The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is excited to showcase the working agenda for the APEX 2026 Cognitive Security Education Conference, taking place September 8-9, 2026, at the Carahsoft Conference & Collaboration Center in Reston, Virginia. Over two days, attendees will engage with distinguished military leaders, government officials, academic researchers, and industry experts as they explore the evolving challenges and opportunities within cognitive security, operations in the information environment, strategic communication, and emerging technologies.
The conference will feature keynote presentations, expert panels, student and professional research presentations, collaborative workshops, and dedicated networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful discussion and professional collaboration. Whether you are a student, researcher, practitioner, government professional, or industry leader, APEX 2026 offers a unique opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of cognitive security education and practice.
Please share this opportunity with members of your professional circle who would like to attend APEX. We look forward to welcoming you at APEX this September.
Registration is now open. We encourage you to reserve your seat early by completing the RSVP at: https://information-professionals.org/event/apex-2026-educational-forum/
Contact apex@information-professionals.org if you have any questions.
APEX Educational Forum Working Agenda:
Day 1
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast
9:00 AM – 09:30 AM: Opening Remarks
- Dave Acosta, IPA Board Member
- Dave Pitts, IPA President
- Video introduction by Dr. Glenn Boyce, Chancellor, University of Mississippi (Confirmed)
09:25 AM – 10:30 AM: Paper Presentations: Undergraduate/Graduate Category.
Moderated by Dr. Yan Bennett (Confirmed)
10:30 AM – 10:50 PM: Coffee & Networking Break
10:50 AM – 12:00 PM: Panel 1: Future of Cognitive Warfare & Security
- Bonnie Rushing University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (Confirmed)
- Mr. Matthew Canham, Cognitive Security Institute (Invited)
- Dr. Martin Libicki (Invited)
- Moderated by Lt Gen (ret) Robert Schmidle (Confirmed)
12:00 PM – 1:15 PM: Lunch Break & Networking
1:20 PM – 2:20 PM: Paper Presentations: Open Category. Moderated by Dr. Aleksandra Nasic (Confirmed)
2:20 PM – 2:40 PM: Break
2:40 PM – 3:50 PM: Panel 2: Synthetic Training Environment & Wargaming
- Mr. Joseph Kelly, University of Maryland, ARLIS (Confirmed)
- Mr. Mike Posey, Army War College (Invited)
- Mr. Jim McNeive, Marine Corps IO Center (Invited)
- Ms. Melissa Graves (Invited)
- Moderated by BG (ret) Terri Borras (Confirmed)
3:50 PM – 4:10 PM: Break
4:10 PM – 4:45 PM: Guest Speaker: Gen (ret) Frank McKenzie, President of The Citadel by video (Invited)
4:45 PM – 5:15 PM: Announcement of award winners (for papers), daily wrap-up & closing remarks
5:15 PM – 6:30 PM: Networking Reception
Day 2
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Registration & Breakfast
09:00 AM – 09:45 AM: Guest Speaker: Mr. Vic Minella, former Deputy Undersecretary of the Navy for Intelligence & Security, (confirmed). Introduction by Mr. Aaron Moyer, National Intelligence College.
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Workshop 1: Education Tasks in support of the Strategy for OIE and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Special Area of Emphasis for IO/OIE (Mr. Tom Evans) (breaks will be determined within the workshop)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Workshop 2: Drafting a Cognitive Security Certification Framework (breaks will be determined within the workshop)
12:00 PM – 1:20 PM: Lunch Break & Networking
1:20 PM – 2:30 PM: Workshop Wrap-ups
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM: Break
2:50 PM – 4:00 PM: Panel 3: Building Foundations with Collective Education
- Dr. Andrea Hickerson, Center for Information Advantage and Effectiveness, Ole
Miss (Confirmed) - Mr. Patrick Warren, Clemson University Media Forensics Hub (Invited)
- Dr. Sean Everton (invited via video teleconference)
- Moderated by Mr. Joe Kelly (Confirmed)
4:10 PM – 4:45 PM: Conference wrap-up, Pinnacle 2027 announcement and Adjourn
4:45 PM – 6:30 PM: Networking Reception