FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Amy Gorman
TIDES Program Coordinator
National Defense University
amy.gorman.ctr@ndu.edu
202-685-2117
(Washington DC) For the 7th year, the National Defense University (NDU) is showcasing a variety of
innovative technologies for disaster assistance and development. From 1-4 October, more than 70
nonprofit organizations, citizen associations, and specialized vendors, using no water, power, or shelter,
will showcase their most inventive ideas and tools to help people in the aftermath of a natural disaster,
conflict, or for those who live in extreme poverty. The demonstration will continue at the Pentagon in
Center Court from 7-9 October where more than 20 civilian groups and businesses will be present.
The exposition, held outdoors at Fort McNair in Southwest Washington, DC, is an offshoot of the TIDES
(Transformative Innovation for Development and Emergency Support) research project at the National
Defense University. TIDES focuses on cross-cutting emerging technologies and sustainable solutions to
support a variety of DOD missions. More than just static exhibits, different inventors and field operators
will exchange insights and experiences, promoting public-private cooperation through speakers,
workshops, and other interactions. You can register for the event online at:
http://tidesdemo13.eventbrite.com/. The event will take place regardless of weather conditions, and due
to the support of volunteers, it will remain open in the event of a government shutdown.
Speakers will discuss a number of cross-cutting issues, including logistics, soft power, info-sharing, and
community-based solutions. Notable presenters include Hon. Dennis McGinn, Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment and Mr. Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, Center of
Innovation: Science, Technology and Peacebuilding at United State Institute of Peace.
Throughout the demonstration there will be discussion groups open to the public that will address
pertinent issues centered around this year’s theme: “Innovate | Improve | Imagine: Operational Support
for Stressed Environments.” Some specific topics will be building integrated partnership capacity in
austere environments, foreign disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance, post-war stabilization
and reconstruction, and disaster response in the US and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA).
TIDES-a DoD research project at the National Defense University, seeks to incorporate a wide range of
public-private solutions to support populations under stress; post-conflict, post-disaster and impoverished.
TIDES provides a collaborative space for relationship building and engagement among various DoD
components, US civilian government agencies, and a wide array of NGOs, private and for-profit entities,
as well as empowered individuals seeking to develop technical and policy solutions in humanitarian
assistance, disaster relief and emergency response situations. TIDES promotes and supports such work
through its base at NDU and cooperation with DoD and non-military partners in the United States and
around the world. To learn more about TIDES or questions about this event, contact Amy Gorman,
TIDES Research and Program Assistant, at 202-685-3916 or amy.gorman.ctr@ndu.edu.
NDU is the premier national security institution focused on advanced joint warfighter education, leader
development, and scholarship. The University provides rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to
members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others in order to develop leaders who have the ability to
operate and creatively think in an unpredictable and complex world. For more information about the
National Defense University, please contact: Daniel Magalotti, Acting Public Affairs Officer, at 202-685-
3140 or daniel.magalotti@ndu.edu; or visit www.ndu.edu