September 8, 2026 — Nearly 100 businesses gathered with U.S. Navy and other federal officials in New Orleans on Sept. 2 for the Gulf Coast Innovation Industry Day, an event organized through the newly launched Gulf Coast Defense Catalyst (GCDC) partnership to connect companies with specific military technology needs.
Participation was strong, drawing 150 confirmed attendees, plus approximately 15 walk-ins, and representatives from 96 businesses to the NOPSI Hotel. Twenty exhibitors participated. Representatives attended from Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and other government organizations.