The Nuclear Security Summit returns this October. Hosted by Kontek Industries, this free two-day event brings nuclear security professionals, defense personnel, technology providers, and industry experts together for practical discussions, live demonstrations, hands-on training, and peer networking.

If you’re planning to attend or want to learn more about the event, here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your time at the Summit.

What Is the Nuclear Security Summit?

The Nuclear Security Summit is focused on the future of physical security within the nuclear industry. Unlike a typical trade show, it combines expert-led sessions, peer discussion, live demonstrations, and scenario-based training into one event.

Attendees will leave with practical insight into current nuclear security challenges, emerging technologies, and proven approaches for strengthening site protection.

Key Event Details:

• Dates: October 21–22, 2026 (Welcome Party on October 20)
  
  
• Cost: Free to attend (includes meals, drinks, demonstrations, and networking events)
  
  
• Host: Kontek Industries
  
  
• Who Should Attend: Nuclear security officers, security program managers, facility operators, regulators, consultants, A&E firms, and professionals involved in protecting nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure

Here's a recap of our previous summit:

Welcome Party – October 20, 2026

The Summit begins with a welcome party at 7:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte. Attendees can check in, meet other security professionals, and begin making connections before the formal program starts the following morning.

Day 1 Agenda – October 21, 2026

Day 1 will take place at Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Charlotte, NC. The program will focus on current threats, strategic security concerns, and the outside factors influencing the protection of nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure.

Day 1 Schedule:

• 8:00 a.m.: Check-in and breakfast catered by Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
  
  
• 9:30 a.m.: Opening remarks
  
  
• 10:00 a.m.: Federal Security Specialist presentation
  
  
• 11:00 a.m.: Break
  
  
• 11:15 a.m.: Current Threats to Critical Infrastructure and the U.S. Commercial Nuclear Sector, presented by Federal Law Enforcement
  
  
• 12:15 p.m.: Break
  
  
• 12:30 p.m.: Lunch catered by Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
  
  
• 1:30 p.m.: The Transnational Factor, presented by Shawn M. Basco, PhD, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps Retired
  
  
• 2:30 p.m.: Break
  
  
• 2:45 p.m.: Panel discussion
  
  
• 4:00 p.m.: Closing comments and social hour

Day 2 Security in Action – October 22, 2026

Day 2 moves to the Rowan County Wildlife Association in Salisbury, NC. Attendees will rotate through live demonstrations, scenario-based training, and technology presentations focused on detection, response, physical security, and training capabilities.

Surveillance and Intrusion Detection

The surveillance demonstration will show how radar, cameras, analytics, and other detection technologies can work together to monitor activity across a protected site.

Attendees will see:

• Live detection and tracking scenarios
  
  
• Geographic detection zones created around designated areas
  
  
• The operator interface used to monitor and assess activity
  
  
• Drone-detection capabilities
  
  
• Integrated surveillance systems compared with traditional security methods

This rotation will provide a closer look at how security personnel can detect activity, verify potential threats, and make informed response decisions.

Live-Fire Training

The live-fire range will feature Kontek training equipment in action. Demonstrations will include:

• A Modular Training Wall with weapon ports
  
  
• Shooting and range barricades
  
  
• Target systems
  
  
• Movement between firing positions
  
  
• Use of protective cover during training

Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in a guided shooting drill focused on:

• Safe movement
  
  
• Proper use of cover
  
  
• Speed
  
  
• Accuracy

IEC Infrared Systems will conduct a separate live-fire demonstration featuring a Remote Operated Weapons System (ROWS). Attendees will see how a ROWS combines advanced surveillance, detection, and assessment with a remotely operated response capability. The demonstration will show how the system can help security personnel respond to rapidly developing threats from a protected position while reducing exposure to defending forces. 

Force-on-Force Exercises

The force-on-force station will place attendees inside a guided security exercise. Participants will experience the scenario from both attacker and defender perspectives.

The exercise will demonstrate several layers of facility security:

• Surveillance of participants moving through an open area
  
  
• Detection and assessment near a simulated perimeter
  
  
• The role of security fencing in delaying entry
  
  
• The effect of delay time on security response
  
  
• Ballistic protection for onsite personnel
  
  
• Movement and defensive training inside a simulated vital area

The scenario will incorporate several Kontek security and training solutions:

• Mobile Ballistic-Rated Enclosure
  
  
• Mobile Modular Ballistic Partition
  
  
• Mobile Modular Shoot House
  
  
• Mobile Response Shield

The final phase will take place inside the Mobile Modular Shoot House. Participants will move through a simulated vital-area exercise while defenders use a Mobile Response Shield to protect the designated area.

Together, these demonstrations will show how detection, delay, response, ballistic protection, and realistic training can support a layered physical security program.

Premium Sponsors

Nuclear Security Summit 2026 is supported by industry partners helping bring technology, expertise, and hands-on experiences to this year's event.

• The Nuclear Company
• IEC Infrared Systems
• Perimeter Security Solutions

Vendor Partners

This year’s vendor lineup features leaders from across the security industry, including:

• FLIR
• Armor Express
• Busch Protective
• Blue Ridge Armor
• Magos Systems
• TAC-TOTE
• Barrier Island
• Genasys
• ARES Security
• Westinghouse
• ARX Perimeters
• Barrier 1 Systems
• Delta Scientific

Participating vendors and demonstrations may change as the Summit approaches.

Why Attend

Nuclear security professionals do not often get to discuss a security strategy one day and then see related systems used in realistic environments the next.

The Summit gives attendees the opportunity to:

• Learn from professionals with direct industry and operational experience
  
  
• Examine current threats affecting nuclear facilities and critical infrastructure
  
  
• Evaluate physical security products before making future planning decisions
  
  
• Discuss shared challenges with professionals responsible for similar facilities
  
  
• Build relationships with vendors, consultants, and industry peers

The Summit is designed to connect security planning with real-world application. Attendees can leave with practical ideas, new industry contacts, and a clearer understanding of how different technologies support a layered security program.

Need Help Getting Approval to Attend?

We’ve outlined five clear reasons why the Nuclear Security Summit is worth your time and your organization’s support. Use the flyer to make approval simple, whether you need approval from leadership, procurement, or both.

Locations & Hotel Information

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery
Day 1 of Nuclear Security Summit 2026 will be hosted at 4150 Yancey Rd, Charlotte, NC. The venue offers a spacious indoor hall for presentations, meals, and industry discussion, along with an outdoor beer garden for networking and the closing social hour.

Rowan County Wildlife Association
On Day 2, the Summit takes place at 650 Majolica Rd, Salisbury, NC. The facility includes multiple training bays and flat-range capabilities that support live-fire exercises, tactical training, and security technology demonstrations.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte
Attendees are encouraged to book accommodations at 4800 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC. The hotel is only a few minutes from the Day 1 venue and will also host the October 20 welcome party. Use the booking button below for current room availability and reservation details.

How to Register

Registration is open now and free to all attendees. Secure your spot today to guarantee access to sessions, demonstrations, meals, and networking opportunities.