Contracting & Defense Networking
Events in San Diego
Meet the people behind San Diego’s contracts.
The San Diego Chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) connects the region’s contracting and acquisition community through networking, shared experience, and professional development.
We welcome contract managers, government acquisition and procurement professionals, defense and aerospace industry professionals, small businesses, students, and people transitioning from military service. Build relationships across organizations, exchange practical ideas, and find ways to contribute to the profession.
Upcoming events
Save the Date · November 18, 2026
Virtual chapter event
Join NCMA San Diego online and stay connected with our contracting and acquisition community. Save November 18 on your calendar.
Time, topic, and joining details: To be announced. Registration information will be posted here when available.
Coming in December 2026
In-person chapter event
We’re planning another opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and meet members of San Diego’s contracting community.
Date, time, venue, and registration details: Coming soon.
Ask about upcoming programs or chapter event emails →
New to the chapter?
You do not need to be a longtime member to connect with NCMA San Diego. Guest eligibility and pricing vary by event, so check the individual listing before registering. Our October 2026 kickoff welcomed both members and non-members.
Explore chapter membership and ways to get involved →
Recent event: 2026 kickoff & board swearing-in
October 22, 2026 · Barrel Riot, Rancho Bernardo
The kickoff program combined the installation of the incoming board with a networking mixer to begin the 2026–2027 chapter year. This event has passed.
View the kickoff event archive →
See October 22 swearing-in photos and chapter memories →
Help shape our next program
Have a contracting topic you want to explore, a speaker to suggest, or an idea for a local networking event? We welcome ideas from members, employers, government colleagues, and community partners.
Share an event idea, ask about speaking, or offer to volunteer →
FREE EVENT: AI in Contracting: Risks, Realities & Responsible Use
Special Guest Speaker: Tom Koponen, NCMA Fellow
Light Bites and Refreshments Provided!
Register Now!
NCMA SD - Kickoff Mixer
Come join us to network and meet the new 2025-2026 Board of Directors
REGISTER USING FORM BELOW
Annual Kick-Off Meeting
We are thrilled to introduce and welcome our new Board of Directors!
To celebrate this exciting new chapter, we invite all members to join us at our Annual Kick-Off Event! This is a fantastic opportunity to connect and with industry professionals and expand your network.
REGISTER BELOW
EOY Party
Come celebrate NCMA San Diego's program year-end! Network with colleagues and enjoy a night out in a fun, relaxed environment.
Register at the link below:
NCMA SD Beach Cleanup
NCMASD Beach Cleanup (via Surfrider.org)
Description
Prevent litter from traveling into the Pacific Ocean. In addition to cleaning the beach, Surfrider.org collects data that can be used to influence laws that reduce pollution at the source.
Location
Moonlight State Beach
400 B Street
Encinitas, CA 92024
Date
Saturday, 15 APRIL 2023
Time:
9:00am – 11:00am PST
Registration:
NCMA San Diego has already registered as a group. Upon arrival, look for the large blue Surfrider tent. Check in is near the Volleyball Court north of the restrooms. Surfrider.orgwill provide gloves, however volunteers are encouraged to bring their own to reduce waste.
Questions:
Planning for Effective Team Leadership in Contracting
Speaker: Tom Reid
Date: March 29, 2023
Time: 9am - 10am PST
Location: Zoom
Cost: Free
Description: This webinar addresses what it takes to lead and, specifically, manage complex teams. We’ll identify and address what it takes to cover remote management and subcontractor team members – situations that, if not planned for, can lead to poor execution.
Register using the form below:
Cameron Holt, Maj. Gen, USAF (Ret), Presents: "Anatomy of a Renaissance: The Future of Contracting and Business Leadership”
Cameron Holt is President and Founder of Holt Consulting Group LLC. The focus of his work is to bring together the best of America—industrialists, technologists and capital investors with innovative problem solvers in Government to tilt the scales in favor of America and her allies against the adversaries of freedom.
Cameron recently completed 32 years of military service including his last four years as the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Contracting) for the Air Force and Space Force. In that capacity, he oversaw a global contracting portfolio valued in excess of $825 Billion and 8,000+ Contracting “Ninjas”, executing the full range of operational, enterprise sourcing, and major weapons systems contracting worldwide. He serves on the Board of Directors of the National Contract Management Association and as a member of the PPBE Reform Task Force sponsored by the American Society of Military Comptrollers.
As a patriot, a husband and a father of four great kids, he remains committed to leverage his extensive leadership, contracting, acquisition, requirements, and national security experience to “hack” our unnecessarily complex and antiquated Cold War-era national security resourcing and acquisition system, accelerate/optimize US combat capabilities, and make the Chinese Communist Party nervous.
REGISTER BELOW
