Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04) will attend the Modeling and Simulation Congressional Caucus Leadership Summit on Monday, February 11, 2013 in Chesapeake, Virginia. The M&S Leadership Summit, hosted by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA) and in conjunction with the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus, will bring together leaders from the Modeling & Simulation community to address top priorities to be undertaken by the M&S Congressional Caucus this legislative year.

“M&S plays a vital role in the future of our nation. Ensuring collaboration between government, academia and industry is key to unlocking the innovative potential of modeling and simulation, especially as America faces increasingly constrained budgets,” Forbes stated. “I look forward to meeting with my fellow colleagues, Department of Defense leaders, M&S educators and industry experts at this year’s Summit to discuss M&S opportunities and to listen to their input as we develop a national legislative agenda for this critical industry.”

WHO: Congressman J. Randy Forbes (VA-04), Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Congressman Scott Rigell (VA- 02), and Modeling and Simulation leaders from government, academia and industry.

WHAT: The M&S Leadership Summit is held each year to bring together influential M&S leaders to discuss policy goals for the up and coming industry.  The 2013 M&S Leadership Summit theme is Modeling & Simulation: A National Enterprise “Achieving National Priorities Through Modeling & Simulation.” Attendees will discuss overcoming defense budget constraints, growing jobs in the M&S industry, and M&S legislative priorities.

WHEN: Monday, February 11, 2013, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Norfolk Marriott Chesapeake, 725 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia 23320

The Modeling and Simulation Leadership Summit is held annually to discuss the M&S practice and how it serves the needs of our nation. Modeling & Simulation involves complex computer models to create artificial environments. America's military uses simulators to train personnel in multiple areas including flying aircrafts and detecting improvised explosive devices. The Congressional M&S Caucus, which Congressman Forbes founded and currently chairs, showcases M&S initiatives, promotes the M&S industry, and serves as a forum to understand the policy challenges facing this growing and versatile technology.