ACG’s Aerospace & Defense Forum Draws 260 Industry Leaders to Los Angeles

CHICAGO — Dec. 5, 2025 — The Association for Corporate Growth’s (ACG) Aerospace & Defense Middle Market Leadership Forum continued its rapid ascent this year, drawing 260 senior-level attendees and solidifying its evolution from a local Los Angeles gathering into a premier national event for middle-market dealmakers, corporate leaders, and strategic advisors. This level of attendance was a 60% increase over 2024’s event.

Originally launched as a regional forum, the event has grown significantly in both reach and influence. The 2025 program attracted participants from 26 states/provinces across the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the increasing demand for a dedicated venue where A&D executives can connect directly with decision-makers and source investment opportunities.

“This year’s turnout sends a strong message: The middle-market A&D ecosystem is thriving, and leaders want a forum that matches its pace and complexity. We’re seeing unprecedented collaboration across technologies, geographies, and capital sources. It’s exciting to watch this event become the place where the industry’s future takes shape,” said Rose Sorensen, partner at Snell & Wilmer.

Across two days, participants engaged in 700 scheduled one-on-one meetings powered by the ACG Access platform—demonstrating the community’s keen focus on actionable deal flow and strategic partnerships. Attendees also fostered new connections during roundtable discussions exploring themes such as artificial intelligence, supply chain resiliency, and talent retention strategies.

The Forum also showcased a compelling lineup of industry thought leaders. Attendees gained valuable perspectives through a keynote address from Michael Richter, senior managing director at Guggenheim Securities, as well as a joint presentation delivered by Max Asterlin of Fairmont Consulting Group and Angus Littlejohn of Littlejohn Capital. A robust series of panel discussions further enriched the program, offering timely insights into defense sector dealmaking, emerging opportunities in the space domain, and the evolving role of veterans in the middle market. The agenda also featured a panel of leading A&D investment bankers who provided an in-depth outlook on market dynamics and the forces shaping future transactions.

“The insights from our speakers and panelists are incredibly valuable—they gave everyone here a clearer view of the aerospace and defense landscape and the tools to stay competitive in today’s market,” says Josh Donnelly, managing partner at Stone Canyon Advisors. 

Attendees value the A&D Forum for access to senior decision-makers, the ability to source and accelerate deal flow, and high-quality thought leadership tailored to the middle-market A&D ecosystem. The Forum was supported by nine sponsoring firms.

“ACG is committed to helping our members make new connections, including through industry-focused forums like this one,” said ACG CEO Brent Baxter. “We’re grateful to our sponsors for their generous support in creating a space for middle-market dealmakers and executives active in the aerospace and defense sector to meet every year.”

With continued growth in attendance and its new national scale, the A&D Middle Market Leadership Forum is poised to remain a must-attend gathering for executives shaping the future of aerospace and defense. The event will return in 2026. ACG will announce the dates and location in early 2026. 

View full event photo gallery here. 

Media Contact:
Katie Maloney
VP, Communications & Content
kmaloney@acg.org