIA) will kick-off its Information Domain Engagement Acceleration Summit – IDEAS 2020 in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and New Zealand Defence Force on 01 September. 

As has been the case with recent NZDIA events, IDEAS 2020 will be delivered online via the Hopin platform delivered by PAXABLE.

“With IDEAS 2020, we are creating the opportunity and space for a wide cross section of industry: local, Australasian and global with an interest in the Defence and All-of-Government information endeavour, to come together,” stated NZDIA Chair Andrew Ford.

According to the event prospectus, there will be something for everyone in the programme, in the virtual exhibition space and in the online networking.

The Defence Capability Plan published by the Ministry of Defence in 2019 gave an initial glimpse into what New Zealand’s information domain might look like. “Enhancing situational awareness, response, information fidelity and command and control ability, the information domain,” states the DCP, “is essential to ensuring military capabilities are enhanced and remain credible within a global context.”

The Defence Capability Plan workshop in August 2019 was the first opportunity for industry to hear about the capabilities being considered in this domain, and IDEAS 2020 will re-invigorate the discussion with a two-day program in September (Part One) and another two-day program in October (Part Two).

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IDEAS 2020 will bring together industry (local, regional and international) and a range of Government agencies, to explore the development of collaboration in relation to the information domain. 

The two part summit: 

• Part One: Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 September 2020: With a focus on information delivery from Defence to Industry about Defence’s current thinking and developments in the Information Domain, along with indications of areas where industry ideas, problem solving and thought leadership can shape the design and way forward.

• Part Two: Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October 2020: A second opportunity for industry, academia and other agencies to engage with MOD/NZDF people and projects again, with a focus on Defence listening to, and engaging with, Industry on their ideas, perspectives and capabilities. 

Both Parts One and Two will be hosted Live via the Hopin Virtual Platform, which has proven itself in recent NZDIA events, delivering an unprecedented experience to virtual speakers, attendees and sponsors.

Approximately 450 people registered to attend the NZDIA’s July Member Meeting that was delivered both in person and online via Hopin. Despite COVID-19 border closures, attendees from across the globe were able to witness updates from Government and Defence officials while also attending sponsor booths and networking via chat facilities.

While the forum is welcoming to all industry players, event sponsors and NZDIA Members will receive additional support and value.

More information about IDEAS 2020 is available on the NZDIA website.