The theme for the 19th Annual STAR-TIDES Capabilities Demonstration is Reimagining Resilience: Empowering Local Communities in a Time of Uncertain Federal Support. The focus will be on how state and local actors can prepare, withstand, recover, and adapt better in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters as federal funds are being cut or redirected. The ability to adapt is especially important so that communities can operate in the post-disruption “new normal” in ways that leave them stronger than before and ready to meet the next challenge.
STAR-TIDES will be held April 12-14, 2026, at Mason’s Arlington campus (Mason Square) 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22201. Registration is free for attendees and is necessary for access to set-up on Sunday evening, the reception on Monday night and for free lunch on Monday and Tuesday. See sponsorship registration link for details on sponsorship opportunities. Most exhibits will be indoors, with the exhibit spaces immediately adjacent to the auditorium. A few adjacent outdoor areas provide space for larger exhibits. Exhibitors can register at no extra cost for the related TIDES event in the Pentagon Center Court on April 15-16.
The theme for 2026 will be “Reimagining Resilience: Empowering Local Communities in a Time of Uncertain Federal Support.” How can state and local actors prepare, withstand, recover, and adapt better in the face of increasingly severe natural disasters as Federal funds are being cut or redirected? Some initial focus areas are Helene-impacted regions and Puerto Rico, with possible extensions elsewhere, such as Maui and Los Angeles.
There is room for 40 exhibitors, so SIGN UP NOW
Agenda for the Demo
Sunday, April 12th, 2026
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Setup displays as desired
Monday, April 13th, 2026
7:00 am – 9:00 am: Setup displays
08:30 Registration and light breakfast
09:00 Welcome
09:10-09:50 Morning keynote: Reimagining resilience for local communities today
09:50-10:40 Panel: Trends in Federal, State and Local financing resilience/recovery/adaptation, Mar 2024-Mar 2026
10:40 Break (Poster contest?)
11:00-11:50 Panel: Trends in private sector funding for resilience/recovery/adaptation: business, philanthropy, NGOs Mar 2024-Mar 2026
11:50-12:30 Visit exhibits (Poster contest?)
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-16:30 Afternoon Breakouts (2 tracks)
13:30-1450
Track 1A Case studies of major disasters with unfinished responses
Track 1B Key technologies for mitigation, recovery, and adaptation available now
15:00-16:30
Track 2A Case studies of major disasters with successful adaptation
Track 2B: Key technologies available in next 3 years
16:30-17:00 Visit exhibits
17:00-17:45 Closing keynote or panel: What communities can do to become more resilient
18:00-19:30 Reception
Tuesday, April 14th, 2026
08:30 Registration and light breakfast
09:00 Welcome
09:10-09:50 Morning keynote: Reimagining resilience for local communities in 3-5 years
09:50-10:40 Panel: Assets communities can draw on (Community Development Organizations, etc.)
10:40 Break
11:00-11:50 Panel: Ways to integrate tech with people, organizations, and processes
11:50-12:30 Visit exhibits and lab tours
12:30-13:30 Lunch on own
13:30-16:00 Afternoon Breakouts (2 tracks)
13:30-14:50
Track 3A: Examples of designs for success: examples: Babcock Ranch, Coral Gables, Emerging Prairie/Grand Farm
Track 3B: “Strategic Growth for SMEs: Scaling with Purpose and Precision.” Silicon Valley Forum, a California-based nonprofit organization will conduct a workshop to provide business leaders with the opportunity to implement digital transformation initiatives empowered by a deeper understanding of the technologies, opportunities, and strategies they need to scale with purpose and precision.
15:00-15:50
Track 4A: TBD
Track 4B: The workshop will provide business leaders with the opportunity to implement digital transformation initiatives empowered by a deeper understanding of the technologies, opportunities, and strategies they need to scale with purpose and precision.
16:30-16:45 Close
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Set up exhibits in Pentagon and Center Courtyard
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Exhibits open in Pentagon and Center Courtyard
Thursday, April 16, 2026
9:00 am – 4:00 pm: Exhibits Open in Pentagon and Center Courtyard
4:00 pm: STAR-TIDES 2026 closes