General Atomics to Shine as Gold Sponsor of the 37th Annual Navy Gold Coast Procurement Event | General Atomics

General Atomics Headlines Major Sponsors at Premier Navy Procurement Conference as Small Businesses Gain Access to Defense Contracts

San Diego Convention Center hosts 37th annual Navy Gold Coast Small Business Exposition with industry giants fostering strategic partnerships

SAN DIEGO, CA – August 6, 2025 – The nation's premier Navy procurement conference returns to San Diego this month as General Atomics and its affiliate General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) take center stage as Gold Sponsors of the 37th annual Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Exposition, running August 18-21 at the San Diego Convention Center.

The four-day event, presented by the San Diego Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) in partnership with the Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), serves as the country's largest forum for connecting small businesses with key decision-makers across the Navy and broader Department of Defense.

Major Industry Participation Drives Small Business Opportunities

General Atomics' participation as a Gold Sponsor represents a step down from their Diamond Sponsorship level in 2024, yet underscores their continued commitment to expanding their supplier base through strategic small business partnerships. The San Diego-based defense contractor, which operates over 8 million square feet of facilities and employs more than 13,000 people globally, has been a consistent participant in the annual event.

"The GA and GA-ASI Small Business Program Offices participate annually to enhance their supplier base through strategic small business partnerships," the company stated in their August 11 announcement. "We look forward to engaging with the small businesses that attend this year's event toward leveraging these partnerships in support of our nation's warfighters."

GA's diverse portfolio spans unmanned aircraft systems, electromagnetic rail guns, high-power lasers, nuclear fusion research, and advanced materials technologies, creating numerous opportunities for small business subcontractors and suppliers.

Comprehensive Networking and Educational Platform

The Gold Coast conference has evolved into a comprehensive business development platform since its inception nearly four decades ago. The 2025 event features over 200 government agencies and industry organizations on the exhibit floor, including representation from all ten Navy Systems Commands.

Key Conference Features:

• One-on-one matchmaking sessions – described as "the hallmark of Gold Coast," these structured meetings connect small businesses directly with government and industry contracting personnel
• Expert-led panels and workshops covering procurement processes, compliance requirements, and market opportunities
• Networking events facilitating informal connections between attendees
• Educational sessions delivered by government and industry experts
• Exhibit floor with over 200 participating organizations

Recent data from the 2024 conference demonstrates the event's impact: Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) representatives alone conducted matchmaking sessions with nearly 70 different small businesses during the three-day period.

Small Business Participation and Benefits

The exposition addresses a critical need within the defense industrial base. As noted by Kimberly Reidy, director of NAVWAR's Office of Small Business Programs, "Over the past 10 years, the defense industrial base has been shrinking, so it's important to remove as many barriers to entry as we can to build it back up again to support our warfighters."

Small businesses can participate in multiple ways:

• Industry registration for general attendance and networking
• Exhibitor registration for companies seeking prominent visibility
• Matchmaking session participation for structured meetings with potential customers
• Workshop attendance for educational content on government contracting

The conference specifically targets various categories of small businesses, including those designated under the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program, women-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone certified companies.

Strategic Importance for Defense Innovation

The event addresses growing concerns about maintaining a robust defense industrial base while fostering innovation. NAVWAR's emphasis on small business collaboration reflects broader DOD priorities, with officials citing the agility and innovation that smaller companies bring to defense challenges.

"Small businesses are vital to NAVWAR and the Navy as a whole because it's where we find innovation and agility," explained Reidy during the 2024 conference. This sentiment is echoed across Navy systems commands, which collectively sent multiple leaders to participate in structured networking sessions.

The conference also serves as a platform for emerging technologies. Recent demonstrations have included autonomous capabilities, cybersecurity solutions, and advanced materials – areas where small businesses often lead innovation efforts.

Venue Location and Access Requirements

The exposition takes place at the San Diego Convention Center, a premier meeting facility located at 111 West Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101, in the heart of downtown San Diego's Marina district. The facility sits adjacent to the vibrant Gaslamp Quarter and just steps from Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.

Facility Details: The San Diego Convention Center offers 615,700 square feet of exhibit space and can accommodate up to 125,000 attendees. The building comprises three levels: ground, mezzanine and upper levels, with exhibit halls located on the ground level and meeting rooms on the mezzanine and upper levels.

Transportation and Accessibility:

• Airport Access: Just 3 miles from San Diego International Airport, with typical ride-share trips taking 10-15 minutes
• Public Transit: Two San Diego Trolley stops directly in front of the building (Harbor Drive/First Avenue and Harbor Drive/Fifth Avenue)
• Parking: On-site underground garage with 1,950 spaces, plus a 2,000-space structure across the street at Harbor and 8th Avenue
• Rail Access: Less than one mile from the downtown Amtrak station

Security and Entry Requirements: As with all events at the San Diego Convention Center, attendees should expect bag checks upon entry and restrictions on prohibited items such as weapons, drones, and oversized luggage. Valid government-issued identification is required for event verification and entry.

Citizenship and Clearance Considerations: While the conference itself is open to all registered attendees, participants should be aware that defense contracting involves specific regulatory requirements:

• ITAR Restrictions: Companies working with defense-related technologies covered under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) may only share sensitive technical data with "U.S. persons" (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or protected individuals) unless proper export licenses are obtained
• Security Clearances: While not required for conference attendance, many defense contracts require personnel to hold security clearances, with eligibility generally limited to U.S. citizens
• Export Control Compliance: Foreign nationals and non-U.S. persons can participate in the conference and general networking activities, though access to specific technical discussions or classified contract information may be restricted

Small businesses should consult with export control attorneys if they have questions about ITAR compliance requirements for their specific operations or employee eligibility.

Registration and Participation Details

Multiple registration categories accommodate different participation levels:

• Standard industry registration for general attendance
• Sponsorship opportunities at various levels for increased visibility
• Exhibitor packages for companies seeking prominent floor presence
• Matchmaking session registration for structured business meetings

Early registration discounts were available through May 15, 2025, with the conference organizers emphasizing the value proposition for small businesses seeking to establish or expand their government contracting presence.

The event website at navygoldcoast.org provides comprehensive information on agenda details, speaker lineups, and registration processes.

Looking Forward

As the defense industry continues evolving, events like Navy Gold Coast play an increasingly crucial role in maintaining supply chain diversity and fostering innovation. General Atomics' continued sponsorship, alongside participation from major prime contractors and all Navy systems commands, creates an environment where small businesses can access opportunities that might otherwise remain beyond reach.

The 2025 conference represents more than just a networking event – it's a strategic initiative to strengthen the defense industrial base while ensuring small businesses have the tools and connections necessary to contribute to national security objectives.

For participating small businesses, the four days in San Diego offer unprecedented access to decision-makers, educational resources, and potential partnerships that could transform their role in supporting the nation's warfighters.

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Sources

1. General Atomics. "General Atomics to Shine as Gold Sponsor of the 37th Annual Navy Gold Coast Procurement Event." August 11, 2025. https://www.ga.com/ga-to-shine-as-gold-sponsor-of-the-37th-annual-navy-gold-coast-procurement-event
2. NDIA San Diego Chapter. "Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Exposition." https://www.navygoldcoast.org/
3. APEX Accelerator San Diego. "Navy Gold Coast - Premier Navy Procurement Expo." April 25, 2024. https://apexsocal.org/event/37th-annual-department-of-the-navy-gold-coast-small-business-procurement-event/
4. U.S. Navy DVIDS. "NAVWAR Champions Small Business Collaboration at Gold Coast Conference to Boost Innovation and Agility." https://www.dvidshub.net/news/479554/navwar-champions-small-business-collaboration-gold-coast-conference-boost-innovation-and-agility
5. National Defense Industrial Association. "2025 Navy Gold Coast Premier Procurement Expo Registration." Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-navy-gold-coast-premier-procurement-expo-industry-registration-registration-1250763961679
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7. National 8(a) Association. "36th Annual Department of the Navy Gold Coast Small Business Exposition." https://www.national8aassociation.org/calendar-of-events/36th-annual-department-of-the-navy-gold-coast-small-business-exposition
8. General Atomics. "General Atomics to Shine as Diamond Sponsor of the 36th Annual Navy Gold Coast Procurement Event." 2024. https://www.ga.com/ga-to-shine-as-diamond-sponsor-of-the-36th-annual-navy-gold-coast-procurement-event
9. General Atomics. "Welcome to General Atomics." https://www.ga.com/
10. San Diego Convention Center. "Building Map." https://www.visitsandiego.com/building-map
11. San Diego Tourism Authority. "San Diego Convention Center Parking and Directions." https://www.sandiego.org/article/convention-center-parking-and-directions
12. Sharetru. "ITAR Requirements for Your Employees: Who's at Risk?" August 26, 2024. https://www.sharetru.com/blog/itar-requirements-for-your-employees
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14. General Atomics to Shine as Gold Sponsor of the 37th Annual Navy Gold Coast Procurement Event | General Atomics