R 182051Z AUG 09 

SUBJ: INNOVATION EXPOSITION 2009
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 301751Z JAN 09/ALCOAST 066/09 B.
COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 211206Z MAY 09/ALCOAST 308/09 1. THIS
ALCOAST ANNOUNCES THE NINTH ANNUAL COAST GUARD INNOVATION
EXPOSITION (EXPO 2009) TO BE HELD AT THE VIRGINIA BEACH CONVENTION
CENTER, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA FROM 17-19 NOV 2009.  EXPO 2009 IS
SPONSORED BY THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL AND IS BEING
COORDINATED BY THE NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION (NDIA).
ALL MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND
EXPO 2009.
2. THE THEME FOR EXPO 2009 IS INNOVATION INSIDE - OPPORTUNITIES
AMIDST CHANGE. BUILDING A NEW COAST GUARD IS NOT LIMITED TO
MODERNIZING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.  WE MUST CONTINUE TO
FOSTER A CULTURE OF INNOVATION WHICH ENABLES GUARDIANS EVERYWHERE
TO FOCUS INNOVATION ON MISSION EXECUTION AND SUPPORT. THE EXPO
PROVIDES A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR COAST GUARD INNOVATORS TO
SHOWCASE THEIR INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATE WITH OTHERS ACROSS
GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA TO RESOLVE ORGANIZATIONAL
CHALLENGES.
3. PER REFS A AND B, RECIPIENTS OF THE INAUGURAL ALEXANDER HAMILTON
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE AND THE 2009 NIELS P. THOMSEN INNOVATION
AWARDS WILL BE RECOGNIZED DURING THE EXPO CLOSING CEREMONY.
4. ALL COAST GUARD COMMANDS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT A
REQUEST FOR CONSIDERATION TO EXHIBIT. SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON
REQUESTING TO EXHIBIT IS AVAILABLE ON THE INNOVATION PROGRAMS
WEBSITE AT HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/INNOVATION/ AND THE NDIA WEBSITE
(HTTP://WWW.NDIA.ORG).
5. AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THE COMMANDANTS INNOVATION COUNCIL WILL
PROVIDE TONOS AND FUNDING FOR ALL APPROVED CG BOOTHS, INCLUDING
TONOS FOR TWO COAST GUARD MEMBERS/EMPLOYEES TO OPERATE THE BOOTH.
GUIDANCE FOR FUNDING IS AVAILABLE AT
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/INNOVATION/.
6. ALL NON-EXHIBITING ATTENDEES MUST REGISTER AND PAY A CONFERENCE
FEE FOR THIS EVENT.  CONFERENCE FEES INCREASE AS WE APPROACH THE
DATE OF THE EVENT, MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER EARLY AT THE
LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND ADDITIONAL
GUIDANCE ON ATTENDANCE IS AVAILABLE AT THE SITES LISTED ABOVE.
7. COMMANDING OFFICERS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO PROMOTE AND SUPPORT
THE INNOVATION PROGRAM. UNITS ARE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE TAD ORDERS AT
GOVT EXPENSE FOR PARTICIPATION IN EXPO 2009.
8. AT EXPO 2004, WE INTRODUCED AN INITIATIVE THAT ASSISTED OVER A
DOZEN COAST GUARD PROGRAMS AND GROUPS BY PROVIDING NO-COST MEETING
SPACE AND AUDIO-VISUAL ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR MEETING OR CONFERENCE.
WE WILL CONTINUE THIS INITIATIVE, NOW CALLED THE GATHERING PLACE,
AT EXPO 2009 AND WILL BROKER MEETING SPACE ON SITE AT NO COST TO
THE PARTICIPATING PROGRAM OR GROUP. SPACE IS LIMITED, SO PLEASE
MAKE YOUR REQUEST EARLY.  CONTACT MR. FRED HOOGHOUSE TO RESERVE
YOUR SPACE AT INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.
9. A LIMITED NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS AT THE GOVERNMENT PER DIEM RATE
OF 79 DOLLARS (MAX LODGING) WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE VIRGINIA BEACH
SPRINGFIELD SUITES, FAIRFIELD INN HOTEL, AND THE CAVALIER HOTEL.
ONCE THESE ROOMS ARE RESERVED WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE A ROOM AT THE
GOVERNMENT RATE.
10. EXPO 2009 POINT OF CONTACT IS MR. FRED HOOGHOUSE, WHO MAY BE
REACHED AT 202-372-4579 OR VIA E-MAIL AT INNOVATION(AT)USCG.MIL.
11. VADM DAVID PEKOSKE, VICE COMMANDANT SENDS.
12. INTERNET RELEASED AUTHORIZED.