DSET 2020 Preview

Now in its fifth year, the DSET Conference and Workshop will be held 9-11 March in Bristol, UK. MS&T Editor Andy Fawkes spoke to its organisers Tess Butler and Sadie Lockett about its origins and what to expect at DSET 2020.

Growth

DSET (Defence Simulation Education and Training) was firstheld in 2016 to facilitate national and international military to militaryengagement and to inform industry of the challenges and opportunities aheadfrom a customer perspective. The agenda continues to be set by a military paneland speakers are invited and typically from the military or government.Although DSET has grown year on year to 400 participants from 100 in 2016 witha consistent balance of 60% military/government and 40% industry, Butlerexplained “we want quality rather than just quantity. It has to be valuable toeverybody that attends. The military and government get something for their dayjob out of it and industry get a direct ROI”. As in 2019, prior to the two-dayconference and exhibition there will be a workshop and as we will hear, DSETsupports other initiatives throughout the year.

Innovation,Disruption and Diversity

Butler explained that the themes for 2020 were “innovation,disruption and diversity” which reflect the ambition of the British Army'sChief of the Field Army and are consistent messages that she receives from theDSET Military Advisory Panel (MAP). Understanding what the military customerwants is paramount to DSET with a “panel that runs throughout the year, whichis online and that anyone can access through the website” Butler explained.They also engage directly with the military through a variety of differentmeans, for example industry days for their programmes and through NATO.

The conference programme naturally reflects the themes,including sessions on Future Force Training, Innovation and the latestdevelopments on military training system programmes. A wargaming session willalso be included, chaired by Dr. Jill Sargeant Russell from the US Army WarCollege, who has a background in wargaming with both the military and theMetropolitan Police.

Recognizing the importance of nurturing and supporting theS&T community, a one day workshop will be held prior to the conferencewhere attendees can learn the basics of S&T from the UK Defence Academy andhear the latest developments from SISO, NATO’s M&S Centre of Excellence andthe UK’s defence innovation incubator DASA. The exhibition itself will includedemonstrations of some of the latest technologies and training systems from thesimulation and gaming worlds.

The Venue

Perhaps reflecting the DSET organiser’s desire to take anovel approach to military S&T conferences, the event will be held asprevious years in Bristol's Ashton Gate Stadium. On other days it can host upto 27,000 football fans but areas behind the stands are reconfigured to supportthe conference area and exhibition space. Lockett explained that the venue had “spacefor growth, easy to get to and not hugely expensive”. Indeed, as in previousyears, for military and government attendees there is no charge.

DSET Intern

The DSET team also support the S&T community throughtheir sponsored intern initiative. DSET’s first intern was half-way through herone year internship with the Royal School of Artillery. Butler reported that Col David Clarke,RSA had told her “Based upon thesuccess we've had so far and the value we've had to our business, then we arelooking to sustain and develop this type of opportunity. Which gives us highlytrained people delivered quickly to the point of need.” Butler said “it showsthat we're not just another conference. We're part of the community”. It isgood news to see young women being encouraged to take on STEM-based roles andS&T ones in particular.

Read More

With its range of speakers and exhibitors DSET 2020 promises to deliver on its themes of innovation, disruption and diversity and continue to be a thought provoking, educational and enjoyable event in the S&T calendar. The DSET programme and registration details plus a list of sponsors and exhibitors can be found through the DSET website. DSET is co-located with Omega’s Future Indirect Fires and Mortar Systems Conference 10/11 March.

MS&T is the Lead Media Partner for DSET and will publish a show report in issue 2/2020.