Primary Media Contact
AC
Axel Cooley
PR Director — MDEX × XPONENTIAL 2026
Phone: (248) 574-1466
For all media inquiries, credential requests, interview scheduling, and on-site assistance. Axel is your single point of contact from credentialing through event coverage.
Quick Actions for Media
Required — All Media Must Complete
Media credentials require advance registration. Walk-in media credentials are not guaranteed. All members of the press must apply for a media pass prior to arrival. Email axel.cooley@metallonmetal.com with your name, outlet, title, and assignment to request your pass.
About the Event
Event Overview
MDEX × XPONENTIAL 2026 is the convergence of two premier events under one roof in Detroit. MDEX — the Michigan Defense Expo, now in its 17th year and hosted by the NDIA Michigan Chapter — co-locates for the first time with XPONENTIAL, the world’s largest autonomy and uncrewed systems event, hosted by AUVSI. Together, this historic co-location is expected to draw between 11,000 and 13,000 attendees, including DoD buyers, prime contractors, federal officials, global autonomy innovators, engineers, and advanced manufacturers across air, land, sea, and space domains.
Event Scale
13K
Expected attendees
Years Running
17th
Annual MDEX
Programming
100+
Conference sessions
Event Chair
LTC (Ret.) Misty Martin, M3DC
NDIA Michigan Chapter
NDIA Michigan Chapter
MDEX Exhibitors
190
MDEX exhibitors
Media Credentials & Registration
Important — How to Credential
All media registration is processed through XPONENTIAL’s official registration system. After submitting your media pass request to Axel Cooley, you will receive instructions with a registration link and any applicable media codes. Registration is required — there is no on-site media sign-up.
- Email your request — Send your name, outlet, title, and assignment to axel.cooley@metallonmetal.com. Include any specific sessions, speakers, or access needs.
- Receive your media registration link — Axel will respond with confirmation and your personalized registration instructions via XPONENTIAL’s credentialing platform.
- Complete official registration — Register at xponential.org. All MDEX and XPONENTIAL badges are issued through this system.
- Receive your badge confirmation — Your media badge will be held at the dedicated Media Badge Pickup at Huntington Place.
- Arrive and check in with Axel — Upon arrival, contact Axel Cooley directly at (248) 574-1466 to check in and receive your media room orientation and schedule.
On-Site Media Facilities
- Dedicated Media Badge Pickup — A separate, expedited media check-in and badge pickup area will be available at Huntington Place. Look for media signage at the entrance. Do not use the general attendee registration lines.
- Media Room — A dedicated on-site media room is available throughout the event for filing, charging, editing, and briefings. Location details will be provided in your credential confirmation. Contact Axel upon arrival for access.
- Media Entry — Credentialed press will have access to a designated media entry point. Details will be included in your badge confirmation email.
- On-Site Media Coordinator — Contact Axel Cooley upon arrival at (248) 574-1466. She will brief you on the day’s schedule, media access areas, interview queue, and any restricted zones.
- Photography & Filming Access — General show floor photography is permitted for credentialed media. Certain sessions, roundtables, or classified briefings may have restricted recording policies. Axel will advise on a session-by-session basis.
- Wi-Fi — Complimentary press Wi-Fi will be available in the media room. Network credentials provided at badge pickup.
- Power & Workstations — The media room will be equipped with power strips, workstations, and seating for working press.
Interview Requests
Pre-Show & On-Site Interviews Available
Exclusive interviews with event leadership, featured speakers, exhibitors, and government officials are available both in advance of the show and on-site during the event. Pre-show interview slots are limited and subject to availability. Early requests are strongly encouraged.
- Pre-Show Interviews — Available ahead of May 12. Contact Axel to schedule. Ideal for broadcast segments, feature articles, and pre-event coverage.
- On-Site Interviews — Schedule through Axel before or during the event. A dedicated interview area will be available in the media room.
- Executive & Government Access — DoD officials, prime contractor executives, and event leadership are available for media opportunities. All requests must be routed through Axel Cooley.
- Exhibitor Interviews — Media wishing to interview exhibitors on the show floor should coordinate access through the media room to avoid conflicts with scheduled demonstrations.
Parking & Getting Here
Venue Address
Huntington Place — 1 Washington Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48226
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit along the riverfront.
Located in the heart of downtown Detroit along the riverfront.
Huntington Place Roof Deck
1,200 uncovered spaces at Congress & Third Streets. Max height: 9’. From Washington Blvd, go two blocks north then left on Congress. Past Second St., turn left into roof parking.
Congress Street Garage
350 covered + 56 uncovered spaces beneath Huntington Place at Congress & First Streets. Max height: 7’. Open for special events and monthly parking.
Washington Blvd Garage
At Jefferson & Washington Blvd in front of Huntington Place. Listed as “Cobo Parking” on Google Maps or “Washington Blvd Garage” on Apple Maps.
Overflow Parking
First Street Parking Deck and Millennium Garage on Congress Street. Email parking@HuntingtonPlaceDetroit.com for event availability.
- Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) — Designated pickup/drop-off on the south side of Atwater Street, near the riverfront entrance of Huntington Place.
- Public Transit — Detroit People Mover station inside Huntington Place on the 4th floor near Congress Street. FAST bus connects from suburbs and Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) to downtown daily.
- From I-75 North — Exit onto M-10 (Lodge Freeway) southbound. Take Howard Street exit. Turn left on Fort Street. Right on Washington Blvd to venue.
- From I-375 South — Exit at westbound Jefferson. Proceed down Jefferson — Huntington Place is straight ahead.
- Pre-Book Parking — Reserve in advance at SpotHero.com to guarantee your spot during the event.
Press Resources & Downloads
- Official MDEX Press Release — Download the official event press release for background, quotes, and event details. Available at mdex-ndia.com →
- Event Agenda — Full conference program including keynotes, Army Leadership Panel, breakout sessions, workshops, and government-led roundtables. Download PDF →
- Event Fact Sheet — Key stats, speaker highlights, and exhibitor information. Email axel.cooley@metallonmetal.com
- High-Resolution Brand Assets — Logos and event imagery for press use available upon credentialed media request.
- Speaker Bios & Headshots — Available for confirmed speakers and event leadership. Contact Axel for access.
Media Coverage to Date
📺 Television
FOX 2 News Detroit
FOX 2 Morning News Feature
Live television segment covering MDEX × XPONENTIAL 2026 and Detroit’s emergence as a national defense hub.
Watch segment →
CBS Detroit — Michigan Matters
Michigan Matters: Growing the Defense Sector
CBS Detroit’s Michigan Matters show features MDEX and the role of Oakland University students in the growing defense industry.
Watch segment →
📓 Print & Newspaper
Detroit Free Press
Why a Retired Army Officer Sees Michigan as Key to the Defense Industry
Carol Cain feature column highlighting LTC (Ret.) Misty Martin and the vision behind MDEX × XPONENTIAL 2026.
Read article →
Michigan Chronicle
MDEX × XPONENTIAL Will Bring Global Defense and Autonomy Leaders to Detroit
Full feature on the historic co-location of MDEX and XPONENTIAL and what it means for Detroit’s defense ecosystem.
Read article →
🌐 Online & Digital
Corp! Magazine
Defense, Autonomy Event Partners MDEX, XPONENTIAL
Corp! Magazine covers the landmark partnership between MDEX and XPONENTIAL and what attendees can expect in Detroit this May.
Read article →
DBusiness / Hour Detroit
Global Conference XPONENTIAL Coming to Detroit
DBusiness covers XPONENTIAL’s selection of Detroit as its 2026 host city and the significance for Michigan’s autonomy sector.
Read article →
Inside Defense
Interview Conducted — Release Date TBA
Inside Defense conducted a feature interview on April 8, 2026. Publication date to be announced.
Forthcoming
Story Angles & Coverage Areas
- Autonomous & Uncrewed Systems — Ground vehicles, aerial drones, maritime platforms, robotics, and AI-enabled systems across all domains.
- Defense Procurement & Acquisition — Direct engagement between DoD buyers, Army contracting officials, prime contractors, and small businesses.
- Detroit’s Defense Manufacturing Renaissance — Michigan’s emergence as a national hub for defense-grade autonomous technology and advanced manufacturing.
- Policy & National Security — Government-led roundtables and keynotes shaping the future of defense readiness and autonomous systems deployment.
- Innovation & Startups — MDEX exhibition floor featuring emerging companies and breakthrough technologies.
- Workforce & STEM — Programming focused on building the next generation of the autonomy and defense workforce.
- Keynote Speakers — High-profile keynotes including the Army Leadership Panel kicking off the week. Speaker details and full agenda: MDEX-2026-Agenda-as-of-16-March-2026-for-website-DRAFT-1.pdf →
Media Policies
- Credentials Required — All working press must wear their media badge visibly at all times on the show floor and in all event spaces.
- No Credential Sharing — Media credentials are non-transferable and issued to named individuals only.
- Restricted Sessions — Some sessions, roundtables, and briefings may be off the record or restricted from recording. Axel Cooley will advise on a session-by-session basis.
- Embargoes — Certain announcements may be provided under embargo prior to the event. Embargo agreements will be communicated in writing.
- Social Media — Live social posting is permitted unless specifically noted otherwise in a session. Official hashtags: #MDEX2026 #XPONENTIAL #BringingDefenseToDetroit
- Exhibitor Floor Access — Credentialed media have general access to the exhibit floor during open hours. Demonstrations and booth filming must be coordinated with the relevant exhibitor and Axel Cooley.
All Media Inquiries