ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

With less than a month to go before the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2021 Annual Meeting and Exposition, planning continues for a safe, comfortable and high-quality event.

Scheduled for Oct. 11–13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., this year’s in-person event will have the same key features of past meetings with a few adjustments.

Updated Sept. 21: Everyone participating in this year’s Annual Meeting must be vaccinated. We encourage everyone to upload their vaccination card in advance by clicking here: https://info.ausa.org/e/784783/fmi-webd-ausa-am/9s15z/569855977?h=Zzxee0GI77PdLbu6jv6jii84rFWtt1eOp97CdbK1pGE

The Association of the U.S. Army is releasing eight new podcast episodes in September, including an update on Army recruiting efforts and the latest on the upcoming AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.

First up in the “Army Matters” series is a special back-to-school edition featuring Maria McConville, spouse of the Army chief of staff, Alexandra Grinston, spouse of the sergeant major of the Army, and Shannon George of the Military Child Education Coalition. 

Health and safety are the paramount considerations as the Association of the U.S. Army continues planning for the 2021 Annual Meeting and Exposition, an in-person event Oct. 11–13 at the D.C. convention center. 

The meeting will be conducted according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, along with restrictions that might be required by the District of Columbia and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Rules are expected to be revised as health risks change over time. 

Registration is now open for the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2021 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

The in-person event will take place Oct. 11–13 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. Planning is quickly moving ahead now that the District of Columbia has reopened to in-person events.

Attendees also can register for housing, which opened July 7.

The 2021 recipient of the Association of the U.S. Army’s highest award for distinguished and selfless service is retired Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, the association’s board of directors announced. 

The 64-year-old Preston, a native of Mount Savage, Maryland, was the 13th and longest serving Army senior enlisted adviser, retiring in 2011 after 36 years in uniform including seven as the top NCO and adviser to two Army chiefs of staff, Gen. Peter Schoomaker and Gen. George Casey Jr. 

Relaxation of District of Columbia social distancing restrictions has allowed the Association of the U.S. Army to plan for a big, in-person Annual Meeting and Exposition this fall.

District officials lifted many restrictions on May 21, with plans for a full reopening in June. 

“We are thrilled by this news, as it means AUSA can host our in-person Annual Meeting,” the association said in a statement. “It’s time to get back to business, and we can’t wait to see you there.”

The Association of the U.S. Army is designing a first-class and safe in-person 2021 Annual Meeting and Exposition in close coordination with the District of Columbia and with the full support of the U.S. Army. 

Scheduled for Oct. 11–13, the AUSA Annual Meeting will include industry exhibits, speeches by Army leaders and topical forums providing insight into the current state of the world's most powerful land force as well as a discussion of its future plans. 

If you missed a contemporary military forum, major speech or Warriors Corner presentation during AUSA Now, they are now available for on-demand viewing.

The Association of the U.S. Army’s virtual annual meeting took place Oct. 13–16, and it was packed with addresses from senior Army leaders, contemporary military forums, military family forums, webinars from industry partners and more.

The Army is taking to space as it works to expand “the depth and breadth” of its ability to quickly and accurately deliver intelligence to troops on the battlefield, said Lt. Gen. Laura Potter, deputy chief of staff for intelligence.

Speaking Oct. 16 during a Warriors Corner presentation at AUSA Now, the 2020 virtual annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army, Potter talked about the Army’s plans to better use tactical space assets to help deliver intelligence with greater speed, precision and accuracy.