SOF Week 2026 at Tampa Convention Center

U.S. Special Operations Command and the Global SOF Foundation are set to open SOF Week 2026 in Tampa on Monday, May 18, with conference programming and related events running through May 21. The gathering will be based at the Tampa Convention Center and surrounding venues, according to the official event site and a Defense Visual Information Distribution Service listing. Organizers say the conference remains on schedule. The event has become the annual successor to the former Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, according to USSOCOM’s DVIDS page. ### Who is hosting the event in Tampa? U.S. Special Operations Command, in partnership with the Global SOF Foundation, is hosting SOF Week 2026 at the Tampa Convention Center and nearby sites in Tampa, Florida, from May 18 to May 21, according to DVIDS. The official SOF Week site also says the conference is “currently proceeding as scheduled” on those dates. DVIDS said the event evolved from the former SOFIC format into what it called the premier annual national convention for the international special operations enterprise. (sofweek.org) Organizers expect attendance of more than 19,000 people, including government officials, industry executives, special operators and representatives from more than 75 partner nations. ### When can attendees actually get into the exhibit halls? (dvidshub.net) Tuesday, May 19, is the first day general attendees can enter the exhibition halls, according to the registration page. The halls are closed to general attendees on Monday, May 18, while public access is listed for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 19 and May 20, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 21. The registration page says conference sessions are open only to people holding a full conference and exhibition pass. (dvidshub.net) Hospitality suites at the Tampa Convention Center are also closed to general attendees on May 18 and then open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 19 and May 20, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 21. ### Which technologies and companies are being highlighted? Carahsoft Technology Corp. said on May 13 that it would attend SOF Week 2026 with more than 90 technology and reseller partners. (sofweek.org) The company said its presence would focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, DevSecOps, open-source intelligence and other mission-critical systems. The Carahsoft release said the company would exhibit at booth No. 633 and in technology-focused alleys on the show floor. It also listed scheduled booth demonstrations across May 19, May 20 and May 21 from companies including Forward Networks, Rapid7, SAP, Cloudflare, Fivecast, Chainalysis and Silent Push. (markets.businessinsider.com) ### Which officials are expected to speak? Carahsoft’s event announcement identified several senior officials expected to appear during the week, including Admiral Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command; Derrick Anderson, assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict; Melissa A. Johnson, USSOCOM’s acquisition executive; General Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command; and General Gregory M. (markets.businessinsider.com) Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command. The official SOF Week site says featured speakers and the full agenda are available through its conference pages. It also lists dozens of participating countries and says sponsorship sales remain open. ### Where can attendees find the floor plan and registration details? SOF Week’s official registration page says attendee access rules, exhibitor guidance and contact details are posted online, with separate instructions for general attendees, exhibitors and corporate partners. (markets.businessinsider.com) The page also says on-site promo codes will not be applied to registrations. The event’s Map Your Show portal says users can search exhibitors and sessions, view the floor plan and build a planner for the May 18-21 conference in Tampa. (sofweek.org) Organizers’ “Know Before You Go” materials are also posted on the official site ahead of Monday’s opening. Thursday, May 21, is the last listed day for general-attendee exhibit access, ending at 3 p.m., according to the registration page. (sofweek.org) Registration, exhibitor listings, speaker information and the agenda remain available through the official SOF Week website and event planner before the conference opens on May 18. (sofw26.mapyourshow.com)