Defense Research and Engineering Conference and Expo to Offer Interactive, Educational Sessions Presented by Government Agency and Defense Leaders.

Business Editors

Research Development and Design Expo 2003

Defense Research and Engineering Conference and Expo

MILFORD, Conn. & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 25, 2003

Unicomm, LLC 

Thought leaders and decision makers in Defense and Homeland Security 

to speak on their strategic technology needs

as well as innovative, transformational ideas for meeting them

Unicomm, LLC, an innovative trade show and conference organizer, announces an outstanding lineup of speakers for the upcoming Defense Research and Engineering Conference and Expo (DREX), taking place November 17-20, 2003 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington D.C. The event is co-located with the ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and RD&D Expo presented annually by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

This unique conference program will explore the defense landscape and unveil technology, component and system needs at their critical point of definition. Speakers and topics will include:

-- Dr. William Schneider, Jr. Chairman, Defense Science Board -

"R&D Needs Revealed by the Iraq War"

-- Dr. Anthony Tether, Director, Defense Advanced Research

Projects Agency (DARPA) - "DARPA Strategic Technology Plans

and Defense Transformation"

-- Mr. Al Shaffer, Office of the Director of Defense Research and

Engineering - "DoD's $10 Billion Investment in Technologies

for Transformation"

-- Dr. Dale Klein, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for

Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs -

"Technologies to Win the Battle Against Global Terrorism"

-- Major General William Usher, US Air Force (Ret.) - "Bringing

New Technologies to the DoD through Advanced Concept

Technology Demonstrations"

-- Dr. Michael Griffin, President, In-Q-Tel -- "Venture Capital

Models for Government Science and Technology"

"DREX will give commercial and defense firms the opportunity to form partnerships and win new government opportunities as it will allow attendees to see behind the new Pentagon curtain," says Dr. Michael Lippitz, a leading defense and technology industry consultant and conference director. "It will offer interactive speaker and panel sessions, with ample Q&A time for persons and organizations who are truly interested in entering into the defense market, as well as enterprises currently involved with the defense industry that are looking to broaden their reach."

DREX is focused on the engineering of defense systems and the discovery and development of advanced technologies for defense and homeland security, from both traditional and nontraditional suppliers. The DREX conference program will provide a forum for defense and homeland security program managers, industry designers, project leaders, emerging commercial suppliers, military personnel, academics and any person or organization with an interest in the defense industry, to interact with and analyze the future of defense system requirements with some of the top decision makers at the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Homeland Security and other government and military organizations.

The defense industry has changed dramatically in the past few years and continues to transform at a rapid-fire rate, offering unprecedented opportunities for commercial organizations to contribute to government programs. DREX offers a window of opportunity for commercial technology providers to learn about how defense and government agencies are contemplating investing in and taking advantage of emerging technologies as well as educating these newer players on how to become involved with the defense systems of tomorrow.

Additionally, the DREX conference will offer insight to diverse military personnel and organizations, at all levels of the defense industry, as the sessions will provide insight into the current and future needs of the US government, as well as the concepts and technologies of tomorrow.

Aside from those involved directly with the defense industry, DREX is also supported by a large base of exhibiting companies in areas devoted to design and development, including focus areas such as: Engineered Materials, Design Tools, Components and Control Systems.

For more information on attending, exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact [e-mail], go online at http://www.rdexpo.com/drex or call Jill Birkett, Vice President, Unicomm at 203/878.2577 (email: [e-mail]). Note that discounted "early registrant pricing is available through October)!

About Unicomm, LLC

Unicomm, LLC is an independent business-to-business Communications Company specializing in originating and managing world-class trade shows and conferences in underserved and nascent markets. Located in Milford, Connecticut, Unicomm is led by a seasoned management team possessing more than 40 years of events industry experience and an impressive track record of dozens of successful show launches and hundreds of event productions.

About ASME International

ASME International, with 120,000 members worldwide, is focused on the technical, educational and research issues affecting mechanical engineers and the engineering professions. ASME conducts one of the world's largest technical publishing operations, holds numerous technical conferences worldwide, and offers hundreds of professional development courses each year. ASME sets internationally recognized industrial and manufacturing codes and standards that enhance public welfare and safety.