Spring Tech Expo returns

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – APG personnel had the opportunity to view state-of-the art innovations and office equipment during the Tech Expo at Top of the Bay, April 12. More than 200 attendees learned about technological advancements from 38 vendors.

Federal Direct Access Expositions hosted the event. This is the first time the Spring Tech Expo has been held at APG since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, said event planner Jade Ruiz. Bringing the technology directly to Soldiers, civilians and contractors makes it convenient for them to meet with industry members, she said.

“There is a wide range, anything from simple cases to wide range communication, fiber optics, it is a good mixture of different technologies and a little something for everybody,” she said.

Ruiz said the break from hosting events allowed FDAE some time for brainstorming. Attendees appreciated learning about the products directly from company representatives, she said.

“It is kind of neat to see the emergence of different ideas,” she said. “People really wanted to get back to that face-to-face interaction. It is good to see everyone reconnecting.”

Tom Lewis, a sales director with MilDef, showed attendees heavy-duty, rugged equipment, like laptops, servers and controllers, used by Soldiers in the field.

“If you are going to go into the battlefield with bullets flying around, this is the stuff you want to have,” he said.

Greg Cook, a field application engineer, represented SCI. This company delivers Tactical Operations Center Inter-Communication System or TOCNET digital intercommunications solutions for military applications. Cook said the Tech Expo is beneficial because it gives the military community a chance to see the equipment in person.

“Virtual shows can only give you so much,” he said. “This gives us a chance to go interact with people in person.”

Shayla Evans, representing Cambridge Radio Frequency Systems, or CRFS, said her company provides rugged deployable systems to detect, identify and geolocate signals in complex radio frequency environments. This technology is used by military, intelligence, law enforcement and regulatory agencies. Evans said this was her first time at the Tech Expo. She appreciates that the venue is held at Top of the Bay, which features waterfront views.

“Our radios are highly sensitive, so they are able to detect things with an almost pinpoint accuracy,” she said about the CRFS equipment.

Michael Hogan, with the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command’s Aberdeen Test Center, said he attends to learn about the latest technologies. He has a career in cyber security.

“It gives everybody an idea of what is out there,” he said about the event. “You get to see new technologies and sometimes find solutions to some of the problems you have.”

Camil Touimi represented Cimquest, a leading resource for 3D printing, computer-aided manufacturing and reverse engineering solutions. He said 3D printing has risen in popularity.  An event like the tech expo gives him a chance to explain the technology, he said.

“It is a combination of the technology maturing and being easier to use,” Touimi explained about the increased use of 3D technology.

Ruiz said the FDAE is planning on hosting a show in the fall, date to be determined.  For more information, visit https://fdaexpo.com/.

Note: Commercial vendors mentioned in this story are neither endorsed nor sponsored by the Department of Defense, U.S. Army or Aberdeen Proving Ground. Their appearance here is simply to support bringing news of interest to the APG community.