Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, closed the 2015 Navy League Sea-Air-Space Exposition during a luncheon held at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Convention Center April 15.

Mabus spoke on many aspects including innovation and making changes in how the Navy operates.

"For 50 years the Navy League, through Sea-Air-Space, has showcased new concepts and technologies aimed at enhancing our platforms, our systems, our warfighting," said Mabus. "These ideas and many more have made the United States Navy and Marine Corps what they are today: the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known."

Mabus took time to acknowledge the Sailors and Marines that make up the Department of the Navy.

"We uniquely provide presence around the globe and around the clock ensuring stability, deterring adversaries, providing the nation's leaders with options in times of crisis," Mabus said. "The Navy/Marine Corps are America's away team because of the ability of Sailors and Marines, equally in times of peace and war, not only to be in the right place at the right time, but to be in the right place all the time."
The symposium consisted of seminars and demonstrations of the newest maritime technology and over 200 exhibitors were on hand to display their products to Navy leadership.

Throughout the three-day event Navy leadership and industry leaders spoke about current and future Navy vessels, the future of Navy capabilities, the importance of working closely with our partners and allies and the budget and fiscal restraints on the military. More than 11,500 attendees had the opportunity to browse booths from industry leaders and naval commands.

"During the past half-century, our maritime services and the international community have benefitted from the opportunities provided by the Sea-Air-Space Exposition," said Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert. "By bringing together industry professionals with operators, the Sea-Air-Space has afforded us the opportunity to remain at the cutting-edge in technological advances which prove vital to protecting our interests around the world."

Greenert added, "Together, we can more fully meet the challenges and threats our nation and world partner's face - we can all contribute in some way to the solutions and successes of our sea services."

Rich Neuman, sales manager from Superior Motion Control, said he has been coming to the expo for seven years and it's nice to meet other people like himself and to meet with customers and those who could be potential customers.

"It's really good to meet other people and find out what they're doing and what I can do to support the warfighter," said Neuman. "It's good networking and little by little you get to find more things out."
Events on the closing day included a luncheon with Mabus, a panel on Budget and Readiness and a roundtable discussion on future maritime weapons focusing on energy weapons.

"We are grateful for the efforts of the Navy League in making this exposition such a valuable venue for industry and the sea services," said Greenert.

Next year's Navy League Sea-Air-Space expo will be held May 16-18 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.

For more information on Navy League's Sea-Air-Space Exposition visit www.SeaAirSpace.org.