AFCEA plays a key role in national security and facilitates dialogue and cooperation among the civil government, Department of Defense, and private industry. AFCEA International and local AFCEA chapters sponsor conferences, exhibitions, technical symposia and panels, webinars, paper presentations, and expert speakers. Located around the world, AFCEA's more than 140 chapters foster greater government–industry partnerships and give members continuing opportunities to exchange ideas about communications, intelligence, imaging, and information systems technologies. The AFCEA Bethesda Chapter organizes a wide range of networking opportunities for the DC Metropolitan area, including a monthly breakfast series, IT Days and Technology Symposiums. In addition, the Chapter hosts several philanthropic events each year and provides scholarships to students at local colleges. AFCEA Bethesda was founded in 1998. Thanks to the dedication of our membership and sponsors, AFCEA International has designated our chapter as a "Model Chapter of the Year" every year since 2000.