San Diego Military Summit

Connecting San Diego's Military Community

The San Diego Military Summit connects service members, veterans, military families, employers, educators and community organizations to opportunity, resources and support.

The San Diego Military Summit is produced by the San Diego Business Chamber and the San Diego Business Chamber Foundation.

2026 Event Information & Registration →

Explore Our History

2026

6th Annual

San Diego
Military Summit

October 23, 2026

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Military

Employers

Education

Resources

View 2026 Summit →

About the Summit

Where San Diego's Military and Business Communities Connect

The San Diego Military Summit was created to strengthen connections between San Diego's military community and the employers, organizations, educational institutions and resources available to support them.

The Summit provides a central gathering place where transitioning service members, veterans, active-duty personnel and military families can connect directly with organizations offering employment, education, career development, entrepreneurship, family support and community resources.

At the same time, the Summit helps employers better understand the experience, leadership and skills military-connected professionals bring to the civilian workforce while creating meaningful opportunities to recruit, hire and support military-connected talent.

Who We Bring Together

Transitioning service members
Veterans
Active-duty personnel
Military spouses and families
Employers and talent acquisition professionals
Colleges, universities and workforce programs
Nonprofit and community organizations
Military and veteran support organizations
Business and community leaders

Our Audience

A Highly Military-Connected Community

The Summit brings together military talent with the employers, educators and organizations that can connect them to meaningful opportunities.

2025 Attendee Demographics

Veterans
35%

Employers & Military Supporters
32%

Active Duty
18%

Military Family Members
15%

Military Branch Representation

Navy
54%

Marine Corps
31%

Army
9%

Air Force
5%

Coast Guard & Other
1%

Connecting Talent & Opportunity

More Than an Event. A Talent Pipeline.

The Summit creates meaningful opportunities for experienced military talent to connect directly with organizations seeking skilled employees.

120+

Active Job Seekers in 2025

40+

Employers Actively Hiring in 2025

51%

Direct Military Talent Pipeline

20
Median Years of Service

Experienced Professionals

Among attendees who reported their military service history in 2024 and 2025, the median length of service was approximately 20 years — bringing substantial leadership, operational and professional experience into the civilian workforce.

At the Summit

Connections That Continue Beyond One Day

The San Diego Military Summit is designed to provide practical information, resources and connections attendees can use immediately.

Employment & Careers

Connect military experience and transferable skills with employers seeking talented professionals.

Transition Resources

Connect service members preparing for civilian careers with information, organizations and opportunities.

Military Family Support

Discover resources and opportunities designed for military spouses, caregivers and families.

Education & Workforce

Explore higher education, credentials, apprenticeships, workforce training and professional development.

Employer Enablement

Help employers recruit, hire, onboard, support and retain military-connected talent.

Community Resources

Connect with nonprofit organizations, agencies and service providers supporting San Diego's military community.

Our History

Growing Since 2021

What began as a new way to connect San Diego's military and business communities has grown into an annual Southern California gathering connecting military talent, employers and resources.

2021

The Inaugural Summit

The San Diego Military Summit launched as a dedicated gathering connecting military-connected individuals with employers and community resources.

2022

Building the Network

The Summit continued building relationships among service members, veterans, employers, educators and support organizations.

2023

Expanding Opportunities

Programming continued to expand around employment, transition, education, professional development and military family support.

2024

Accelerating Growth

Attendance increased by more than 50% over 2023 as the Summit expanded its reach across the military and employer communities.

2025

Our Largest Summit Yet

Attendance grew another 23% over 2024 and was approximately 86% higher than 2023, with more than 200 organizations and affiliations represented.

2026

The 6th Annual San Diego Military Summit

October 23, 2026

The next chapter continues with expanded opportunities for transitioning service members, veterans, active-duty personnel, military families, employers, educators and resource providers.

Join Us in 2026 →

Past Speakers

Leadership, Experience & Perspective

Past San Diego Military Summits have welcomed distinguished military leaders, veterans, public officials, business executives and workforce experts who have shared their experience, insight and leadership with San Diego's military-connected community.

Ronald L. Green

18th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Bruce Mosler

Chairman of Global Brokerage & the Veterans Initiative Program

Cushman & Wakefield

James D. Rodriguez

Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)

U.S. Department of Labor

Todd Gloria

Mayor of San Diego

Brett Crozier

Captain, Retired

United States Navy

Dakota Meyer

Sergeant, United States Marine Corps

Medal of Honor Recipient

Lt. General Ronald Bailey

Retired, United States Marine Corps

Senior Vice President, Industry Development

National Electrical Contractors Association

Phil Blair

Executive Officer/Owner

Manpower San Diego, Riverside, Las Vegas and New Mexico

Speaker titles reflect the roles associated with their Summit appearances.

Through the Years

San Diego Military Summit Photo Gallery

Explore moments of connection, learning and opportunity from past San Diego Military Summits.

« ‹ of 16 › »

View Full Photo Archive →

Beyond the Summit

Operation Connect San Diego

The San Diego Military Summit is part of a broader effort to connect San Diego's military community with opportunity and support through Operation Connect San Diego, a program of the San Diego Business Chamber Foundation.

Operation Connect builds stronger relationships among military-connected individuals, employers, educational institutions, resource organizations and the broader business community.

Learn About Operation Connect →

Get Involved

Help Connect San Diego's Military Community to Opportunity

Employers, educational institutions and community organizations play an important role in creating opportunities and strengthening the resources available to military-connected individuals and families.

Through partnership with the San Diego Military Summit, organizations can connect directly with military-connected talent, share resources and services, and demonstrate their commitment to San Diego's military community.

Explore Partnership Opportunities →

Attend the 2026 Summit →