DHS allocates additional funding for Airport Security Technologies making Aviation Security Summit the most time relevant event

New York, NY – June 10, 2010 – The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA) is pleased to announce the Aviation Security Summit scheduled for June 29 - 30, 2010 at the Rosemont Hotel O’Hare, Chicago, IL.

President Obama signed into law The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) in February 2009, committing more than $3 billion of funding for homeland security projects. $1 billion was allocated to TSA for aviation security projects - $734 million is dedicated to screening checked baggage and $266 million is allocated for checkpoint explosives detection technologies.

More recently, on June 2, 2010 the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that approximately $78 million will be dedicated to funding the ARRA for airport security technology projects designed to enhance the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) efforts to strengthen security at airports while creating jobs across the country.

As billions of dollars are being allocated towards bolstering aviation and airport security,IDGA’s Aviation Security Summit could not come at a better time to provide a forum for key government decision makers and industry partners to address the modern technology initiatives and the many complexities of securing our airports.

Key sessions include:

• White House Initiatives in Aviation Security
  Brian Rohde, Director of Aviation Security Policy, Transborder Security Directorate, White House National Security Staff
• Sensitive Security Information (SSI) Training for Aviation Stakeholders
  Wayne Webb, Program Analyst, Sensitive Security Information Branch, TSA
• Panel Discussion: Is Airport Infrastructure Ready To Support High Speed Explosives Detection Systems (EDS)
  Chuck Vanzant, Sr. Manager, Airport Security Technology, Southwest Airlines Co.
  Mr. David Harder, Partner, BAS Strategic Solutions Inc. (Former Program Manager for TSA's Electronic Baggage Screening Program)
  Mr. Victor Thompson, Chairman & CEO, Vic Thompson Company
  Ms. LeeAnn Levesque, General Manager, SureScan Corporation
• To learn more, view the completed agenda at www.AviationSecurityEvent.com.

From technology gaps, to surveillance techniques, to communication and intelligence- Aviation Security Summit will tie together the new security initiatives making this the MOST RELEVANT time for government and industry heads to come together to work their solution into the overall strategy.

For more information on sponsoring or attending Aviation Security Summit please visit www.AviationSecurityEvent.com or contact Alexa Deaton at alexa.deaton@idga.org.

The Institute for Defense & Government Advancement (IDGA) is a non-partisan information-based organization dedicated to the promotion of innovative ideas in public service and defense through live conferences and events. We bring together speaker panels and events comprised of military and government professionals while attracting delegates with decision-making power from military, government, and defense industries.

In addition to our live events, IDGA also offers an online community dedicated to providing defense industry professionals with breaking news, business opportunities, introductions, podcasts, webinars, and presentations from key industry leaders. Members of our online community are able to extend their live event experience and interact with the defense industry by leveraging the opportunity to network, share ideas, best practices, and business solutions.