Brady PieperA public-private partnership (P3) is working with the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to convene for an annual aerospace and defense symposium.
The Mississippi Enterprise for Technology (MSET) is announcing the 2025 Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium (MADS) will be held Oct. 22-24 at the Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi. This year’s symposium will serve as a collaborative space for public and private entities to exchange ideas, foster industry growth and advance technology and innovation.
“USM is proud to drive research and innovation that supports the aerospace and defense sectors,” USM Vice President for Research Dr. Kelly Lucas said. “The 2025 MADS will showcase Mississippi’s technological advancements while strengthening partnerships across industry, government and academia to advance the state’s leadership in these critical fields.”
For the third consecutive year, MSET, a Mississippi-based P3 focused on growing the state’s aerospace, defense and technology sectors, will host the innovative event. The symposium will be hosted by the Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi, an industry trade association that operates as a convening group for aerospace, aeronautics and defense stakeholders.
Seeking to build the state’s aerospace and defense ecosystem, the symposium will gather leaders from critical sectors, municipalities and academic institutions to foster the next generation of aerospace, defense and advanced innovations.
This year, the MADS will feature a variety of opportunities to collaborate with public entities, researchers, industries and private businesses. Some of these opportunities include:
- Keynote addresses from military leadership, government officials and senior executives from the aerospace and defense industries.
- Industry panel discussions about aerospace, defense, space and workforce initiatives.
- Exclusive site visits for key industry and research facilities.
- Technical expertise regarding Mississippi’s federal installations.
- Research, innovation and emerging technology showcases from researchers and stakeholders.
- Public-private networking opportunities for companies, policymakers and researchers.
- Contracting opportunities with some of the state’s municipalities, businesses and academic institutions.
The 2025 MADS aims to build upon last year’s success, which saw nearly 400 industry, government and academic contributors at USM.
The symposium’s co-sponsor, MSET, also operates Mississippi’s Technology Transfer Office through a statutory agreement made with the state, NASA and other partners. Both the symposium and the tech transfer office are designed to catalyze growth, foster innovation and contribute to Mississippi’s multibillion-dollar aerospace and defense industries.
“As Mississippi’s leader in aerospace and defense industry engagement, MSET is excited to build upon the momentum of our previous symposiums and expand opportunities for industry growth,” MSET President and CEO Davis Pace said. “This year’s event will highlight the state’s unique capabilities, showcase new technological advancements and strengthen partnerships that will position Mississippi for continued success in these sectors.”
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