Changes were the order at this year’s 17th annual North Alabama International Association’s Industry Day at the Von Braun Center.

This year’s event targeting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) was two days instead of the usual one, and expanded to include not only the U.S. Army but also the Navy, Air Force and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Another addition to the agenda was a panel discussion featuring Foreign Liaison Officers from Australia, Germany and Poland.

The theme was “FMS: Supporting Our National Defense Strategy.’’ The forum was held Wednesday and Thursday. The emphasis of NAITA is small business in the region.

“We’re business-driven,’’ said Cliff Crivello, a member of the NAITA board of directors and senior vice president SC/C5ISR/Missile Programs at Huntsville-based Sigmatech, Inc. “What we’re trying to do is link up and bring companies opportunities in Northern Alabama. We’re an advocate for them with our connections.

“We just sponsored the Canadian delegation. We just had the Lithuanian delegation here. So long story short, what that really means is with our connection to these countries who are interested in doing business in the Huntsville area, we can be a conduit, an advocate, an integrator for companies to do that.’’

NAITA is a nonprofit that relies on sponsors, or members.

The two-day event at the VBC’s Saturn Ballroom featured various military figures as well as Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison Mayor Paul Finley. Battle had pre-forum sessions with members of NAITA.

“We talked about things that are produced here, communities that go out throughout the world that provide for freedom throughout this world, and provide for technology that is not found in other places,’’ he said.

“And, you know, partially what we found that is so important to our city, to our state, but more important to our nation – the mission that is done out of offices right here in the city of Huntsville makes us very proud.’’

One keynote speaker was Brigadier General Allen J. Pepper, Commanding General, U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC). He told the crowd the need for international cooperation is at a crossroads.

“This event is a testament to the critical role that collaboration between government, industry, and international partners plays in supporting our national defense strategy,’’ Pepper said. “As we gather here, it’s clear that foreign military sales or FMS is more than just a transactional process. It’s a strategic tool that strengthens alliances, enhances partner capabilities, and extends the global influence of the United States. The demand for timely, transparent, and effective FMS processes has never been greater.’’

According to Pepper, the FMS program has already achieved $32.2 billion in new business following last year’s record of $42.9 billion.

“Our security assistance mission is not just a task, it’s a strategic imperative,’’ Pepper said. “It creates a positive impact, not only with our allies, but also with our industry partners. And let me emphasize this – our partnership with industry is critical to our success, and we’ve done a pretty good job, but we know we have to get even better at the process.’’

Pepper said USASAC is promoting data transparency and strengthening collaboration with defense industry partners to improve the management of Foreign Military Sales cases, while also reorganizing its headquarters to enhance efficiency.

“Our regional operations are now vertically integrated, eliminating the separation between case development in Huntsville and case execution in the other part of our headquarters, the vicinity of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania,’’ he said. “We’ve established a fusion center to improve the analysis and synthesis of FMS information, enabling a shared vision and more informed decision making.’’

Meanwhile, Battle said the city isn’t solely interested in supporting defense – Huntsville as a whole also benefits from backing the country’s security efforts.

“The sounds that we hear out of the USASAC offices and the foreign military sales offices is the ringing of a cash register, too, because it adds to the economy and it makes our economy stronger each day,’’ Battle said, drawing laughter. “It adds to employment, it adds to the GDP and it makes our community just one of those communities that is responding to world problems.’’