"America’s Army: The Strength of the Nation" ™ – the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2011 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’s fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq – while transforming to the brigade-centric Modular Force.The AUSA meeting – highlighting the "Profession of Arms" – will focus on panel discussions; educational, professional development forums; and special multimedia presentations and workshops that will reinforce, examine and showcase the Army, the soldier and the Army family. Walter E. Washington Convention Center and hotelsThis year the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition will occupy the entire Walter E. Washington Convention Center, for the first time in the nine years that it has been held at the center.Both levels of exhibit space will be occupied with displays from the U.S. Army and the national defense industry, with over 700,000 square feet of displays.AUSA officials said the Association has also added new international pavilions, with displays from Germany, Britain, France, Canada, Australia, Israel, Denmark, and South Korea."This represents almost a 50 percent increase in exhibits over last year at the nation’s foremost defense industry expo," an official said.Association officials said this year’s three-day forum will emphasize "AUSA’s important educational and professional role in supporting the warfighting and transforming Army – active, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve – the men and women who serve, retirees, veterans, Army civilians, ROTC and U.S. Military Academy cadets, contractors – and all their families."The meeting attracts over 36,000 members and guests annually.Only AUSA members may purchase tickets for lunches, dinners and receptions in advance of the meeting. Non-members may purchase tickets to the functions on-site at the Convention Center – if available.Anyone may pre-register for the meeting by visiting the AUSA Web site at www.ausa.org – "Annual Meeting." There is no registration fee. (See ads on Pages and .)Lt. Gen. Roger Thompson, USA, Ret., the Association’s vice president for membership and meetings, said, "This year’s meeting enhances the already powerful professional development opportunity. We have an additional large exhibit area full of new and enhanced military and industry exhibits."Adding, "It’s really a great way to learn about the product and service capabilities available to all soldiers and military organizations. Last year’s meeting had over 36,000 attendees and we expect more this year. Why? – The exhibits and the very informative forum presentations for soldiers of all ranks and Army components, Departments of the Army, civilians, and family members."Almost 100 of our chapters are represented. They come from all over the world – their home."There will be over 600 exhibits – 500 from industry, 100 from the Army, AUSA officials said.Michael Scanlan, AUSA’s director of industry affairs, said, "The interest in this year’s Annual Meeting and Exposition has exceeded all expectations. We have seen a significant increase in industry and Army participation that has filled up the additional halls that we have added this year."Adding, "At this point, we are once again sold out of exhibit space even after adding over 230,000 square feet. This is going to be an incredible meeting."The Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, located within walking distance of the Convention Center, will be the meeting’s official 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(Editor’s note: At press time, the speakers listed below have been invited to address the following functions.)Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, will host the chapter presidents at their dinner Sunday, Oct. 9.The dinner’s speaker is Gen. Keith B. Alexander, director, National Security Agency; chief, Central Security Service, and commanding general, U.S. Cyber Command, who has been invited to brief the Association’s volunteer leadership.On Monday morning, Oct. 10, members of the reserve components will attend the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard and Reserve Breakfast. The speaker for this event was not selected at press time.Following this breakfast, the meeting will officially open with a patriotic presentation by the 3rd U.S. Infantry (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, has been invited to be the meeting’s keynote speaker.Three luncheons will follow the opening session.The Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Luncheon is the venue where the selection of the Army Noncommissioned 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. Peter W. Chiarelli, has been invited to speak at this luncheon.Gen. Robert W. Cone, who commands U.S. Training and Doctrine Command, has been invited to address the ROTC Luncheon for cadets and PMS personnel.AUSA will host the Corporate Member Luncheon also on Monday. The speaker for this event was not selected at press time.There will be a special reception for visiting international dignitaries – hosted Monday evening by the Association’s Industry Affairs Directorate.Monday’s activities conclude with the President’s Reception honoring the secretary of the Army, the Army chief of staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, (invited) and the sergeant major of the Army.On Tuesday, the Association will host the Congressional Staffers Breakfast, where McHugh (invited) will speak to the assembled Hill staffers and Army guests before they tour the exhibit hall.At the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon, Dempsey will deliver his "State of the Army" address to the membership, and the drill sergeants, recruiters of the year and the Advanced Individual Training platoon sergeant of the year will be honored and receive awards.The Army Civilian Professional Development Seminar and a luncheon for civilian employees are on Wednesday.Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal has been invited to address the Army civilians at their special luncheon.Leon Panetta, the secretary of defense, has been invited to speak at the Sustaining Member Luncheon for the Association’s defense industry members on Wednesday. Special events forNCOs and soldiersSgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III will convene the annual Sergeant Major of the Army Conference for sergeants first class and above on Monday morning. The session with staff sergeants and below will convene on Tuesday morning.The NCO Professional Development Forum will be held at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 11, following the Sergeant Major of the Army Conference with staff sergeants and below.This year’s topic is "The Profession of Arms."During this session, NCOs will be briefed by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command on the Noncommissioned Officer Educational System and physical readiness training and testing."This is a unique professional development opportunity for soldiers and NCOs attending the AUSA Annual Meeting. The forum will provide input and feedback to Training and Doctrine Command that will offer more direct responses to both soldier needs and developmental innovations." Command Sgt. Maj. Jimmie W. Spencer, USA, Ret., director of AUSA’s noncommissioned officer and soldier programs, said.NCOs and soldiers will also receive a special tour of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns on Wednesday. ILW forumsTo emphasize the Annual Meeting’s focus as a Professional Development Forum, the Association’s Institute of Land Warfare will conduct an expanded series of Contemporary Military Forums throughout the three-day event.(Editor’s note: All forums will be held in the Convention Center. Dates, times and room numbers will be posted on the "Annual Meeting Schedule" Web page as updated and received, and will appear in the Annual Meeting Program.) ILW papersILW paper presentations are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 9 to 11 a.m. Titles and authors of the papers will be announced at a later date. AUSA booksAUSA’s book program is conducted in cooperation with the Naval Institute Press, Praeger Security International, and The University Press of Kentucky.Selected authors will speak about their books during the Authors’ Forum, Monday, Oct. 10, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Check your Annual Meeting Program for details.Books and authors to be presented include:"Advance and Destroy: Patton as Commander in the Bulge," by John Rickkard. Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (September 2011)."Leadership in Dangerous Situations: A Handbook for the Armed Forces, Emergency Services, and First Responders," by Patrick Sweeney. Publisher: Naval Institute Press (August 2011)."Grab Their Belts to Fight Them: The Viet-Cong’s Big-Unit War Against the U.S., 1965-1966," by Warren Wilkins. Publisher: Naval Institute Press (May 2011)."Beyond Guns and Steel: A War Termination Strategy," by Dominic Caraccilo. Publisher: Praeger Security Studies (January 2011)."The Quiet Professional: Major Richard J. Meadows of the U.S. Army Special Forces," by Alan Hoe. Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (August 2011)."Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam," by Thomas McKenna. Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (August 2011)."Passing the Test: Combat in Korea, April-June 1951," by John Greenwood. Publisher: The University Press of Kentucky (September 2011)."Black Ops, Vietnam: The Operational History of MACVSOG," by Robert Gillespie. Publisher: Naval Institute Press (September 2011).They also will be available throughout the meeting at the AUSA Pavilion – Booth 407, Exhibit Hall A – for book signings.All AUSA books will be sold at the pavilion, and Association members receive discounts of up to one-third off individual AUSA books. AUSA family programsAUSA’s Family Programs Directorate will present four Military Family Forums highlighting important issues and programs that address the impact on military families of repeated deployments and continued stress.In keeping with the Annual Meeting theme "America’s Army: Strength of the Nation," and recognizing the contributions and sacrifice of Army families, the theme for the Military Family Forums is "America’s Families: Strength of the Army."Military Family Forum I: Monday, Oct.10 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. "America’s Families: Our Leaders Speak." Invited speakers include:Secretary of the Army John M. McHughChief of Staff of the Army Gen. and Mrs. Martin DempseyDirector of Army National Guard Maj. Gen. and Mrs. Raymond W. Carpenter (Acting)Chief of the Army Reserve Lt. Gen. and Mrs. Jack C. StultzThis forum will allow Army leaders to provide their perspective on the state of Army families, to include key issues being addressed with the active Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve.Recognition of the AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year will also take place.Military Family Forum II: Tuesday, Oct.11 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. "America’s Families: Ready and Resilient."Topics include:Sustaining Soldiers and Families – Speaker: Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, assistant chief of staff, installation management, and commander, Installation Management Command.Military Spouse Employment and Education.Identifying, Preventing and Available Resources for the Prevention of Domestic Violence within the Army Family.Teen presenters from the Backpack Journalist Program – A two-day journalism, reporting and broadcast workshop for military youth ages 14-17 who will discuss the positive impact this program has had for them by providing an outlet to address emotional issues caused by having a family member deployed – as well as the opportunity it provides to develop writing, journalism, photography and reporting skills.The first runner up AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year will also be recognized for their contributions to the military community.Military Family Forum III: Tuesday, Oct. 11 from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m. "America’s Families: Honoring Our Survivors."Topics include:Update on Current Legislative Issues Concerning Surviving Families.The Impact of a Service Members’ Death on the Military family: A National Study of Bereavement by the Uniformed Services University Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress –Dr. Steven Cozza and Dr. Jill Harrington-LaMorie.Survivor Outreach Services Lessons Learned.Symbols of Honor and Recognition.Video Presentation Featuring Surviving Army Family Members.This forum will address key issues and concerns raised by survivors and also provide information to help army families be better prepared.Military Family Forum IV, Wednesday, Oct 12, 9:30 a.m. to noon. "America’s Families: The Community Embrace."Topics include:Community Covenant – Beyond the Signing Ceremony.Building Support Near Installations.Building Capacity for Geographically Dispersed Families – Speakers: Rae Pike, Madison, Fla., and Julianne Sanford, Jacksonville, Texas.Building Community Networks – One Community at a Time.Inspiring Advocating and Connecting.This forum will highlight the Army’s Community Covenant shift to emphasize the establishment of local Community Support Networks (CSN), underscore local CSN lessons learned and bring attention to what the Army National Guard and Army Reserve are doing to inspire their local communities.There will also be recognition of second runner up AUSA Volunteer Family of the Year acknowledging their contributions to Army families.A short video presentation of specific Annual Meeting events and interviews prepared by the students of the Backpack Journalist programs will end the Family Forum series.There will be a question and answer session following each Family Forum. Online registration is available at www.udreg.com/ausa/family/ .Early registration for the Military Family Forums is strongly encouraged to help us provide the best seating options for all attendees. For updated information on Military Family Forum presentations please visit www.ausa.org/family or call (800)336-4570, Ext. 151. Retiree activitiesRetiree Seminar, Monday, Oct. 10. Representatives from Army Retirement Services and "My Army Benefits" have been invited to attend.An SBP/Pre-Retirement Briefing, 9 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12, will be conducted by the Department of the Army Retirement Services Office.Questions on these sessions should be directed to AUSA’s Sgt. Maj. Leroy Bussells, USA, Ret., 1-(800) 336-4570, Ext. 678, or email: lbussells@ausa.org. Marshall dinnerCareer Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker, who was called out of retirement from the United States Foreign Service by President Obama to serve as ambassador to Afghanistan, will receive the Association’s highest award for selfless service to the nation, the George Catlett Marshall Medal, at the Marshall dinner on Wednesday night.He will also address the dinner, the Annual Meeting’s closing event. Annual Meeting informationFor up-to-date information and "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" on the 2011 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – go to the AUSA Annual Meeting Web site at www.ausa.org.