This page will be your planning resource for all exhibits, providing in-depth information to help you prepare for the 2025 Special Air Warfare Symposium, including move-in and move-out times, furniture and material handling information, labor rates, and more.
Sign in to your Exhibitor Portal to upload your booth information, order Lead Capture, and more.
(Exhibitor portal login information sent to primary POC in an email)
Dates and Deadlines
DEC 10 | Exhibitor Kit Release
DEC 27 | Final Booth Payment Due
JAN 2 | DFWBCC (i.e. electricity, etc.) Portal will Open
TBD| Deadline to order AV
FEB 2 | Hotel Booking Deadline
FEB 4 | First-day advance shipment materials accepted at the warehouse
FEB 7 | Logo, URL, and company description due
FEB 10 | Program ad and video submission deadline | Last day to order electrical
FEB 14 | The advanced warehouse receiving deadline
FEB 19 | Last day to order additional equipment at advance order pricing | Due date for Freight Handling Order Form | Last day materials are accepted at warehouse (advanced shipping)
FEB 21 | CNECT Meeting Deadline
FEB 21 | Matchmaking Sign-up Deadline
FEB 24 | Show Site Shipment Deadline
FEB 25 | Exhibitor move-in day | Matchmaking Sessions |Show site shipments accepted after 10:00 AM
FEB 27 | Exhibit Hall 2025 sales begin for Corporate Partners ONLY
FEB 27 | Exhibitor move-out day
TBD | Return Shipping Begins
TBD | Final day for shipment pickup
Exhibitor Information
Sessions and Exhibit Hall
Destin – Fort Walton Beach Convention Center
1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Industry Matchmaking | Holiday Inn Resort Fort Walton Beach
Welcome Reception / Fireside Farewell | Hilton Garden Inn Fort Walton Beach
The Hilton Garden Inn and Holiday Inn Resort are conveniently located on adjoining properties, offering easy walking access between the two hotels.
Hilton Garden Inn: 1297 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
Holiday Inn Resort: 1299 Miracle Strip Parkway South East, Fort Walton Beach, FL. 32548
Stay at one of GSOF’s contracted hotels for the best experience. Find booking details, directions, travel info, and venue by visiting our Hotel and Travel page.
Hotel and TravelExhibitor Move-In:
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Exhibitor Hours:
Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, February 27, 2024 | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Exhibitors may attend sessions after 2:00 PM
Exhibitor Move-Out:
Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 2:00 PM
All exhibitor materials must be removed from the facility by 6:00 PM Thursday, February 27, 2025
Exhibitor KitClick below to view your location on our live floor plan.
Floor PlanBooth sizes for this event are 8’ x 10′ with the show color navy. The following items are included with each booth at this event:
• 2 complimentary booth staff passes
• 8’ tall backwall (navy)
• 3’ tall sidewalls (navy)
• 6’ expo table (covered skirt with ivory/champagne skirt)
• Waste basket
• Chairs (2)
• 7” x 40” booth identification sign
• Booth flooring is ballroom carpet
*Electricity is not included*
Exhibitor Services
Carolina Convention Services & Rentals (CCSR) will serve as the exclusive exhibit services provider (Shipping, Labor, Rentals).
Exhibitor KitTuesday, February 4, is the first day shipments can be received at our advanced warehouse location.
Wednesday, February 19, is the last day materials will be accepted at our advanced shipping warehouse.
Shipping Address
Sandestin Resort
Attn: Veal Convention Services, Inc.
Hold for: Carolina Convention Services/ SAWS Company Name, Booth # – Feb. 25-27
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West Miramar Beach, FL 32550
*All shipments should go to the Shipping and Receiving Warehouse*
*All exhibitors shipping materials for Special Air Warfare Symposium are required to complete a Freight Handling form. By shipping in advance, all of your materials will be in your booth awaiting your arrival on the designated set-up day. Freight Handling order form for rates, ordering information, and labels can be found in the Exhibitor Services Kit*
Carolina Convention Services & Rentals (CCSR) will serve as the exclusive exhibits services provider (Shipping, Labor, Rentals).
CCSR will accept crated, boxed, or skidded materials at the show site beginning at 10:00 AM Local Time on Monday, February 24, 2025 at the show site address. Shipments arriving before this date and time may be refused by the facility and may be subject to additional venue handling fees. Please see the enclosed Freight Handling order form for rates, ordering information, and labels.
SHOW SITE SHIPPING ADDRESS:
Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center
c/o Carolina Convention Services / SAWS 2024
Company Name, Booth Number – Feb. 25-27
1250 Miracle Strip Parkway SE Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
*All exhibitors shipping materials for Special Air Warfare Symposium are required to complete a Freight Handling form. By shipping in advance, all of your materials will be in your booth awaiting your arrival on the designated set-up day. Freight Handling order form for rates, ordering information, and labels can be found in the Exhibitor Services Kit*
TWI has been appointed by Global SOF Foundation as the preferred Customs Broker and International Freight Forwarder for delivery of international shipments destined for Special Air Warfare Symposium 2025.
The advanced warehouse receiving deadline: 14 February.
Contact: usa@twigroup.com
International Shipping FormWe’re hosting curated matchmaking meetings for conference participants designed to connect organizations with common or complementary goals.
To support impactful matching, our partner GovMates collects “areas of interest” from participating organizations, and create a custom schedule for participants based on their capabilities, technologies, or end goals.
The sessions take place over a 2-hour period in 15-minute increments – organizations will be matched for anywhere from one to eight meetings.
Date: Tuesday, 25 February 2024
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Deadline to sign up is 21 FEB 2025!
Small and non-traditional businesses
Sign Up HereLarge business? Government agency? Systems Integrator? Not sure where you fit? Email hannah@govmates.com to learn more and register.
Looking to purchase lead retrieval licenses?
Enhance your Special Air Warfare Week experience with Cvent’s LeadCapture tool.
Track your conference impact with easy app-based lead retrieval (compatible with your Android or iOS device).
You will have the opportunity to purchase Lead Retrieval through our exhibitor portal.
Many attendees of Special Air Warfare Symposium will be SOF Veterans who are in or nearing their transition from Active Duty Service.
We are giving all of our Exhibitors the opportunity to have a “We Are Hiring” icon placed at your booth–creating an opening for these Veterans to speak to your team about available opportunities.
Deadline 1 Week Prior to Event
Want a “We Are Hiring” icon? Contact Surita at srorie@gsof.org
Electrical, Internet, Utilities, Audio Visual rentals are offered by the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center.
Trade show electric price is dependent upon requirements. Exhibitors must turn off all booth lights at the close of the show each day. Exhibitors needing overnight electric service should indicate such on their request form.
Complimentary WiFi is available throughout the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. Hard wired lines are available to order, but inventory is limited – please order promptly.
Order deadline: Tuesday, February 18th
Order HereCarolina Convention Services & Rentals will serve as the exclusive exhibits services provider (Shipping, Labor, Rentals). The Exhibitor Services Manual is a tool to ensure your success and make your experience as smooth as possible. Please review the information, noting specifics regarding shipping, receiving, and ordering amenities for your exhibit space.
For online ordering, exhibitor main contacts will receive an email from info@carolinaconvention.net
Carolina Convention deadline for advance order is: February 19
Exhibitor KitBusiness Opportunities
At SAWS 2025, our CNECT program will feature exclusive 1:1 meetings, strategically designed to facilitate direct engagement between government and industry through a structured application and selection process.
Applications are due at 1200 CT on Friday, 21 FEB!
Apply HereWe’re hosting curated matchmaking meetings for conference participants designed to connect organizations with common or complementary goals.
Date: Tuesday, 25 February
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
The Deadline to sign up is 21 FEB 2025!
Sign Up HereMedia Guidelines
Book Trim Size: 5.5” wide x 8.5” tall
AD SIZES:
Non-bleed
– Full Page: 5” wide x 8” tall
– Half Page: 5” wide x 4” tall
Bleed Not available for this event guide
COLOR SPECIFICATIONS:
All Covers and Inside Pages: CMYK
DIGITAL SPECIFICATIONS:
All ads must be submitted in the following digital format only:
A high-resolution Adobe PDF/X file distilled at 300 dpi with all fonts embedded
Images must be CMYK
Do not embed ICC Profiles within images
Ads created in PowerPoint will NOT be accepted
Email print ready ads to Chloe Piazzese at cpiazzese@gsof.org no later than February 10, 2025
SOF Champion: (1) (max 90 seconds) video
SOF Advocate: (1) (max 60 seconds) video
SOF Supporter: (1) (max 60 seconds) video
Email video files to Chloe Piazzese at cpiazzese@gsof.org no later than February 10, 2025
Need Help?
If you have any sales questions, contact Trevor Burnett at sales@gsof.org
If you have any questions regarding fulfillment contact Chloe Piazzese at cpiazzese@gsof.org
Or visit the prospectus to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
ProspectusEach 8′ x 10′ booth comes with 2 complimentary Expo Only passes for their booth staff. Exhibitors will be provided a promo code to use when registering their 2 booth staff.
*If you’re registering for your complimentary passes, it must be done through our main registration page.*