Specialist Defence and Security Convention UK (SDSC-UK) 1 & 2 November 2023
www.sdsc-uk.co.uk
Welcome to Specialist Defence & Security Convention UK (SDSC-UK), formerly the Three Counties Defence and Security Expo (3CDSE), the UK’s most diverse and forward-thinking defence and security expo.
SDSC-UK is an active touchpoint for leading-edge technology and strategic thinking, bringing together the UK’s leading innovators to create a forum for mutually beneficial commercial discussions between industry, armed forces, government, law enforcement and emergency services.
Format:
- Tuesday 31 Oct – Welcome Drinks Reception
- Wednesday 1 Nov – MOD UKStratCom and DE&S Special Projects Industry Day
- Wednesday 1 Nov – SDSC-UK Gala Dinner
- Thursday 2 Nov – SDSC-UK Expo and Conference
Ticket Prices:
Day One MOD Special Projects Industry Day 1 November 2023
includes refreshments and buffet lunch and complimentary access to Day Two: Exhibition and Conference
Visitor: £295 + VAT
SDSC-UK 2023 Exhibitor price: £265.50 + VAT
Three Counties Regional Defence & Security Cluster (3CRDSC) Member price: £265.50 + VAT
Gala Dinner
Includes drinks reception and 3-course dinner
Tables hosted by UKStratCom, DE&S and DSTL
Ticket price £120 + VAT pp
Day Two: Exhibition and Conference, Thursday 2 November 2023
Visitor: £39 + VAT
Exhibitor: free of charge
Exhibitor Guest: free of charge
Pre-event Welcome Drinks Reception 31 October 2023
Complimentary with any Day One or Day Two ticket purchase.
Overview
Our event this year will take place on Wednesday 1 November 2023 (MOD Industry Day) and Thursday 2 November 2023 (Exhibition and Conference) at our new venue, Telford International Centre.
Formerly known as 3CDSE, and now in its 6th edition, SDSC-UK is the UK’s only dedicated showcase event for industries serving the Specialist User community. Supported by the UK MOD Strategic Command and Defence Equipment & Support since 2019, SDSC-UK showcases Aerospace, Land, Naval and Joint domains.
It also provides a platform for emerging technologies in Space and Manufacturing as well as products and services from non-traditional defence industries such as Agritech, Fintech and Automotive – industries which similarly embrace innovation and drive digital transformation.
USSOCOM and UK MOD Innovation Foundry
We are delighted to advise the exclusive announcement of UK MOD hosting of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Innovation Foundry (IF).
The IF intends to bring together Special Operations Forces, industry, academia, national labs, government, and futurists in an exploration, design thinking, facilitated event to assist USSOCOM in decomposing future scenarios and missions.
The event will be a compelling opportunity for leading minds in industry, academia, labs, and government, as well as subject matter experts (SMEs). During the IF event, selected participants will ideate, collaborate, and develop concepts for the future needs of SOF. USSOCOM has also used Innovation Foundries to build key relationships with entrepreneurs and technology developers.
There will be 2 opportunities to hear the announcement; during the MOD SP Industry Day 1 November and also during the Exhibition and Conference 2 November.
Pre-Event – Welcome Drinks 31 October 2023
This year for the first time, we are delighted to be holding a complimentary pre-event Welcome Drinks Reception, which will be held on Tuesday 31 October 2023. We’ve arranged it for such a time to allow guests to mingle, and then to either stay on at our venue, or visit the many restaurants and bars of Telford city centre.
Day One 1 November 2023
MOD Special Projects Industry Day will comprise briefings from MOD project managers across multiple divisions on future technology requirements for the UK military.
This year the Industry Day is open to UK Visitors who hold minimum Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) or equivalent. It is also open to other 5 EYES countries, NATO countries and NATO Global Partners who will be required to demonstrate their security credentials for admittance.
The level of BPSS for UK Visitors aims to allow new entrants to the Defence and Security Industry, as well as seasoned industry professionals, to attend. Please see our website for further information.
Gala Dinner.
The evening of Day One compromises a black-tie dinner with high profile speakers and tables hosted by MOD project managers. US DOD team leaders will also be present for networking as guests.
Security clearance is not required for the dinner, and we welcome international visitors from 5 EYES, NATO and NATO Global Partner countries.
Day Two 2 November 2023
SDSC-UK Exhibition and Conference.
Exhibition:
Day Two is the commercial Exhibition for which security clearance is not required but delegates are restricted to those with a genuine role in the military and/or defence industries from 5 EYES, NATO and NATO Global Partner countries. In 2022, the Expo comprised c.135+ exhibitors and c.1,600 delegates.
Exhibitors quite often have ‘discrete’ displays, due to the nature of some products (data, cyber, conceptual), however taking an exhibition stand provides a base to which touring UK MOD DE&S buying Team leaders as well as other buying delegations can visit. From there you will have a platform from which to describe your products and services.
Conference:
Our unclassified Conference runs alongside the Exhibition and will present open briefings from military and industry speakers, including keynote talks by UK MOD, US DOD, and International Theatre and a Business Development Theatre.
UK MOD ‘Meet the Buyer’
1:1 unclassified meetings will be held on Day Two Expo & Conference at the UK MOD DE&S exhibition stand, allowing Industry Visitors and Exhibitors to meet with their most relevant UK MOD project managers. More private discussions may take place in closed meeting rooms, and further related meetings at future dates may thereafter also be arranged with MOD.
Sign-up for the UK MOD Meet the Buyer sessions will be on a ‘first come, first served’ basis on the day. Please visit the UK MOD stand to provide your details, and a time slot will be allocated to you
US DOD
We are delighted to again welcome representatives from US Army DEVCOM, who invite exhibitors to meet with them for 1:1 ‘Pitch and Present’ sessions during Day Two, as well as USSOCOM, Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) and SOFWERX.Further information here. Hyperlink ‘here’ to [https://www.sdsc-uk.co.uk/agenda/department-defence-dod]
US Army DEVCOM ‘Pitch and Present’
US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) is a team of world-class scientists, engineers, analysts, technicians and support staff who are fully focused on empowering America’s Soldiers today and in the future. DEVCOM leverage cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum effects, autonomy, robotics, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to see, sense, decide and act faster than their adversaries.
US Army DEVCOM will be holding ‘Pitch and Present’ sessions throughout the day on Day Two, 2 November. The presentation slots will be 15 mins (10 mins presentation and 5 mins Q&A). There will be additional contingency time should the discussions require to continue.
Sign up is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis on the day, but expressions of interests should be made in advance via .
Since visiting SDSC-UK in 2021/2022, US Army DEVCOM advise they have SDSC-UK exhibitors awarded deals of $1.5M as a direct result of attending the show.
Sponsorship
Our sponsorship packages provide enhanced opportunities to raise the profile of your company and provide unique opportunities for engagement, starting at £1,500 + VAT.
Contact for further information.
Start Me Up Zone
Our Start Me Up zone aims to allow new entrants and start-ups to secure a presence at SDSC-UK without necessarily running to the expense of a dedicated shell scheme.
This can be done in various ways, including a simple table-top presence, through to being ‘fostered’ by a larger organisation, within your stand space.
Exhibition Stand Booking
Please contact for further information and to book your stand.
External Exhibits and Demonstrations
We also have the use of the surrounding hardstanding car parks which allows for the display of large machinery, vehicles and equipment etc
The outside of our venue is also an excellent area for external branding, which is included in several of our sponsorship packages.
Please contact us at for further information.
We look forward to welcoming you to SDSC-UK 2023.
The SDSC-UK Team