Each year, thousands gather for the Air and Space Force Association’s (AFA’s) annual Air, Space, & Cyber Conference. This year’s event was no different, drawing over 20,000 Air Force, Space Force, and industry professionals from September 22-24 to hear from top brass, share emerging technologies, and connect with colleagues. For the military community, AFA 2025 wasn’t just a quick trip to National Harbor, it was three days of exclusive access to the conversations shaping the future of air and space power. But where does a home loan and realty company like WeVett fit into this world of strategy and innovation?
Mardie Marqueze knew the answer on day one. As WeVett’s Realty Experience and Sales Director, she walks hand-in-hand with active-duty service members and Veterans during their homebuying journey, connecting clients with military-specialized realtors, answering questions, and offering support at every home buying decision point. She not only understands mission readiness from a spouse’s point of view, but sees firsthand how building a strong homefront can contribute to better mental, financial, and career health. So, as she walked through the conference room doors on that first day, it was easy to see where AFA’s key message met WeVett’s mission–strong families mean strong Forces.
We sat down with Mardie to talk more about her time at AFA–what she saw, shared, and learned–and how WeVett is stepping up to strengthen the future for military families.
Q: Can you describe AFA to those who aren’t familiar, and tell us what the day-to-day looked like?
AFA is an annual event hosted by the Air and Space Force Association where industry leaders come together to discuss anything and everything connected to advancing the mission. For attendees, it’s a pretty major event. There’s the main keynote sessions delivered by speakers including the Honorable Troy Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, and Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief Staff of the Air Force. And there’s also several breakout sessions covering everything from leadership and family to defense systems and technology. It’s a great place to network with everyone from top generals to tech innovators.
In the exhibition hall, you can find big names like Boeing and Rolls‑Royce as well as leading-edge tech companies. One company even had a robot playing fetch. I wasn’t expecting to see that on a Tuesday. But there’s also a strong spouse and family component, which is very aligned with WeVett’s mission.
Q: Was there a specific session, speaker, or conversation that stuck out to you?
I really enjoyed the session with General David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and his wife Gina Allvin in the “United Forces & Families: Senior Leaders’ Perspectives” session. It was an honest conversation around balancing mission demands with family needs, which is important for sustainability. I appreciated each contributor’s authenticity and relatability. Also, hearing senior leaders discuss housing and PCS challenges highlighted how crucial it is to have community during tough seasons. To me, it confirmed the importance of WeVett’s mission, especially our 20‑Year Client Vision.
Q: How does AFA impact active-duty military and their families?
One thing that really stood out to me at this year’s event was that throughout the many keynote sessions and breakouts, I heard a few common threads–especially when addressing challenges.Whether it’s a new airman just starting out their career or a seasoned general with several years under their belt, many of the challenges are the same: PCSing, housing, and balancing mission with family life. Providing support structures for these difficulties is also central to the success of our forces.
This year, it was really cool to see those topics discussed on such a big stage. There was even a MilSpouse Link Up Lounge that provided a designated space for military spouses to exchange ideas and share resources, further emphasizing that readiness encompasses the whole family. And this ties into WeVett’s place in the military community, since our role as trusted PCS partners positions us to walk with families through some of life’s most stressful transitions.
Q: What was your biggest takeaway from AFA 2025?
I left with a deeper understanding of how sustained family support equals mission readiness. Families are a strategic advantage when supported well, especially throughout challenging seasons like deployments and moves. Hearing several speakers connect home stability and community to overall Force health made me think about how WeVett can bridge gaps while continuing to build our team as true advocates rather than purely service providers.
Q: And just for fun, what was your favorite moment or memory from this year’s event?
First, I have to give a shoutout to the MilSpouse LinkUp Lounge for the free massages. That was amazing. But on a more serious note, it was great to reconnect with friends. When you’re living the military life, long-distance friendships are the norm. So, it’s a big treat to see so many people you’ve lived and served beside at once, especially those from my husband’s early career. It’s like a big family reunion.
I also loved getting to connect with other active-duty service members, their families, and military-focused companies, and have meaningful conversations around WeVett’s services. As the Realty Experience and Sales Director, it’s always fulfilling to share about why WeVett exists. Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest quality realty and VA loan services, allowing them to make sound financial decisions throughout the homebuying process. It’s a mission I really believe in, and I was honored to be able to bring that WeVett passion and enthusiasm to AFA 2025.
Partnership Beyond the Dotted Line
AFA 2025 served as a powerful reminder that true mission readiness is multifaceted. That’s why military families deserve more than one-size-fits-all solutions, they deserve partners who understand their journey. This partnership forms the epicenter of our ethos, fueling our efforts to show up in new ways.
AFA 2025 has come and gone, but one thing remains clear: what we call “home” reaches far beyond four walls. As such, WeVett is proud to stand with active-duty service members and their families not only throughout their homebuying journey, but as long-term advocates for building community, financial security, and a future worth fighting for.
Ready to start building? Connect with WeVett today.
