DESIGNING LIFE
AFTER SERVICE
NOVEMBER 6, 2026 | VIRTUAL SUMMIT
TRANSITION ISN'T A MISSION.
THRIVING IS.
The VET Summit is the flagship gathering of The RECON Network — bringing together veterans, military spouses, leaders, and innovators for a powerful day focused on what comes after service.
Because leaving the military isn’t simply a career shift—it’s an identity shift.
At the VET Summit, we explore the deeper questions that shape life after the uniform — purpose, direction, relationships, environment, and contribution. Through powerful conversations, practical frameworks, and honest dialogue, you’ll gain clarity about what you’re building next.
Not just a job. A life.
FALL 2026 | SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
"FIGURE IT OUT"
ISN'T A PLAN...
FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES
AT EVERY STAGE OF LIFE AFTER SERVICE.
For years, transition support has focused on the immediate logistics of leaving the military — resumes, benefits, and employment programs. But those solutions only address part of the problem.
Many veterans discover that the real challenge comes later, when the structure of military life is gone and the question becomes: What now?
Who am I without the uniform?
What kind of life do I actually want to build?
Where do I belong?
The VET Summit was created to address the conversations many transition programs overlook. And throughout the day, speakers and workshops will explore how you can intentionally design a life that aligns with who you are becoming after service.
20
SESSIONS
8
HOURS
200+
ATTENDEES
2023 SPEAKERS
LILY RAY
Sr. Director, SEO & Organic Amsive Digital
PATRICK STOX
Technical SEO, & Brand Ambassador at Ahrefs
ATIBA DE SOUZA
CEO at Client Attraction Pros
CASEY MARKEE
Founder Media Wyse
BERNARD HUANG
Co-founder at Clearscope
CINDY KRUM
Chief Executive & Founder MobileMoxie
CEO AT STRATABEAT
CEO at Stratabeat
BENJ ARRIOLA
Sr. SEO Director at 85Sixty
APPLY
BELOW
Laying the Foundation for Your Success
CONNECT
Workshops Built Around You
Forget passive panels and one-way presentations. RECON's structured workshops are designed to put you in the driver's seat of your own clarity. You'll complete a private GAP analysis, work through what's actually holding you back, and leave knowing exactly where to focus your energy next — without anyone telling you what your life should look like.
LEARN
Voices Worth Listening To
You can tell a lot about an event by who shows up to speak. At RECON, we curate practitioners — people who've navigated transition themselves, who work with veterans and military families every day, and who have something real to say. Expect short, focused sessions that challenge assumptions, cut through noise, and give you something you can actually use.
CONNECT
Real Networking. Real People.
The Resource Expo and end-of-day networking hour aren't afterthoughts — they're part of the experience. Meet local and national organizations who are actually worth your time, connect with peers who get it, and build the kind of relationships that don't end when the day does. Community is one of the most underrated tools in transition. We're making space for it.
A Day Built For You.
RECON: Seattle is a guided, single-track experience. No breakout room maze. No choosing between sessions. Everyone moves through the day together — and every workshop builds on the last—with the entire goal of moving you forward.
WORKSHOP: Why You Feel Broken
Most people leave service thinking transition is a moment. It's not — it's a process. And that process often sets you up to feel like you failed before you ever had a real foundation. This session reframes everything. Struggle isn't a character flaw. It's a structural problem. And once you see it that way, everything changes.
You'll examine what you expected transition to look like — and where those expectations actually came from.
WORKSHOP: Choosing the Right Focus
The most common mistake in transition: trying to fix everything at once. This session forces a decision — on purpose. Because stability beats intensity, and focus creates the momentum that trying harder never does. You'll walk out with one primary area of focus and a clear definition of what "enough progress" actually looks like.
No more spinning. Just direction.
WORKSHOP: The RECON GAP Analysis
This is the core of the day. Using RECON's 7-Pillar Framework, you'll do a private, honest assessment of where you actually stand — what's stable, what's fragile, and what's missing entirely. No one will ask you to share it. No one will judge the results. This is just you, on paper, getting real about where the gaps are.
You'll leave this session knowing exactly what's actually broken — not what you've been told should be a priority.
WORKSHOP: The Next-Phase Map
This is where insight becomes motion, and you'll create a plan for your own path forward. Not a rigid plan. Not false urgency. A realistic, 6–12 month map that accounts for your actual life—your support, your constraints, your resources. Direction over precision. Systems over goals.
You'll leave with something in your hands — not just your head.
WORKSHOP: What the Gaps Cost You
Gaps don't stay quiet. They show up as stress, conflict, burnout, stagnation, and many other problems that seem unrelated but actually aren't. This session connects the invisible to the visible—and helps you recognize the costs you've been normalizing as just "how life is," in order to start minimizing the spend in your daily life.
You'll identify one cost you've been carrying that you didn't have a name for until now.
RESOURCE EXPO + NETWORKING
The day closes with an open networking hour and Resource Expo featuring local and national organizations vetted for relevance. No pressure, no pitch fest — just real conversations with people and programs that might actually matter to where you're headed.
CALLING ALL SPEAKERS
Each year we invite veterans, leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, and advocates who are contributing meaningful perspectives to the future of veteran transition.
We are particularly interested in speakers who can address topics connected to the RECON Network’s 7 Pillars Framework, including:
• Identity and personal transformation
• Purpose and meaningful work
• Leadership and personal development
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Education and Growth Mindset
• Community and relationships
• Health and resilience
• Financial independence, job seeking and stability
If you have insights or experiences you'd like to share, please apply for a spot on stage.
The Venue
Bell Harbor Conference Center — Seattle, WA
Set on the waterfront of Elliott Bay with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Bell Harbor is a fitting backdrop for a day built around reflection and forward motion. RECON: Seattle will take place in the heart of one of the most veteran-friendly cities in the Pacific Northwest.
THE AGENDA
Event Lineup loading...
We're finalizing an incredible lineup of speakers and sessions for the 2026 VET Summit. Check back this summer for the full agenda — you won't want to miss what we have planned.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Frequently Asked Questions
We know "free" and "actually worth your time" don't always go together. Here's what you actually need to know before you show up.
Is this event really free?
Yes. 100%. There are no ticket tiers, no upsells, and no hidden fees. The VET Summit is completely free to attend for everyong: veterans, military spouses, advocates and organizations and hiring companies. Our sponsors make that possible.
Who should attend?
Veterans and military family members at any stage of life after service — whether you separated last year or fifteen years ago, whether you're in crisis or simply ready to build something better. If you've served or loved someone who has, this day was built with you in mind.
What's the format?
The VET Summit is a multi-track, full-day experience. From keynotes to workshops, sessions, a Resource Expo, and an end-of-day networking hour—you have plenty of options on what to do and where to go. Just show up.
What should I expect to walk away with?
New perspectives, meaningful connections, and practical frameworks for designing the next chapter of your life.
How can I get involved as a sponsor or local resource?
We're actively building our sponsor and resource partner community for the 2026 VET Summit. If your organization supports veterans or military families and wants to be in the room, we'd love to talk. Download the sponsorship deck or reach out directly through the contact form below.
Don't take our word for it
The DMO has built an incredible community of digital marketers, growth hackers, and industry professionals. They continuously provide thrilling events for digital marketers and enthusiasts around the world, great job guys!
Founder, Aimclear
Some of the coolest speakers, practitioners, brands, and monkey business all in one special place.
grow your career and business.
Raj Nijjer
Chief Marketing Officer, Refersion
"The DMO is truly a community-first organization for digital and search marketers to learn and contributes as peers. In a dynamic and challenging industry, Jim and team are cultivating deeper relationships that lead to actionable advice and connections to knowledge but a very cool community of people I view as friends."
Mary Davies
President, Beanstalk Internet Marketing
Our Sponsors Make This Possible
The VET Summit is free to attend because of organizations that believe veterans and military families deserve more than a pamphlet and a handshake. Put your organization on the stage by partnering with us for this event.
Sponsorship opportunities are now open for The VET Summit.
NEWS
Copyright 2026. The RECON Network. All Rights Reserved.