The AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition will take place 12-14 October 2026 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WEWCC).

Walter E Washington Convention Center
801 Allen Y. Lew Pl, NW
Washington, DC 20001

Registrants should have an "identifiable relationship" with AUSA. As a private association, AUSA reserves the right to deny admission or to cancel any registration without explanation. The following are acceptable relationships:

• AUSA Membership
• Any member of the Armed Forces or their immediate family (aged 13 and above)
• Employee of an exhibiting company
• Employee of an AUSA National Partner or Community Partner
• Civilian or contracted employee of the Federal Government
• Member of a designated U.S. military or veteran association
• Member of the military forces of foreign nations, or civilian embassy employees
• Military Cadet (service academies or JROTC/ROTC, OCS)
• Media
• Member of a Federal, State, Tribal or municipal law enforcement agency, a firefighter, or an EMT/EMS

Not a member? Join AUSA Now: AUSA Membership

Children under the age of 13 are not permitted at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Children between aged 13 ‐ 18 must be registered, wear an annual meeting badge, and must be accompanied by an adult. No one under 18 is permitted in the exhibit halls during non-show hours. Please contact the AUSA Operations Center if you have questions.

Please check the on-line program as events may have changed locations from previous years. Events are within WEWCC and at the Marriott Marquis.

The Opening Ceremony, President's Reception, Eisenhower Lunch, and Marshall Dinner will take place in the Ballroom on Level Three of the WEWCC. The Ballroom events will be live streamed at https://www.ausa.org/livestreams.

The Annual Meeting dress code is informal except for the black-tie, Marshall Dinner on 14 October 2026. Please see this link for a detailed dress code Dress Code.

All Registration hours and locations can be found here!

All attendees will receive a digital access pass with their completed registration. You may download the pass to your mobile wallet for ease in picking up a printed badge. The digital access pass may also be used in lieu of a printed badge to enter educational sessions and forums. A printed badge is required for entry to the exhibit halls and ticketed functions.

Tickets to social events can be purchased during attendee registration. Online ticket sales will close on 16 September 2026. After that date, tickets can be purchased on-site for events that have not sold out. You may add tickets to your registration order until 16 September by logging into the Registration Resource Center (RRC). You may find a direct link to the RRC in your registration confirmation email. Pricing and other information about social event tickets can be found here: AM26 Social Events.

The exhibit halls are open from 0900-1700 each day.

Exhibits will be held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center (WEWCC). Halls A, B, and C are located on the lower level, while Halls D and E are on the upper level.

To exhibit at the Annual Meeting, organizations must hold a National Partner membership, with the exception of first-time small businesses. For inquiries about reserving exhibit space for 2027, please email AnnualExhibits@ausa.org

Housing will sell out. You may find information on room blocks here: AM26 Housing

Parking is not available at the WEWCC. There are several-parking facilities within a 3-block radius. Attendees are encouraged to plan their trip using Metrorail. The center is serviced directly by the Mt Vernon Square/7th Street Convention Center station on the Yellow & Green lines. The Blue, Orange, and Red lines are also a few blocks from the center. Annual Meeting hotels are within a 10-minute walk from the WEWCC. Taxi and ride-share services drop-off is at the Allen Lew Place (front) entrance of the WEWCC.

See travel options here: Getting There.

The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC is located at 901 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001. There is an underground walkway to the Convention Center on M2 level of the Marriott Marquis. You must be pre-registered for the annual meeting to access the corridor. The connector will be open during these hours:

• Sunday, 11 Oct ‐ 0600-2200
• Monday, 12 Oct ‐ 0600-2200
• Tuesday, 13 Oct ‐ 0600-2030
• Wednesday, 14 Oct ‐ 0600-2230
• Thursday, 15 Oct ‐ 0600-1500

Yes. You may connect at the WEWCC, no password necessary. AUSA does not take responsibility for the security of this Wi-Fi connection.

All concessions and hours of operation can be found here: Concessions Schedule

Nursing Mother Pods (Mamava Pods) are in the L Street Concourses on both sides of the WEWCC. Visit the AUSA Information Booths for assistance and the entry code.

The changing room is in Salon E, near East Salon. The AUSA information booth at Allen Lew Place entrance will have a key. Do not leave personal items in this room, it is for public use. Personal items may be checked in at coat and bag check.

Coat and Bag Checks ‐ 2 locations, $5.50 per day

Grand Lobby, West Salon

• Monday, 12 Oct ‐ 0800-2230
• Tuesday, 13 Oct ‐ 0800-2230
• Wednesday, 14 Oct ‐0800-2230

Exhibit Hall C entrance on the Concourse level

• Monday, 12 Oct ‐ 0800-1800
• Tuesday, 13 Oct ‐ 0800-1800
• Wednesday, 14 Oct ‐ 0800-1800

Pop-up meeting spaces for groups of 20 or less, for up to one are are available for reservation starting on Sunday, 11 October. Please see this page for meeting space information: Pop-up Meeting Rooms.

Speakers for major events at AUSA's Annual Meeting (such as the Opening Ceremony and the Eisenhower Luncheon) are drawn from the Army leadership (e.g., the Secretary of the Army, the Army Chief of Staff, the Sergeant Major of the Army); Army leaders and their spouses also speak at AUSA Warfighter and Family Forum events, along with individuals from organizations and entities active in the support of Soldiers and their families. The Contemporary Military Forums address the Army's most immediate issues; this dictates that we obtain our speakers from within the Army and the larger defense community. The speakers for these Forums and other events at AUSA's Annual Meeting will be determined (as they are every year) in coordination with the office of the Army Chief of Staff. Once the panel leaders are identified, the composition of each panel will be determined either by the Office of the Chief of Staff or by the panel leaders themselves.

The AUSA Book Presentations feature authors whose works have been published as an AUSA book by either of our publishing partners (e.g., Potomac Books and the Naval Institute Press). Please direct questions or submissions to education@ausa.org.

This year's schedule can be found here: AM26 agenda.

The American Freedom Foundation's Your Next Missionâ„¢ will hold a hiring event in Hall A, Booth 161, at the WEWCC. More information can be found here: Your Next Mission™.

AUSA's Family Readiness Directorate will host three Warfighter and Family Forums (Room 146AB). The Warfighter and Family Forums are open to all Annual Meeting attendees with a badge. Seating for the Warfighter and Family Forums fill quickly so early arrival is encouraged. Proper attire is required in accordance with the AM 2026 dress code. There will be a Family Readiness Pavilion in the Exhibit Hall featuring a variety of organizations which support military families. Children under 13 are not permitted at the annual meeting.

Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve personnel attending program sessions are authorized one retirement credit for each day's attendance if at least four hours are spent in program sessions in uniform (reference NGR 680-2 and Army Regulations 140-1 and 140-185). Recommend personnel be placed on orders in a non-pay status to document time.

Professional Development

AUSA's commitment to professional development includes seminars and special presentations on the issues affecting today's Army. Please refer to the agenda for the latest schedule and for retirement points credit.

Children under the age of 13 are not permitted at the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exhibition. Children between aged 13 ‐ 18 must be registered, wear an event badge, and must be accompanied by an adult. No one under 18 is permitted in the exhibit halls during non-show hours. Please contact the AUSA Operations Center if you have questions.

AUSA's Annual Meeting fully complies with the Department of Justice's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure equal opportunities for persons with disabilities possible. If you require assistance, please notify the AUSA security office in Room 160 or call 202-249-4045.

AUSA is the lead sponsor of the Army Ten Miler on Sunday, 11 October 2025, starting at the Pentagon. For more information on how to register or volunteer at the ATM, please visit the Army Ten-Miler website.

Neighborhoods surrounding the convention center include Mt Vernon Square, Shaw, Chinatown, NoMA, Downtown, City Center, Logan Circle, and Penn Quarter. Refer to DestinationDC or Open Table for more information.

The following guides will help you find more information about the local attractions, dining, and entertainment.

Walter E. Washington Convention Center: Comprehensive visitor information about the Washington, D.C. Convention Center.

Smithsonian Institution: Information about visiting the Smithsonian Institute's museums and the National Zoo.

Destination DC: Guide to the area in and around our nation's capital.

The Washington Post: The region's leading newspaper.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (METRO): The area's public transit system. Information on buses and trains, including fares, routes, schedules and using the Metro system.