Founded in 1998, the AFCEA Bethesda Chapter is an educationally based, non-profit organization which encourages greater government/industry partnerships and information exchange. The Chapter fosters networking among peers in government and industry and focuses on US Civilian Agencies.

The Chapter holds monthly breakfast meetings, provides annual scholarships and holds an annual Charity Ball to benefit The Children’s Inn at NIH.

AFCEA International has designated the Bethesda Chapter as a “Model Chapter of the Year” each year since 2000.

In 2004, the Chapter formed a Young AFCEAN group whose goal is to foster an environment where young professionals from the private and public sectors can meet, interact, and learn from each other.