The first day of the largest annual land warfare exposition in North America features a keynote address by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, the unveiling of the winners of the Army’s Best Squad Competition, and much more.

The Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition is being held for the 20th time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The three-day in-person event will take place Oct. 9–11 and feature more than 750 exhibits in five halls on both levels of the convention center.

“Be All You Can Be” is the theme of this year’s meeting, highlighting how the Army is innovating and adapting to operate in an evolving and complex world.

From recruiting, retention and talent management, to training and equipping the force for a multidomain fight, the Army is focused on transforming for 2030 and beyond.

These efforts are expected to be the focus of Wormuth’s keynote speech during the opening ceremony, which begins at 9:30 a.m. in the conference center ballroom. During the opening ceremony, AUSA will unveil its new logo, aimed at refreshing the association’s brand after having the same logo since 1954.

Winners of the Best Squad Competition and the Soldier of the Year and NCO of the Year will be announced during a luncheon hosted by Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston. Lt. Gen. Walter Piatt, director of the Army Staff, is scheduled to speak at the event.

Gen. Andrew Poppas, commander of Army Forces Command, will speak at the Maj. Gen. Robert G. Moorhead National Guard and Army Reserve Breakfast, while Gen. Gary Brito, commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command, will speak at the Army Cadet Luncheon.

An afternoon forum titled “Be All You Can Be—Attracting Talent for the 21st Century” will feature Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, Lt. Gen. Douglas Stitt, deputy Army chief of staff for personnel, G-1, Maj. Gen. Johnny Davis, commander of Army Recruiting Command and Brian Griepentrog, executive vice president of Fors Marsh.

Douglas Bush, assistant Army secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology, and Gen. James Rainey, commander of Army Futures Command, will lead a second forum, titled “Transforming for the Future Fight.”

There also will be a military family forum titled “Transforming Army Prevention, Care, Education and Quality of Life.” Speakers include Lt. Gen. Kevin Vereen, deputy Army chief of staff for installations, G-9, and Dee Geise, director of the Directorate of Prevention, Resilience and Readiness.

A Leader Solarium hosted by George and organized by AUSA’s Center for Leadership will take place in conjunction with the Annual Meeting. About 160 specially selected soldiers are expected to attend. They will hear from Army leaders and civilian subject-matter experts, engage in small group discussions and provide feedback to senior Army leaders on opportunities and challenges facing the Army.

Presentations at the Warriors Corner, at the Army exhibit in Booth 6927 in Hall D, include discussions on installation management, human-machine integrated formations, Operation Pathways in the Indo-Pacific, the National Guard’s State Partnership Program and more.

At Innovator’s Corner, Booth 2261 in Hall B, the Army xTech Program will showcase winners and finalists from its technology search, with companies showing off new solutions to Army problems.

There also will be a veterans hiring event called “Your Next Mission.” Formerly known as Warriors To The Workforce, it will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day of the annual meeting at Booth 161 in Hall A. The free event aims to help veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find employment.

Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. The exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s hashtag is #AUSA2023.

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