Defending America/SpaceComm was founded in 1998 as a forum for government and industry to exchange information, technical advancements, and increase cooperation in supporting military preparedness in the C4ISR domains. The first symposium was held January 26-28, 1999 at the Sheraton Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. That event was attended by some 350 and has grown to over 1200 attendees and exhibitors.  Defending America/SpaceComm was the premier C4ISR symposium of its kind in the nation. This is the 12th year the Rocky Mountain Chapter, AFCEA has conductedthe symposium of this kind and magnitude and the 8th year the event has been held at the Broadmoor Hotel. The symposium staff is extremely excited about the 12 -14 January, 2010 program. 

The top communicators from all Services, numerous Agencies, and Commands have presented their top priorities and strategic vision. Each year the event focused on relevant space, homeland security and defense C4ISR topics.  The exhibit hall has been supported by hundreds of highly valued industry partners who have brought in first-class exhibits over the years. They understood it was a prime opportunity to network with integrated architecture developers, the DoD, other federal agencies and industry colleagues.

A highlight of Defending America/SpaceComm has been the annual presentation of the North American Information Technology Leadership Award to an international leader in the IT community. The first recipient and co-sponsor of the event was Lt Gen (Ret) Harry D. Raduege, Jr. Since then VADM Mike McConnell (USN, Ret), former Director NIA; LtGen Robert Shea (USMC, Ret), JCS/J6, LTG Stephen Boutelle (USA, Ret), Army/G6, and the Honorable Dale Meyerrose, (USAF, Ret), Associate Director of National Intelligence and Chief Information Officer have received the award. 2009's recipient, Lt Gen Charles Croom (USAF, Ret),  Director, Defense Information Systems Agency, and Commander, Joint Task Force - Global Network Operations was presented his award at the 11th Anniversary Defending America/SpaceComm Honor's Luncheon at the Broadmoor Hotel on Wednesday, 28 January 2009.  The award presentation tradition continues in 2010, at the Honors Luncheon on Wednesday, 13 January.