AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition – Oct. 22 – Oct. 24
19 Sep 12. “America’s Army: Service to the Nation, Strength for the Future,” ™ the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2012 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – will set the tone for speeches, industry and military exhibits and special presentations from senior Defense Department and Army leaders on subjects relating to the Army of the present and the Army of 2020.
The AUSA meeting, Oct. 22 – 24, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., is a “Professional Development Forum” focusing on panel discussions, educational forums, and multimedia presentations and workshops that showcase the Army, the soldier and the Army family.
This year – for the second consecutive year – the meeting will occupy the entire Convention Center.
The meeting attracts over 36,000 members and guests annually.
Only AUSA members may purchase tickets for lunches, dinners and receptions in advance before Sept. 28. Members and non-members may register in advance not later than Oct. 16. After the advance closing date, registering for the meeting and purchasing tickets and to the functions, if available, will be done on-site at the Convention Center.
For information on registering and purchasing tickets, visit the AUSA website at www.ausa.org – “Annual Meeting.” There is no registration fee.
The Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, located within walking distance of the Convention Center, will be the meeting’s headquarters hotel.
All program activities, sessions and social events will take place in the Convention Center except the Chapter Presidents Dinner, the ROTC Luncheon, the Corporate Member Luncheon and the Army Civilian Luncheon that will be held in the Renaissance Hotel.
Program highlights
Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, will host the Chapter Presidents Dinner Sunday, Oct. 21.
The dinner’s speaker is Gen. Robert Cone, commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, will brief the Association’s volunteer leadership.
On Monday morning, Oct. 22, members of the reserve components will attend the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard and Reserve Breakfast.
Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, will address the reserve component attendees at this event.
Following this breakfast, the meeting will officially open with a patriotic presentation by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” in the center’s ballroom.
The secretary of the Army, John M. McHugh, will be the meeting’s keynote speaker at the opening ceremony.
Three luncheons will follow the opening session.
The Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Luncheon is the venue where the selection of the Army Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year will be announced.
NCOs and soldiers – to include the drill sergeants of the year, recruiters of the year, the Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the Year and the winners of Army-wide competitions – will also be introduced.
The Army vice chief of staff, Gen. Lloyd J. Austin, will speak at this luncheon.
Gen. Carter F. Ham, who commands U.S. Africa Command, will address the ROTC Luncheon for cadets and PMS personnel.
AUSA will host the Corporate Member Luncheon also on Monday. The speaker is Gen. James D. Thurman, commanding general, U.S. Forces Korea.
Monday’s activities conclude with the President’s Reception honoring McHugh, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, and the sergeant major of the Army, Raymond Chandler.
On Tuesday, the Association will host the Congressional Staffers Breakfast, where McHugh will speak to the assembled Hill staffers and Army guests before they tour the exhibit hall.
Warrant officer seminar
CW5 Gary Nisker, command chief warrant officer and past president of the Warrant Officers Association, wil