The Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi, in partnership with the Mississippi Enterprise for Technology, has announced plans for the 2026 Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium.
The three-day event is scheduled for Sept. 2-4 at the Sheraton hotel and conference center in Flowood. Jackson State University will serve as the featured academic co-host.
Organizers said in a news release that the symposium will build on the momentum of previous gatherings, including a 2024 edition in Oxford and the 2025 edition in Biloxi. The annual conference brings together leaders from industry, government, academic, and the defense community with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and economic development within Mississippi’s aerospace and defense sectors.
“The Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium has become the premier platform to connect thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and public-sector partners in ways that are shaping the future of this industry in our state,” Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi Executive Director Sara Doss said.
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According to organizers, the 2026 symposium will feature discussions centered on defense and space priorities, emerging technologies, and applied research. The agenda is expected to include panel discussions, networking sessions, and structured opportunities for collaboration among industry, academic, and government partners.
With Jackson State serving as the featured academic co-host, the event will also highlight the university’s research efforts in aerospace and propulsion systems, autonomous platforms, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, advanced materials, and federal mission support. Those initiatives reflect the school’s role in support defense, space, and homeland security missions while contributing to workforce development and business growth across the state, the release said.
“As we continue to strengthen the ties between academic, industry, and federal partners, [the symposium] serves as a powerful conduit for innovation, talent cultivation, and economic impact,” Mississippi Enterprise for Technology President and CEO Davis Pace said.
“Mississippi has a highly collaborative network of aerospace and defense industry leaders, and Jackson State University is proud to contribute to the network and demonstrate our academic and research capabilities, innovative thinking, and successful Air Force Reserve officer training,” Jackson State Vice President of Research and Economic Development Dr. Almesha Campbell added. “[The symposium] provides an immersive chance for our students, faculty, and staff to further learn and contribute to the advancements happening in our state and region.”
Additional details about the agenda, registration, and sponsorship opportunities are expected to be released in the coming months. More information about the 2026 Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium can be found here.