Exhibition Zone Definitions

Accelerator Alley

Location: Westin Tampa Waterside

Definition:

This zone is designed for innovative small businesses that are new to the SOF market and developing cutting-edge capabilities aligned with SOF AT&L priority areas. Accelerator Alley provides a platform for these organizations to connect with SOF leaders and decision-makers, fostering the advancement of critical Special Operations priorities. This hall is limited to tabletop spaces.


Education Zone – NEW FOR 2026!

Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street – Level 2

Definition:

Step into the Education Zone —a premier showcase where colleges, universities, and training organizations spotlight cutting-edge programs and research shaping the future of Special Operations Forces. By exhibiting here, your institution will stand out as a trusted partner preparing elite professionals, cultivating leadership skills, and advancing the education pipeline that powers tomorrow’s Special Operations mission.


Human Performance and Wellness (HPW) Pavilion

Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street – Level 2

Definition:

This zone includes any organization that supports elite human performance, wellness, or health space, including the physical, psychological, cognitive, spiritual, and social domains. 


Information Systems

Location: Tampa Convention Center – Lower Level

Definition: 

This zone includes any organizations with capabilities or technologies that support or enable end-to-end seamless global communication and connectivity for data-driven decisions across controlled unclassified, classified secret, top secret, or special access networks, ranging from tactical dismounted to garrison operations.​ It should also include any organization providing sensors, C2, emplacement, recovery, and tactical communication systems across all domains to enable total situational awareness for the SOF Warfighter.​


Maritime

Location: Tampa Convention Center – Lower Level

Definition:

This zone includes any organization with capabilities or technologies that provide SOF-unique maritime mobility or support capabilities to operators conducting decisive SOF activities and global operations.


Outdoor Exhibit Space 

Location: Tampa Convention Center

Definition: 

Located directly outside the Tampa Convention Center, the Outdoor Exhibit Space offers companies the opportunity to showcase large equipment, vehicles, and interactive displays in a high-visibility setting. This area provides unique flexibility for demonstrations and oversized assets that are best suited for outside viewing.


Small Business Pavilion

Location: Tampa Convention Center – Lower Level

Definition:

Small businesses at SOF Week are defined as those with under 250 employees. Those who meet this qualification may be selected for the opportunity to exhibit in the Small Business Pavilion. This pavilion is limited to 6 x 8 foot tabletop spaces.


SOF Digital Applications

Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

Definition: 

This zone includes any organization with capabilities or technologies that deliver innovative, relevant and dependable Special Operations-peculiar software and data capabilities for the SOF warfighter to achieve information dominance and win in a complex environment.


SOF Services and SOF Support Activity

Location: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street

Definition: 

This zone includes any organization that enables the SOF community to utilize innovative and strategic processes to ensure rapid, focused, and cost-effective service acquisition or that enables global SOF operations through dedicated life cycle sustainment.​


SOF Warrior

Location: Tampa Convention Center – Upper Level

Definition:

This zone includes any organizations with capabilities or technologies that support the following areas:

  • Ground Mobility
  • Operator Target Acquisition & Visual Augmentation Systems
  • Operator Weapon Systems & Accessories
  • Operator Ammunition/Demolition/Loitering Munitions
  • Operator Equipment, Protection, and Survival
  • Operator First Aid Kits, Medic Kits, and Casualty Evacuation

SOF Week Outpost

Location: Peter O. Knight Airport

Definition: 

The SOF Week Outpost provides a unique opportunity for companies to showcase their advanced capabilities and cutting-edge technologies in a live, operationally relevant environment. Live Demonstration opportunities examples are technologies such as:
• Advanced UAS for ISR and C-UAS operations
• Next-gen tactical communications
• EW systems for drone disruption
• Multi-layered defense systems
• AI/ML-enhanced mission capabilities


Space Capability Zone – NEW FOR 2026!

Location: Westin Tampa Waterside

Definition:

This zone will highlight Space capabilities designed to counter adversaries and support elite SOF missions. It’s the ideal location to showcase your space-based tools that help special operators maintain their operational and tactical advantage to include but not limited to persistent communication in denied environments, advanced GPS and navigation systems, real-time geospatial intelligence platforms, loitering payloads for earth re-entry, alternative re-entry systems, rapid satellite build and deployment, alternative launch systems, and alternative sensing platforms. Special operations forces have always been at the forefront of developing, testing, deploying, and employing new and innovative ideas and developments in space will be no different. Special operations forces require enhanced integration of space assets into their current and future missions and welcome all companies in the space sector to join in this exciting new addition to SOF Week.


Special Air Warfare

Location: Tampa Convention Center – Upper Level

Definition: 

This zone includes any organization with Special Operations-peculiar Fixed Wing or Rotary Wing capabilities or enabling technologies, including mission equipment and training systems.