📢 Call for Papers deadline: December 31, 2026
Last verified: October 28, 2026 · how we verify
Information aggregated automatically. Verify all dates, locations, and pricing on the official conference website before making arrangements.
Huntsville, Alabama, is known as the Rocket City for its long association with aerospace and defence, and its local security community has adopted the name for its own event. BSides Rocket City 2027 is a free, community-organised information security conference taking place on Saturday 20 March 2027, open to professionals, students and enthusiasts alike. The conference is hosted at Calhoun Community College, a setting that underlines its educational mission and its welcome to people still entering the field. Huntsville's concentration of engineering, government and defence employers gives this cybersecurity conference in Huntsville in 2027 a distinctive audience, and the free admission model means cost is no obstacle to attending. Following the BSides model, the programme is shaped by community submissions, and the day is as much about conversation as presentation. Attendees can hear practical perspectives on security challenges, meet practitioners from across North Alabama, and explore career paths in a field with strong local demand. Students in particular benefit from the opportunity to connect with working professionals in an informal environment. For the Tennessee Valley's security community, BSides Rocket City provides an accessible, locally rooted forum that strengthens the regional talent pipeline.
BSides Rocket City 2027 takes place March 20, 2027 in Huntsville, United States.
BSides Rocket City 2027 is an in-person event.
The Call for Papers is open — submissions close on December 31, 2026.
Travel questions? See Good to know in the travel guide below.
Huntsville earned the nickname Rocket City when Wernher von Braun's team developed the Saturn V here, and that aerospace heritage still shapes the local workforce, which makes it a natural home for a security conference. BSides Rocket City takes place on Saturday 20 March at Calhoun Community College's Huntsville campus within Cummings Research Park, one of the largest research parks in the country. Late March brings early spring to north Alabama, with blossoming redbuds and dogwoods and the first warm afternoons of the year.
Huntsville International Airport (HSV) is about 15 km southwest of the research park and is served by connecting flights through the major southeastern hubs; the drive to campus takes around 20 minutes. Many attendees instead fly into Nashville (BNA), roughly a two-hour drive north, or Birmingham (BHM), about an hour and a half south. Public transit is limited, so a rental car or rideshare is the realistic option.
Skip the taxi queue — pre-book a fixed-price airport transfer with Kiwitaxi. Exploring beyond the city? compare rental cars on EconomyBookings.
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Coverage across Huntsville and the research park is strong on all major US networks. International visitors can skip roaming charges entirely with a US eSIM installed before the flight. Set up an eSIM with Airalo before you board and you're online the moment you land.
U.S. Space & Rocket Center. A short drive from the research park, this museum displays a full Saturn V rocket suspended in a dedicated hall, alongside space shuttle hardware and simulators. It is the essential Huntsville stop and easily fills three hours. Arrive at opening on a weekday or Sunday to avoid school groups in the spring season. Tickets on Tiqets →
Huntsville Botanical Garden. Located beside the research park, the garden is at its most colourful in late March as tulips, daffodils and flowering trees open. Its trails, aquatic garden and seasonal displays make an easy two-hour visit. Weekend mornings are pleasant before the afternoon warmth arrives, and the site is only minutes from the conference.
Monte Sano State Park. A forested plateau east of downtown with more than 30 km of hiking and biking trails, stone shelters built in the 1930s and wide views over the Tennessee Valley. Spring wildflowers line the paths in March. Plan a half-day, and note that the access road climbs steeply from the city.
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment. A converted cotton mill west of downtown that now holds over a hundred working artist studios, galleries and small food vendors. Opening days are typically Wednesday to Saturday, so it pairs well with a Saturday visit after the conference closes. Allow about ninety minutes to wander the floors.
Do I need a car in Huntsville?
Yes, realistically. Attractions are spread out and public transport is sparse, so a rental car or rideshare is the practical choice.
What is the weather like in late March?
Days are usually mild, around 15 to 22°C, but spring thunderstorms can roll through quickly. Pack a light rain jacket.
Travel notes written for BSides Rocket City 2027 attendees. Links marked above are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Verify schedules and opening hours on official websites before you travel.
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