For the MIC, Every Day is Veterans Day

For the MIC, Every Day is Veterans Day

By Jack Pagano
jack@thetampapost.com

 

TAMPA, Fla. — Every November, America pauses to observe Veterans Day. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we honor those who served and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  But in Tampa, one organization believes veterans deserve recognition every day of the year.

The Military Influencer Conference (MIC) has spent the past decade showcasing veterans, military spouses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and advocates who continue serving their communities long after leaving active duty. More than a conference, MIC has become a national gathering where veterans connect, collaborate, and create opportunities that make a difference.

 

 

The MIC conference showcased many keynote speakers with timely presentations. Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

A Decade of Growth

In September 2026, MIC celebrated its 10th anniversary in Tampa, bringing together nearly 4,000 attendees from across the country.

What began in Dallas in 2016 with just 80 participants has grown into one of the nation’s premier military community events, with conferences held over the years in Orlando, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Atlanta, and Tampa.

This year’s event was centered at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Tampa Marriott Water Street, creating a single campus atmosphere for keynote presentations, workshops, networking events, exhibits, and the MIC Impact Awards.

Retired Navy Public Affairs Officer Amy Forsythe showcases her media expertise. It’s all about winning the information war. More than 4,000 participated in MIC’s adventure in Tampa. Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

High-Profile Speakers and Meaningful Conversations

Among the familiar faces at MIC was Amy Forsythe, a retired U.S. Navy Reserve Public Affairs Officer and former Marine Corps combat correspondent. An award-winning journalist, author, and speaker, Forsythe has spent more than three decades telling the stories of service members and veterans, both in and out of uniform. She continues to be a leading voice in military media and veteran advocacy.

The 2026 conference featured an impressive lineup that included celebrity chef Robert Irvine, actress Jill Wagner, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman David Isom, comedian Steve-O, and veteran advocate Ellen Gustafson.  Attendees also participated in a variety of events, including Comedy Night, a Hiring Fair, a Veterans Affairs claims clinic, and the Impact Awards competition, which helps nonprofit organizations increase their reach and effectiveness.

Panel discussions addressed issues ranging from entrepreneurship and leadership to civic engagement. One session, “The Unsung Heroes: How Veterans Show Up for American Elections,” highlighted the often-overlooked contributions veterans make to the democratic process.

Medal of Honor recipient Major (Ret.) James Capers was at the MIC talking about his book and Hero T-shirts.  JW Marriott Tampa. Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

Among the distinguished veterans associated with the military community and MIC is James Capers Jr., a retired U.S. Marine Corps major whose extraordinary heroism during the Vietnam War earned him the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for valor.

As a Force Reconnaissance team leader in 1967, Capers continued leading his men through intense enemy fire despite suffering multiple gunshot and shrapnel wounds. He refused evacuation until every member of his team had been rescued.  Nearly 60 years later, he received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his courage, leadership, and selfless devotion to his fellow Marines.

 

More Than a Conference

Ask attendees what sets MIC apart, and many describe it as a family reunion.

The event creates opportunities for veterans, military spouses, content creators, business owners, and nonprofit leaders to exchange ideas, build professional relationships, and find resources that help them succeed.

Organizers have worked hard to create an atmosphere where first-time attendees feel welcome and longtime participants feel connected. The result is a community that extends well beyond the conference itself.

Representatives from the Veterans Administration discuss how they are engaged and involved with veterans.  Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

Impact Beyond the Ballroom

MIC’s influence reaches beyond the convention halls.  This year’s conference included community events throughout Tampa, including a public fitness session at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park led by Air Force veteran and fitness influencer Darryl “BullyJuice” Williams.

The conference also highlighted the diversity of the military community, featuring stories from service members, spouses, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and corporate partners working to solve problems, create businesses, and support veterans nationwide.

Army Veteran Dewayne Kimble was at the MIC with one mission: Help veterans. Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

At MIC, stories of continued service are everywhere. One of them belongs to Dewayne Kimble, an Army veteran who transformed his experience as a VA Rating Specialist into a mission of helping other veterans navigate the benefits system. Through education, advocacy, and outreach, Kimble exemplifies the conference’s core message: military service may end, but the commitment to serving others does not.

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Craig Du Mez, Founder of the Grateful Nation Project, was at the MIC. He’s committed to telling the story of Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Sept. 25, 2026 (photo by Jack Pagano)

 

Also attending the MIC was Craig Du Mez, President and Founder of The Grateful Nation Project HC Inc., a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit dedicated to honoring, preserving, and sharing the stories of America’s veterans and military families.

His presence underscored one of the conference’s central themes: ensuring the sacrifices and contributions of veterans are recognized, remembered, and passed on to future generations. The organization’s mission aligns closely with the spirit of MIC, where service, leadership, and continued community impact remain at the forefront.

 

A Tampa Tradition

From Medal of Honor recipient James Capers Jr. to journalist and Navy veteran Amy Forsythe, veteran advocate Dewayne Kimble, and Craig Du Mez of The Grateful Nation Project, the faces at MIC represent the very best of America.

A grateful nation was on display in Tampa, not simply honoring past service, but celebrating the ongoing contributions veterans make every day. That may be the Military Influencer Conference’s greatest achievement: reminding America that veterans are not defined by what they did yesterday, but by what they continue to do today. At MIC, those stories take center stage.

In a city proud of its military heritage, the conference stands as a testament to a simple truth: veterans never stop serving, and their stories deserve to be told every day of the year.

 

 

Veteran broadcast journalist Jack Pagano is a retired Army field-grade officer with many decades of Information Operations “in the fight” experience and is currently working remotely in the USA as COO/Strategist for one of Afghanistan’s biggest Radio/TV networks.  His next mission is getting out Afghan journalists he trained and mentored who are stuck, stranded under the sharia-driven Taliban.   Jackp1957@yahoo.com