Defense Department event returning to Stafford Regional Airport in 2009

Date published: 3/8/2008

BY PAMELA GOULD

Stafford Regional Airport has been chosen to host next year's Force Protection Equipment Demonstration, a Defense Department event that brought millions of dollars into the Fredericksburg region its first time here.

Bob Carter, assistant economic development director, said the county is excited to have the event returning to the airport. He also said he expects the number of vendors to increase from the nearly 600 who came in August 2007.

Stafford officials projected that the 8,300 people who attended last year's event spent nearly $3 million at the region's hotels, restaurants and retail operations.

FPED, as it is known, runs three days, but with setup and tear-down of displays, vendors are in the region as much as 11 days.

Next year, Stafford will have three additional hotels to accommodate visitors, Carter said.

FPED is held every two years. Previously, it was held on Quantico Marine Corps Base. FPED VII is scheduled for May 19-21, 2009.

The Defense Department initiated the event following the 1996 bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia.

Vendors from around the world bring the latest equipment and technology for protecting military and law enforcement personnel, in hopes of gaining government customers.

Pamela Gould: 540/735-1972
Email: pgould@freelancestar.com

Date published: 3/8/2008