GovDiscovery AI Podcast with Mike Shanley
Ep. 72 – ISOA Annual Summit Preview
Date: December 12, 2025
Host: Mike Shanley
Guest: Howie Lind, President & Executive Director, ISOA (International Stability Operations Association)
Episode Overview
In this special episode, Mike Shanley sits down with Howie Lind, President and Executive Director of ISOA, to preview the upcoming ISOA Annual Summit and unpack crucial trends impacting defense, stability operations, and international contracting in 2025. The conversation delivers key insights for current and prospective ISOA members and all stakeholders in global government contracting, covering new opportunities, regulatory shifts, the value of human networks, and the increasingly central role of technology and AI.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Major Developments in 2025 Impacting ISOA Members
- Geopolitical Shifts: 2025 brought significant change, including evolving conflict landscapes in Europe (Ukraine), the Middle East, and an increasingly important Indo-Pacific region.
- Contracting Changes:
- Notable regulatory updates with ongoing FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) revisions.
- Shift from large, long-term contracts (IDIQs) toward a preference for nimble, smaller contracts.
- Companies are adjusting to a "new reality" and thriving by pivoting to meet changing requirements.
- Role of ISOA:
- Supports members by monitoring these changes, providing up-to-date guidance, and advocating directly with agencies.
Quote:
"Keeping track of the contracting changes this year has been a challenge for companies and we've been right at the forefront of trying to help them with that at ISOA."
— Howie Lind [01:15]
2. Acquisition Opportunities & Industry Response
- Changes in priorities from the new administration are causing companies to depend more than ever on ISOA's guidance.
- Shift from traditional USAID activities to more engagement with the US State Department and Development Finance Corporation (DFC), signaling new directions for members.
Quote:
“There’s a tamp down on [large] IDIQs…with the idea of smaller, more nimble contracts being let throughout the departments… Some companies face severe challenges, others have pivoted and are able to smartly figure out their direction to go.”
— Howie Lind [02:23]
3. ISOA’s Unique Value Proposition in the Market
- ISOA uniquely positions itself at the intersection of government and private sector, facilitating mutual mission achievement.
- Core Value Streams:
- Business Intelligence – Market and opportunity insight.
- Networking – Substantial time for relationship-building at conferences.
- Government Engagement – Direct access to decision-makers.
- Visibility – Opportunities for member promotion and brand-building.
- ISOA focuses on sectors including logistics, security, infrastructure, health services, and aviation, with 70% of members being small businesses.
Quote:
"We're our companies are… at the tip of the spear on the ground, canary in the coal mine … They really see and hear what's happening firsthand."
— Howie Lind [05:37]
4. 2026 ISOA Annual Summit – What to Expect [06:56]
- When/Where: January 12–14, 2026 at the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC.
- Speaker Lineup:
- Dale Marks (Pentagon, Undersecretary for Acquisition & Sustainment)
- U.S. Representatives Joe Wilson (SC) & Rich McCormick (GA)
- John Tenaglia (Defense Procurement Contracting Policy Lead)
- Numerous senior government and contractor speakers
- Special Highlight:
- “Washington Post Intelligence Council” Panel: “Silicon Valley Comes to DC” with a focus on the defense tech revolution and artificial intelligence.
- Networking Opportunities:
- Attendees, especially newcomers, are encouraged to prepare for business matchmaking sessions, bring business cards, and have clear, focused elevator pitches.
Advice for First-Time Attendees:
"Be ready to engage in person… There's a lot of networking time. Bring business cards… We have a business matchmaking session… like speed dating… Make sure you’ve got a 30-second run on what you do."
— Howie Lind [10:20]
- Sponsorship:
- Major sponsors include Fluor, KBR, AECOM, Parsons, and others. Both large and small companies are encouraged to explore sponsorships for promotion and increased visibility.
5. ISOA’s Global Event Footprint in 2026 [14:04]
- Amman, Jordan (February): Middle East Conference, rotating locations annually.
- Washington, DC (March): Ukraine Industry Day, with prior successful events in Warsaw, Bucharest, and Germany.
- Wiesbaden, Germany (April): Defense spending surges, new opportunities as European defense budgets hit all-time highs.
- Miami, FL (May): Americas Conference, focused on border, South and Central America.
- Hawaii (September): Indo-Pacific Conference, including tabletop exercises on regional scenarios.
- Annual Summit (November): Culminates the year; numerous smaller events and webinars interspersed.
Quote:
"With all these countries... committed to increasing their ministries of defense spending budgets up to 5% of GDP, which is huge. It’s unprecedented."
— Howie Lind [15:48]
6. Best Practices: Engaging Government at ISOA Events [17:52]
- Why Government Participates:
- Regulatory directive (FAR) compels government to interface with the private sector.
- Opportunity to communicate priorities and upcoming requirements.
- Effective Attendee Engagement:
- Target staffers for networking, not just headline speakers.
- Senior officials often bring key staff who stay for sessions, especially at overseas events.
- Dedicated “president’s/chairman’s dinners” and smaller group settings foster deeper connections.
Pro Tip:
“Our strategy…when we have a senior official come…is to request that they bring their staff with them…the staff stays for the matchmaking, for the networking. Our companies love it, and the government loves it too.”
— Howie Lind [19:21]
7. The Value of In-Person Networking & Human Relationships [23:39]
- Even in an era of extensive data and AI-driven analysis, personal connections and human intelligence remain indispensable differentiators for business development and government contracting.
- ISOA membership gives companies direct lines for personal introductions to key government or industry contacts.
Quote:
"We're still people, we're not robots, right? It's showing up in person, talking to smart people about what's happening in government…that's critical."
— Howie Lind [23:41]
8. Signals for 2026: What to Watch [24:41]
- Key Areas:
- Energy – Emerging as a focal area for acquisition and mission discussions.
- Technology/AI – Companies must integrate innovation and AI into their value propositions.
- DFC expanding activities, especially in underrepresented geographies like Africa.
- Advice to Firms:
- Monitor new memos from DoD leadership.
- Keep up with procurement shifts and align solutions to government language: "safer, stronger, more prosperous, more effective, more efficient." [26:39]
9. Awards and Recognition [21:22]
- The ISOA Annual Summit will feature an integrated awards ceremony, merging previous stand-alone awards events with the main conference.
- Three Lifetime Achievement Awards.
- Nine company-category awards.
10. How to Engage with ISOA
- Website: stability-operations.org
- Key Contacts:
- Howie Lind: howielind@stability-operations.org
- Roxanne Kaufman (Senior VP): roxannekaufman@stability-operations.org
- Ginny Maycock (Communications): gmaycock@stability-operations.org
- Strong LinkedIn & social media presence.
- For speaking, sponsorship, and membership inquiries: Reach out via website or direct email.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On embracing change:
“Many companies... face severe challenge. Others, they pivoted and they're able to smartly figure out their direction. So there's been quite a bit of success.”
— Howie Lind [02:23] -
On the significance of ISOA:
"We stand at the intersection of government and the private sector, meaning we work to help both sides...with their missions and goals."
— Howie Lind [04:58] -
On the necessity of in-person engagement:
"Even with all this data analysis... those relationships really then become the differentiator and especially those in person touch points."
— Mike Shanley [23:22] -
On preparing for the Summit:
"Make sure you got a 30-second run on what you do. That's what the... government officials want to hear. What is it that you sell?... Nobody does everything."
— Howie Lind [10:27]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- [01:15] ISOA’s 2025 market summary and global shifts.
- [02:23] Impacts of acquisition process changes.
- [04:58] ISOA differentiation and value streams.
- [06:56] Preview of 2026 Annual Summit: speakers, agenda, and the “Washington Post Intelligence Council” panel.
- [10:20] How companies should prepare for the Summit.
- [14:04] 2026 overseas events and regional focus.
- [17:52] Government’s interest and advice for engaging officials at events.
- [19:21] How government staff interaction enhances value.
- [21:22] Awards program at the Summit.
- [23:39] The irreplaceable value of human relationships in government business.
- [24:41] Key market signals and priorities for 2026.
- [26:39] Aligning solutions with government mission language.
- [29:27] How to connect with ISOA and involved leadership.
Final Takeaways
- ISOA is a vital bridge for companies navigating defense and international contracting, offering unparalleled networking, insight, and government engagement.
- The ISOA Summit and global events provide access and relationship-building critical to business development, particularly as federal acquisition and mission priorities evolve.
- To maximize the value of engagement, companies should prepare focused offerings, prioritize personal connections, and stay attuned to both policy signals and human intelligence.
- For more information, engage directly via the ISOA website, email, or LinkedIn.
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This summary aims to provide actionable insight for listeners and potential attendees or partners, highlighting both content and context essential for success in the evolving global defense market.