Trusted Professionals – Today and Tomorrow," the theme of the Association of the United States Army’s 2014 Annual Meeting and Exposition, will set the tone for speeches, industry and military exhibits, and special presentations from senior Defense Department and Army leaders on subjects relating to today’s Army and the Army of the future.The AUSA meeting – A Professional Development Forum – will focus on panel discussions; Contemporary Military Forums; Military Family Forums; and special multimedia presentations and educational workshops that reinforce, examine and showcase the Army – the profession of arms – the soldier and the Army family.Walter E. Washington Convention Center – Marriott MarquisThis year the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition will – for the fourth consecutive year – occupy the entire Walter E. Washington Convention Center as the Association celebrates its 12th year in this state-of-the-art facility.Both levels of exhibit space will be occupied with displays from the U.S. Army and the national defense industry.There are also international pavilions with displays from Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Australia, Israel, Republic of Korea, Turkey and the Czech Republic.The new Marriott Marquis DC Hotel, located directly across from the Convention Center, will be the meeting’s headquarters hotel.Pavilions highlight small business, veteran hiring eventAUSA is once again offering small businesses, including Association corporate members, an opportunity to showcase their products and services to approximately 29,000 attendees from around the world, including senior leaders from the Army, the Department of Defense and Congress.To qualify, your company must be classified as a "small business," as defined by the Small Business Administration, and be a first-time exhibitor at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.Exhibit space in the Small Business Pavilion is very affordable and the membership fee requirement is waived during the first year.Please note that space is being offered on a first-come, first-served basis and is now almost sold out.For more information, please visit our website: http://ausameetings.org/2014annualmeeting/ or contact Rand Meade, AUSA’s exhibit manager, at (703) 907-2678 or rmeade@ausa.org.Veterans Career Hiring Event PavilionThe Association of the United States Army has once again partnered with the American Freedom Foundation to host the second Warriors To The Workforce Hiring Event presented by SourceAmerica™ for veterans, held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and Exposition.Held Oct. 13-15 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, this no-charge opportunity is part of the American Freedom Foundation’s nationwide initiative to help veterans find jobs.The event brings together major companies from throughout the country to profile their services and provide employment opportunities for our veterans.Attending veterans have the chance to talk with employers, submit qualifications and even participate in job interviews on the spot.In addition to hiring opportunities, Warriors To The Workforce will include a variety of workshops for veterans each day providing resources and information on subjects such as mental readiness, confidence building, networking and presentation skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, job searching, career planning through goal setting, and translating military skills and training into civilian life and corporate experience, among others.Professional Development Forum"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," an AUSA spokesman said.Focusing on the "Profession of Arms," the meeting attracts approximately 29,000-plus 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, when available.Anyone may pre-register for the meeting by visiting the AUSA website at www.ausa.org. There is no registration fee.Lt. Gen. Roger Thompson, USA, Ret., the Association’s vice president for membership and meetings, said, "AUSA’s long and distinguished record of supporting the Army with the Annual Meeting and Exposition continues. We’re very proud of the wide variety of opportunities this show presents."We are honored to conduct this year’s Annual Meeting and Exposition in support of the United States Army, its soldiers, civilians, and families."Thompson added, "We will continue to offer a Hiring Event and Army Small Business Seminar in special exhibit areas."We are also adding a Department of Homeland Security and Army Homeland Security Seminar and exhibits area. Finally, there will be an Innovation Area on the exhibit floor."He noted, "The Annual Meeting remains a dynamic and unique opportunity for professional development and interaction with the companies whose products and services have enabled the Army throughout years of war."We are excited that the Army intends to include many key personnel from Army locations worldwide and thousands of attendees from the national capital region."Adding, "Our volunteer chapters will also be well represented at the Annual Meeting. They provide troops and families around the world with excellent support."Program highlights(Editor’s note: At press time, the speakers listed below have been invited by AUSA to address our functions)Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, USA, Ret., AUSA president, will host the chapter presidents at their dinner Sunday, Oct. 12.The invited dinner speaker, the commanding general, U.S Army Forces Command (to be designated), will brief the Association’s volunteer leadership.On Monday morning, Oct. 13, members of the reserve components will attend the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead Guard and Reserve Breakfast.At this event, the Walter T. Kerwin Jr. awards to the outstanding Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve battalion-size units will be presented.Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commanding general, U.S. Army Pacific, has been invited to 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.Three luncheons will follow the opening session.The U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Recognition Luncheon is the venue where the Army Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and Soldier of the Year will be recognized.The Army vice chief of staff (to be designated), will speak at this luncheon.Gen. David Perkins, who commands U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, will address the ROTC Luncheon for cadets and PMS personnel.AUSA also will host the Corporate Member Luncheon on Monday. The invited speaker is the commanding general, U.S. Materiel Command, Gen. Dennis Via.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 Secretary 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 Hill staffers and Army guests before they tour the exhibit hall.CW5 David Williams, Army staff senior warrant officer, Office, Chief of Staff of the Army, will preside at a professional development seminar for warrant officers on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.At the Dwight D. Eisenhower Luncheon, Odierno will deliver his "State of the Army" address to the membership.At this event, the drill sergeants and recruiters of the year will receive awards.Reserve componentsThe chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, will convene a seminar for U.S. Army Reserve personnel on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons, acting director of the Army National Guard, will hold a seminar for Army National Guard personnel on the same day from 2:30 to 4 p.m.From 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, the command sergeant major of the Army Reserve, Luther Thomas Jr., will hold a breakout session for Army Reserve NCOs and soldiers, and also on Tuesday, from 4 to 5 p.m., the command sergeant major of the Army National Guard, Brunk Conley, will conduct a breakout session.Army civiliansThe Army Civilian Professional Development Seminar will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15, followed by the Department of the Army Civilian Luncheon starting at noon.Brad Carson, under secretary of the Army, has been invited to speak at the civilian luncheon.Sustaining Member LuncheonSecretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has been invited to speak at the Sustaining Member Luncheon for the Association’s defense industry members on Wednesday, Oct. 15.Special events for NCOs and soldiersSgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III will convene the annual Sergeant Major of the Army Conference for Noncommissioned Officers on Monday, Oct. 13 at 7 a.m.The NCO Professional Development Forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 8:30 to 11 a.m.This year’s NCO theme is "The NCO Creed – Leading by Example.""The Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Session is without question a unique opportunity for our soldiers and NCOs attending the 2014 AUSA Annual Meeting."The forum will provide discussion opportunities on subjects that impact our Army and our Noncommissioned Officer Corps as it moves forward into the future," said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, USA, Ret., AUSA’s director of NCO and soldier programs.NCOs, soldiers and their guests will also receive a special tour of Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns on Wednesday, Oct 15 at 9:30 a.m.ILW forumsTo emphasize the Annual Meeting’s focus as a Professional Development Forum, the Association’s Institute of Land Warfare will conduct a series of Contemporary Military Forums.Scheduled at press time are:"Profession of Arms""Leader Development – Human Optimism""Strategic Landpower and the Global Landpower Network""Pacific Pathways – Asia Pacific Rebalance""Regionally Aligned Forces and Global Engagement""Force 2025 and Beyond""Increasing Cyber Capabilities""Modernization""Army Total Force Policy ""Defense Support to Civil Authorities: Disaster Relief/Response and Humanitarian Assistance"(Editor’s note: All forums will be held in the Convention Center. Dates, participants, times, topics and room numbers will be posted on the "Annual Meeting Schedule" webpage as updated, and will appear in the Annual Meeting Program.)AUSA booksAUSA’s book program is conducted in cooperation with the Naval Institute Press, Routledge and The Kentucky University Press.Selected authors will speak about their books during the Authors’ Forum, Monday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 5 p.m.Books and authors to be presented include:"The Schlieffen Plan: International Perspectives on the German Strategy for World War I" (Foreign Military Studies), English translation edited by Gerhard P. Gross, Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (Oct. 20, 2014)"Medics at War: Military Medicine from Colonial Times to the 21st Century," by John T. Greenwood with F. Clifton Berry Jr., Re-published by: Association of the U.S. Army (2013)"An Unsung Soldier: The Life of General Andrew J. Goodpaster," by Robert S. Jordan, Published by: Naval Institute Press (Sept. 15, 2013)"Sylvia Rafael: The Life and Death of a Mossad Spy" (Foreign Military Studies), by Moti Kfir, Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (Sept. 19, 2014)"Alvin York: A New Biography of the Hero of the Argonne," by Douglas V. Mastriano, Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (March 5, 2014)"Soldier in the Sinai: A General’s Account of the Yom Kippur War" (Foreign Military Studies), by Maj. Gen. Emanuel Sakal, IDF, Ret. Published by: The University Press of Kentucky (Oct. 20, 2014)"The Story of Black Military Officers, 1861-1948" (Routledge Studies in African American History), by Krewasky A. Salter I, Published by: Routledge (Jan. 13, 2014)Books and authors 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 ForumsAUSA will conduct its Military Family Forums at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Oct. 13 – 15.Military Family Forum I, "Senior Leader’s Update and Town Hall," will be held on Monday, Oct. 13, from 1 to 4 p.m.This will feature Army senior leaders from both the active and reserve components offering their views on the status of the Army family and Army family programs. Leaders will answer questions from in-house and virtual audiences.Invited guests include John McHugh, secretary of the Army; Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army chief of staff; Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond Chandler III; and Anthony J. Stamilio, deputy assistant secretary of the Army, manpower and reserve affairs, civilian personnel/quality of life.Also invited are: Lt. Gen. David Halverson, commanding general, Installation Management Command and assistant chief of staff, installation management; Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, Army surgeon general and commanding general, U. S. Army Medical Command; Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons director, Army National Guard; and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief, Army Reserve.A highlight of Military Family Forum I will be the introduction and award presentation to the 2014 AUSA Family of the Year.This award, sponsored by Express Scripts, Federal Pharmacy Services, will feature the winner during a recognition ceremony which will include top Army leaders.Military Family Forum II: "Family Transitions: Supporting You through Your Military Life Journey" will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m.This forum will feature panelists and presentations updating the audience on the various Army family programs which support Army families through successful navigation of their military family experience.Invited guests include representatives from Army G-9, Soldier for Life, Military Spouse Program, Hiring Our Heroes, U. S. Chamber of Commerce, and others.On Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 9 to noon, the third and last forum, Military Family Forum III, " The Future of Our Military Children" will feature contributors from the Future of Children: Military Children and Families, a Princeton – Brookings publication.Issues such as economic conditions of military families, building communities of care for military children and families, and the effects of injury or combat death on families will be deliberated.Speakers will discuss the transformation of research to practice and highlight examples and programs currently utilized to support the well-being of our military kids.For those not able to attend, AUSA is providing a LIVESTREAM option for each of the forums.Go to www.ausa.org/family for information on how to join us online.Seating is limited therefore pre-registration is encouraged. Register at: www.udreg.com/ausa/.Family PavilionAUSA will also host the Family Pavilion in the Convention Center’s Exhibit Hall C.This pavilion features organizations currently supporting military families. Exhibit hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.For questions or help with registration, contact the Family Readiness staff at 1-(800) 336-4570, Ext. 2684, or by e-mailing familyprograms@ausa.org.Retiree activitiesThere are three special events scheduled for retirees and veterans at the Annual Meeting.The Retiree Seminar, Monday, Oct. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m., will feature presentations by Army Retirement Services and VA Benefits Services. The seminar will take place in Room 103B of the Convention Center.Military Retirement Planning Seminars: Briefings on Preparation for Retirement will be conducted on Tuesday, Oct.14, 2–4 p.m., and Wednesday, Oct. 15, 10–11 a.m.The sessions will focus on retirement planning, and will provide valuable information for those who counsel subordinates on retirement.The Department of the Army Retirement Services Office will conduct these sessions. The sessions will be held in room 103B of the Convention Center.Marshall dinnerCoach Michael Krzyzewski, Duke University, 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 2014 Annual Meeting and Exposition – A Professional Development Forum – go to the AUSA Annual Meeting website at www.ausameetings.org/annual, and click on "About."