Collaboration Takes Center Stage at the 2025 Virtual Hangar User Workshop

The Virtual Hangar User Workshop is more than a gathering — its connections are a catalyst for advancement. This year’s event in Orlando brought together defense professionals, service members, and industry partners, all focused on a common goal: strengthening readiness through immersive learning.

For Mass Virtual COO Dave Dwyer, the spirit of collaboration defined the week. “The most important thing to walk away with,” he said, “is that the best solutions are built with collaboration. The more input we can get from everybody, the better the product.”

That message echoed throughout the workshop as representatives from the Air Force, Navy, Army, Guard, and Reserve gathered alongside DoD civilians and leading XR innovators. The conversations were candid, creative, and rooted in a shared belief: that by bringing people and ideas together, the community can accelerate the adoption of immersive technology across the enterprise.

Emphasizing how collaboration drives innovation, JoAnn Archer of Design Interactive reflected on the energy and openness of this year’s workshop: “This industry is really promoting collaboration — understanding what the needs are, where limitations can be addressed, and how we can develop answers together. It’s not just about what one company does, but what we do collectively with partners like Mass Virtual.”

For attendees, it wasn’t just about showcasing products — it was about shaping the ecosystem.Jim Kukla from RedShred echoed that sentiment, noting how the event provided a forum for open dialogue and real partnership across organizations: “It’s important for people to get together in the context of a bigger conversation. You can have a longer discussion, a true exchange of ideas. That’s where innovation starts.”

Across breakout sessions, panels, and hands-on demos, that innovation was on full display. Vendors including VRgineers, SIMS, Design Interactive, and RedShred demonstrated how diverse technologies can work together to strengthen the broader XR community — ensuring that immersive training remains scalable, accessible, and effective for everyone.

As Dwyer noted, this collaborative energy is essential for sustaining the momentum that began with Virtual Hangar. “Collaboration is key to making sure we deliver the exact solution that’s needed — at the point of need,” he said. “The feedback, the shared ideas, the partnerships — that’s what keeps this ecosystem strong.”

The 2025 Virtual Hangar User Workshop may have concluded, but its impact will continue to unfold through new collaborations and expanded engagement across the defense and technology sectors. As immersive learning continues to redefine readiness, one thing is clear: progress happens together.