ALCOAST 356/08
COMDTNOTE 3900
SUBJ: INNOVATION EXPOSITION 2008
1. THIS ALCOAST ANNOUNCES THE EIGHTH ANNUAL COAST GUARD INNOVATION
EXPOSITION (EXPO 2008) TO BE HELD AT THE VIRGINIA BEACH CONVENTION
CENTER, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. FROM 17 - 20 NOV 2008.  EXPO 2008 IS
COORDINATED BY THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL AND IS BEING
SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION (NDIA).
ALL MEMBERS OF TEAM COAST GUARD ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO
ATTEND EXPO 2008.
2. THE THEME FOR EXPO 2008 IS COLLABORATION FUELS INNOVATION.
INDUSTRY EXHIBITORS WILL BE SELECTED FOR THEIR ABILITY TO PROVIDE
SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS TO COAST GUARD OBSTACLES OR CHALLENGES.
3. ALL COAST GUARD COMMANDS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A
REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO EXHIBIT. SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON
REQUESTING TO EXHIBIT IS AVAILABLE IN CG CENTRAL
(HTTP://MYCG.USCG.MIL) OR OUR CG/LEADERSHIP VOICES/INNOVATION
COUNCIL PAGE AND THE NDIA WEBSITE (HTTP://WWW.NDIA.ORG).
4. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, FUNDING WILL BE PROVIDED FOR TWO COAST
GUARD MEMBERS/EMPLOYEES PER COAST GUARD SPONSORED BOOTH. GUIDANCE
FOR FUNDING IS AVAILABLE IN CG CENTRAL.
5. ALL NON-EXHIBITING ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER AND PAY A CONFERENCE
FEE FOR THIS EVENT. CONFERENCE GUIDANCE ON ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING
HOW TO REGISTER IS AVAILABLE IN CG CENTRAL AND ON THE NDIA WEBSITE.
6. COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT
THE INNOVATION PROGRAM. UNITS ARE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE TAD ORDERS AT
GOVT EXPENSE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE EXPO 2008.
7. AT EXPO 2004 WE INTRODUCED AN INITIATIVE THAT ASSISTED OVER A
DOZEN COAST GUARD PROGRAMS AND GROUPS BY PROVIDING NO-COST MEETING
SPACE AND AUDIO-VISUAL ASSISTANCE TO THEIR MEETING OR CONFERENCE.
WE WILL CONTINUE THIS INITIATIVE, NOW CALLED THE GATHERING PLACE,
AT EXPO 2008 AND WILL BROKER MEETING SPACE ON SITE AT NO COST TO
THE PARTICIPATING PROGRAM OR GROUP. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO PLEASE
MAKE YOUR REQUEST EARLY. THE GATHERING PLACE REQUEST FORM MAY BE
FOUND IN CG CENTRAL. QUESTIONS MAY BE SENT TO INNOVATION(AT)
USCG.MIL.
8. A LIMITED NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS AT THE GOVERNMENT PER DIEM RATE
OF 79 DOLLARS (MAX LODGING) WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE VIRGINIA BEACH
OCEANFRONT MARRIOTT COURTYARD NORTH AND SOUTH, SPRINGFIELD SUITES
AND FAIRFIELD INN HOTELS. ONCE THESE ROOMS ARE RESERVED WE CAN NOT
GUARANTEE A ROOM AT THE GOVERNMENT RATE.
9. EXPO 2008 POINT OF CONTACT IS MR. FRED HOOGHOUSE, WHO MAY BE
REACHED AT 202-372-4579 OR VIA E- MAIL AT INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.
10. VADM CLIFFORD I. PEARSON, CHIEF OF STAFF, U.S. COAST GUARD
SENDS.
11. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.