“Modernizing and Equipping America’s Army for Today and Tomorrow” is the theme for the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2018 Global Force Symposium and Exposition March 26 – 28 in Huntsville, Ala.

This AUSA Institute of Land Warfare professional development forum, held at the Von Braun Center, marks the fifth consecutive year the symposium has taken place in Huntsville, home of more than 900 defense contractors and a military workforce of uniformed and civilian personnel totaling over 65,000.

The Huntsville-based U.S. Army Materiel Command, led by Gen. Gustave Perna, will host the symposium.

Senior Army military and civilian personnel from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Lee, Va.; the U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg N.C.; and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) will attend at the three-day event.

Special presentations coupled with panel discussions from our senior military and industry leaders will address readiness, modernization, sustainment, equipping the force, acquisition, and research and development.

Last year more than 5,500 participants attended, including over 1,000 uniformed and civilian personnel from Army and Defense Department organizations.

There were also over 200 industry and Army exhibits in center’s South/East Halls and outdoor displays. A similar turnout is expected this year.

In addition to the Army Materiel Command, Huntsville is home to the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command; U.S. Army Security Assistance Command; U.S. Army Contracting Command; U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Command; U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

The program and agenda are being developed, but the schedule will include special times set aside to visit the exhibits.

This symposium will explore the capabilities outlined in the Army Operating Concept and how the force transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation for Force 2025 and beyond.

Other important topics at the symposium will be critical points of acquisition, research and development, and partnering between military and industry.

For the Army, this means restructuring military-industrial programs. The Army must take a hard look at its acquisition processes, with an eye towards the future, in order to continue maintaining a competitive overmatch against potential adversaries.

Sponsoring at this year’s Global Force will enhance your presence and visibility at the event.

Sponsorships are designed to enhance your brand identity with important decision makers in the Army, while drawing attention to your organization’s products, services and capabilities.

2018 Global Force Star Sponsors include Northrop Grumman, The Huntsville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and Lockheed Martin.

Most of the exhibit space is booked, although limited opportunities are available.

For more information, please visit http://ausameetings.org/globalforce2018/.