Coalition Partnerships: Diplomats, Defense and Local Engagement

Tampa is home to some of the most important military commands in the world, but the international dimension of that presence is often less visible to the broader community.

This session will explore the diplomats, military representatives, and coalition partners who work alongside U.S. personnel in Tampa and help strengthen relationships between the United States and allied nations.

Featuring Catherine H. Herndon and representatives connected to the international coalition presence at Tampa’s military commands, the discussion will examine how foreign military officers, diplomats, and liaison personnel contribute to cooperation, information sharing, planning, and long-term relationship building.

The panel will also look at what it means for Tampa to host such a concentrated international military community and how those relationships extend beyond the gates of MacDill Air Force Base into the broader civic, diplomatic, and business life of the region.

At its core, this session asks a simple but important question: What does it mean for Tampa to be a city where representatives from allied nations work shoulder to shoulder every day?