United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Europe
New Zealand
Canada
More than 2,000 government, military and industry energy leaders are gathering April 21-23 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City for the 2026 Defense Logistics Agency Energy Worldwide conference, a forum focused on strengthening the U.S. military’s global energy supply chain.
Across three days, the program features about 60 breakout sessions, panel discussions led by senior energy leaders and more than 70 industry exhibits aimed at advancing resilient solutions through closer public‑private collaboration.
Opening the event, DLA Energy acquisition executive Gabby Earhardt set the theme, “Strategic Energy for Global Advantage,” framing energy as central to national security priorities.
The conference host, Navy Rear Adm. George Bresnihan, commander of DLA Energy, emphasized the scope of the community in attendance. “When you look around this room, what you see is the heart of America’s strategic advantage. This room is filled with the best minds in the business — our dedicated DLA professionals, members from every military service, and our innovative industry leaders, partners and allies. Your presence here is a powerful testament to our shared purpose, and I am incredibly proud to be part of this team,” Bresnihan said.
Bresnihan underscored that the theme is a mandate, not a slogan, describing energy as the lifeblood of the warfighter amid contested logistics and sustained strategic competition. He pointed to DLA’s priorities — Set the Globe, Set the Agency and Set the Supply Chain — as guideposts for adapting and delivering under pressure.
For first-time attendee Tech. Sgt. Owen Meeks, an Air Force petroleum equipment manager with the 635th Supply Chain Operations Wing at Scott Air Force Base, the event offers both technical insight and a chance to expand professional networks. “For me, it was for information, networking, and seeing people I’ve worked with in the past and will in the future,” Meeks said, a 16-year veteran. He noted that engaging with innovators and contractors “definitely helps in the equipment management area.”
Meeks said he plans to attend briefings to connect with leadership across services and hopes to return in future years, adding that the conference is valuable for rising leaders. “It’s good seeing some of the younger airmen and NCOs get to experience what happens at the higher levels,” Meeks said.
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Giovanni Tuck, a former DLA Energy commander and Joint Staff J4, called the level of industry-military engagement “remarkable.” He noted attendance of about 2,200 and moderated a panel on securing bulk petroleum in contested environments. He urged closer collaboration and said the joint force must set conditions now for operations in the next five to 10 years. “The networking activity between groups coming up with the ideas that we need, that’s what makes this really powerful,” Tuck said.
Additional details and the full schedule are available on the DLA Energy Worldwide website.
