FAQs NCT USA

Event Dates: 2–3 September 2026

Event Location: Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland, USA

To provide a convenient accommodation option for our exhibitors and delegates, we have reserved a block of rooms at a preferential rate for NCT USA 2026.

Recommended Hotel: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Edgewood Aberdeen
📍 Address: 1420 Handlir Drive, Bel Air, MD 21015, USA

You can book your stay using our dedicated booking link HERE.

Booking deadline: 15 August 2026

Please read and follow the instructions applicable to your affiliation and nationality below or on this document.

Specific rules apply to access the APG. Requirements depend on nationality (US/Foreign) and on affiliation (government/non-government). See the required steps below: 

Requirements for US non-government attendees (no Common Access Card)

It is possible to request visitor access not earlier than 10 days before your visit (from August 23rd onward)

1. Visit HTTPS://PASS.AIE.ARMY.MIL/APG 

2. Complete the on-line registration pages.

• Agency - Aberdeen Proving Ground
• Pass type - Visitor Pass
• Reason for visit - Day Pass (it will be valid for event's duration)

Do not change the date of arrival. Once you complete the registration and the record is vetted you will receive one of two emails:

1. Pass is approved. The email will have the pass attached. Go to the gate and show the pass to the guard. They will scan your pass or driver’s license.
2. There is an issue, proceed to the VCC. If the VCC is open, go there. If the VCC is closed, go to the visitor lane (right lane) and show the guard the email and your driver’s license. They will conduct additional vetting and determine if access will be granted.

Requirements for US government attendees (Common Access Card holders)

No actions required (aside from NCT USA 2026 event pre-registration).

Requirements for foreign non-government attendees:

International Non-Government Personnel, Contractors and Academia will complete a One Time Visit request PDF Form.

The form can be downloaded at the following link → One Time Visit Request Form*.

The completed form and a copy of the photo and personal information page of the visitor's passport must be provided to the DEVCOM CBC International Programs Office as soon as possible:

• Rino Imperiale, rino.imperiale.civ@army.mil and
• Michael Krouse,michael.krouse5.civ@army.mil

If the visitor is a US permanent resident, they should also send a copy of their green card. Once received and reviewed, the visit request will be processed through our Foreign Disclosure/Security Office.

*Details for the One Time Visit Request Form:

• Points 9-12 can be left blank.
• Point 17. Write 31 AUG - 4 SEPT 2026 
• Point 18. CDTF, E4516, Edgewood Gate Rd, Gunpowder, MD 21010, United States
• Point 19. Part of the organizing team of NCT USA 2026 conference
• Point 20. Debra Thedford, DEVCOM CBC, (410) 322-7933
• Point 21-22. Leave blank 
• Point 24-27: All answers NO
• Point 28. Answer YES

Requirements for Foreign Government Attendees

Prior to any foreign government visitor (government civilian or military) going to a DoD facility, their embassy in Washington DC must submit a Request for Visit Authorization (RVA)/Foreign Visit Request (FVR) (some people use one term, some another, but they are the same thing), through the Foreign Visit System (FVS).

The request must be submitted NLT 30 days in advance of the visit

The following information is required to be submitted with the visit request:

Anticipated Level of Classified Information to be involved: Public Release

Visit Dates: 1-4 September 2026

Purpose of Visit: To attend CBRNe Society, NCT Conference at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Facility Information: (Conference participants must have a clearance sent to include all of the following offices/agencies in order to attend.)

Name of Agency/Areas to be visited:

       1. US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM)

Chemical Biological Center (CBC) (Conference Co-host)

Address – 8198 Blackhawk Road

City - Aberdeen Proving Ground

State - Maryland

Zip code – 21010-5424

• Knowledgeable US POC:

Name – Ms. Debra Thedford/Mr. Julius Owens

Phone Number – (443) 322-7933; (410) 417-0551

Organization – DEVCOM CBC Email Address –debra.a.thedford.civ@army.mil / julius.c.owens4.civ@army.mil

• Security POC:

Name – Mike Krouse

Phone Number – (410) 436-0787

Organization – DEVCOM CBC Email Address - michael.krouse5.civ@army.mil

        2. US Army Chemical Materials Activity (Conference main location, Building E4516)

US Army Chemical Materials Activity

8435 Hoadley Road

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5424

• Knowledgeable US POC:

Name – Mr. Kelso Horne

Phone Number –410-436-4364

Organization – US Army Chemical Materials Activity Email Address – kelso.c.horne.civ@army.mil

• Security POC:

Name – Brian Ferguson/Emery Gallup

Phone Number – 410-436-7509/410-436-0266

Organization – US Army Chemical Materials Activity Email Address – brian.k.ferguson3.civ@army.mil / emery.a.gallup.civ@army.mil

Event Location: Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland, USA. Google Maps

The exact building of the event is called Chemical Demilitarization Training Facility (CDTF) - at the Edgewood Area of APG.

All foreign nationals are required to take the NCT shuttle van to access the APG. The shuttle will leave from the Springhill Suites Hotel Edgewood. The van schedule will be communicated closer to the event. 

Gate Hours & Directions

Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) is comprised of two areas: the Aberdeen Area (APG North) and the Edgewood Area (APG South). These areas are not connected but are within a short driving distance of one another.

The NCT Conference is held at the Edgewood Area (APG South).

• Route 24 / Hoadley Road Gate: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round (24/7/365).

• MD Route 24 Visitor Control Center: 07:00–15:00, Monday through Friday.
• Closed on weekends and public holidays.

• From destinations south of APG: Take I-95 North toward New York. Please note that tolls apply.
• From destinations north of APG: Take I-95 South toward Baltimore. Please note that tolls apply.
• Take Exit 77 (Edgewood/Bel Air) and follow Route 24 South toward Edgewood.
• Continue on Route 24 and follow the signs to the Visitor Control Center upon arrival at the installation.

• Visitors and delivery vehicles must enter through the Hoadley Road (Route 24) Gate for the Edgewood Area (APG South).
• Entry to the installation requires a valid photo ID for all attendees aged 18 and over. Individuals under the age of 18 are not required to present photo identification unless they are driving.
• Drivers must present a valid driver's license and current vehicle registration.
• All persons, their belongings, and vehicles are subject to inspection by the Aberdeen Proving Ground Police Department.

Each person operating a motor vehicle in the State of Maryland must have insurance that complies with Maryland law. This requirement also applies to non-resident owners or registrants of motor vehicles that have been physically present within the state for more than 90 of the preceding 365 days.

• While driving a privately owned vehicle (POV) or operating a government vehicle, a hands-free device must be used when talking on a cellular phone.
• Texting while driving is prohibited.
• Speed detection devices may not be used on any Department of Defense (DoD) installation.
• All occupants must wear seat belts, regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle. Children aged six and under must be properly restrained regardless of seating position. Children aged four and five must be secured with either a seat belt or an approved child restraint. Children under the age of four must be secured in an approved child safety seat.
• Headlights must be turned on when driving in rain, fog, or at dusk.

Anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and network in the fields of CBRNE, C-IED, and EOD and demining is more than welcome to attend. We usually host many government institutions, civilian and military first responders, industry representatives, NGOs etc.

Your delegate pass includes access to the exhibition, including the live capability demonstration, when applicable, along with the 2 days conference and evening reception. During the event, lunch and two coffee breaks per day will be provided at no additional cost. NCT PRO Trainings are only accessible to training teams and representatives of sponsoring companies.

It is possible for you to change the name on the delegate pass. To do so please let us know who will be attending on your behalf by contacting us at eventsteam@nct-events.com

Please check the terms and conditions for the costs of changing the name on a delegate pass.

If you are interested in becoming a media partner for our event, please contact us at  eventsteam@nct-events.com and put “Media partnership” as subject of your email.

Uniform or business during conference days. Uniforms are accepted and endorsed. Please note that if you participate in trainings, you better wear a tactical uniform rather than a ceremony uniform.

You can always buy a delegate pass onsite, but you will only be able to pay using cash. You can also book the event last minute through the website and pay using a credit card.

Event Dates: 2–3 September 2026
Exhibitor Setup: 1 September 2026, 14:00–15:30

Event Location: Edgewood Area, Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), Maryland, USA

Your booth comes fully equipped, and includes a printed backdrop, a table, two chairs and electricity.

If you need additional items at your booth (e.g. screen), please contact your POC at NCT.

NCT events have the highest percentage of government and end user participants in the industry. In 2018, 68% of the delegates was working in an active role for the government.