Held during SOF Week and in recognition of the approaching 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Enduring Readiness Forum brings together members of the special operations community, defense leaders, human performance experts, industry partners, and veteran innovators for a time of professional reflection and recommitment during an era of ongoing conflict and strategic competition.
Hosted at the Tampa Bay History Center, a premier waterfront cultural venue located just minutes walk from the Tampa Convention Center and adjacent to Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the gathering takes place in the center of SOF Week activity along the walkable corridor leading toward Sparkman Wharf and surrounding dining districts. The setting provides exceptional accessibility and natural opportunities for continued engagement before and after the event.
The evening begins with a hosted reception featuring light food and refreshments in the venue’s striking glass atrium and gallery spaces, offering sweeping views of Tampa Bay and the downtown skyline. This social hour is designed to foster meaningful connection among operators, leaders, sponsors, and partners prior to the featured private viewing of The Campfire, an action adventure documentary directed by a U.S. Army Green Beret. The film follows the authentic journeys of eight currently serving and recently retired members of the military, police, and fire service, together with the families who stood beside them. Among them is one of the last members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) to escape the World Trade Center towers on 9/11, who continues to serve on duty today. This invitation only screening is conducted as part of a professional leadership forum and is not open to the general public.
A moderated panel discussion and guided time of reflection will follow, exploring practical insights related to holistic fitness, spiritual readiness, force sustainment, and leadership continuity across the arc of service. Dessert and continued dialogue provide an opportunity for deeper professional exchange as participants strengthen relationships that support enduring readiness and elite team performance.