U.S. Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., has been named honorary co-host of the upcoming modeling and simulation leadership conference to be held in Suffolk next month.

Forbes is currently the chairman of the Congressional Modeling and Simulation Caucus.

The conference will be held from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn, and will be hosted by the Arlington-based National Training Systems Association.

The event is designed to bring together business leaders to discuss critical issues facing the modeling and simulation industry and to develop policies that can be formulated to deal with future issues, said Forbes, in an earlier press release.

“We stand at a critical juncture in the development of the modeling and simulation industry.

This open leadership forum is designed to be a catalyst to take advantage of the vast potential of the industry both today and in the future.”

People will be able to participate in workshops focusing on modeling and simulation issues that directly affect the Department of Defense and Homeland Security.

The following issues will be discussed: Industrial Development, Business Practice, Technology and Professional Development.

The Modeling and Simulation Caucus showcases M&S training initiatives of the military in a joint task force environment, promotes the M&S industry, and provides a forum to understand the importance of such training to the battlefield success.

North Suffolk has become a magnet for modeling and simulation companies in the past decade. Raytheon Corp. announced Wednesday that they would become the newest high-tech resident in Suffolk’s Sim City, joining such neighbors as Lockheed Martin, SAIC, General Dynamics and Booz Allen Hamilton.

For more information about the M&S Leadership Summit please contact NTSA Director Membership Services, Patrick Rowe at (703) 247-9471 or visit www.trainingsystems.org.