America’s Army: the Strength of the Nation
Your 2008 AUSA National Meeting Agenda
Sunday, October 5 through Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Data as of August 20, 2008
Introduction
The 2008 AUSA National Meeting - our association’s 51st annual - will take place from 6-8 October at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. The Center address is 801 Mount Vernon Place, Washington, DC20001, and located between 7th and 9th Streets and between N Street and New York Avenue in the federal district area. The Center provides only very limited parking and so attendees are strongly encouraged to use Washington Metro. The Center is serviced directly by the Yellow Line at the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center station. Other stations on the Blue, Orange and Red lines are within several blocks of the Center.
General Admission, Registration and Event Ticket Purchases
General admission to an AUSA national meeting is free, but all attendees must register. The AUSA support system works best when chapter members to register and purchase event tickets THROUGH THEIR CHAPTER. Simply stated, we do the legwork for those who register and make their event ticket purchases through this chapter. We complete each member’s registration, pick up their name tags, event tickets and chapter awards ribbons, and assemble individual packets available as our members arrive.
Those who register through the AUSA National Association on-line website will need to pick up their Name Tags and Event Tickets at AUSA’s Will Call in the main lobby of the Washington Convention Center.
Those who have not registered at all will need to do so at any of the registration tables operated by AUSA National in the Washington Convention Center.
AUSA’s national support system only provides chapter awards ribbons that can be worn on member name tags to those who register through the chapter.
If you register with us, be sure to check your registration status by going to this website (www.forthoodausa.org) and clicking on the 2008 National Meeting icon. We will be posting the names of all attendees registered through the chapter and, unless we are instructed to do otherwise, their lodging site and ticketed events they plan to attend..
What to wear
For Non-active Military Attendees: Generally speaking, business attire is appropriate for non-active military participants - with two exceptions. They are our Tuesday night Chapter Reception, where we hope everyone will wear Texas Casual, and the Wednesday night Marshall Reception and Dinner where formal attire is appropriate.
For Active Military Attendees: Military attendees participating in any panel or forum will wear Class A Uniform during those panel or forum periods, Dress Blues if attending the Marshall Reception and/or Dinner, and Texas Casual for our chapter’s Tuesday night Chapter reception. At other times, dress would be as directed by their respective commanders.
Sponsor Support
While individuals attend national meetings at no cost, this is not true for chapters. In 2008, our chapter will incur expenses while (1.) assisting Fort Hood junior Soldier participants, (2.) transporting chapter attendees to regional events, (3.) hosting our chapter’s always spectacular Tuesday night reception and (4.) proudly proclaiming Fort Hood and Central Texas as “The Great Place.” As in the past, we will need to ask our community for support.
What hotel will we use as our headquarters
The national association will be based at the Renaissance Hotel, immediately across the street from the Convention Center. Because of cost, we will not have a separate chapter hospitality suite at the Renaissance but instead will use the Renaissance Hotel’s lobby area and ground floor bars or restaurants as our informal gathering place (that has worked well in each of the past three years).
Twenty five hotels are being used by the national association to house the more than 27,000+ expected attendees.
Just before we go!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
1730-1900: Just before we depart for Washington D.C., we are planning to meet at the Oveta Culp Hobby Soldier & Family Center (Bldg 18000) on Fort Hood to go over final details of the Chapter's agenda, to pass out the Chapter Shirts and to answer any questions related to our trip to Washington, D.C.
When We Arrive!
This year’s meeting agenda is still being finalized - but here are some details that will help in initial planning.
Friday, October 3, 2008
1400-2000: Army Ten-Miler Packet Pickup. Only for runners. Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA
1400-2000: Army Ten-Miler New Balance EXPO. Only for Runners. Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA
Saturday, October 4: 2008:
Many of us will travel to DC on Saturday in order to attend the Army 10 Miler early on Sunday morning. No chapter-directed activities are planned for Saturday. Members are encouraged to buddy-up and enjoy our Capitol city.
0800-1630: Army Ten Miler Participant Packet Pick-Up. Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA.
0800-1630: Army Ten-Miler New Balance EXPO. Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel Arlington, VA
1900-2030: GEICO Pre-Race Participants’ Pasta Dinner - “All-You-Can-Eat”. Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Arlington, VA
Sunday, October 5, 2008:
Morning: The 24th annual Army Ten-Miler. The race begins at 8:00 a.m., but to see the opening ceremonies and start of the race, you should be there no later than 7:30 a.m. If you just want to browse the Hooah Tents, you can arrive at 8:00 a.m.
Chapter members are encouraged to take the Metro or share a taxi to the Pentagon where we will cheer our soldiers on - and have a great time. Because of the race layout and increased security, you won’t be able to get a vehicle closer than about 2-3 blocks from the Pentagon. Be prepared to walk up to 3 city blocks as you make your way to the race route. During and after the race, all in our chapter – military and civilian alike - are invited to our chapter’s Ten Miler hospitality tent. If you take cameras, backpacks, coolers or large bags, you will be directed to a different entrance with a more detailed security check. Your photo identification, hotel room key and cash in your pocket might be all you want to bring.
1430: Transportation to Fort Myer. All who registered through the chapter may wish to board buses from the Renaissance Hotel for LTG Thurman’s quarters at Fort Myer.
1500-1700: Texas Reception for Friends of Fort Hood. All who registered through the chapter are invited to the home of LTG J.D. and Mrs. Dee Thurman at Quarters #2, Fort Myer for another in our always most appreciated Sunday afternoon receptions.
NLT 1700: Transportation to the Renaissance Hotel. Buses return us from Fort Myer.
Throughout the Evening: No chapter-directed activities are planned. Enjoy our Capitol city. If you can, invite a Soldier or two to join you for dinner.
Monday, October 6, 2008:
0900-1700: Exhibits Open. Halls A, B and C.
0930-1115: Opening Session - “ America’s Army: The Strength of the Nation”: Speakers are expected to include Secretary of the Army Pete Geren and AUSA National President, General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan; and we will be formally recognized as AUSA's Best Chapter during this session. As in past years, we will stake out a specific section for our chapter; but we can’t hold these seats forever; so attendees are encouraged to assemble before 0910 to secure a seat.
1230-1400: Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Luncheon. Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Luncheon. General Officers, Command Sergeants Major, other selected NCOs and our Outstanding Soldier and NCO of the Year then attend the Sergeant Major of the Army Awards Luncheon. SPC Alexander Elkassamani, an Infantryman from 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, will represent US Forces Command as its Soldier of the Year. Speaker - General Peter W. Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff, US Army. Ticket Required.
1230-1400: Corporate Member Luncheon. Again this year, this luncheon will be sponsored by AUSA, without cost to attendees. Our chapter will be given a limited number of tickets for distribution. Speaker - General William E. Ward, Commander, US Africa Command.
1230–1700: AUSA Book Program. Author presentations; more data to follow.
1300–1700: Various ILW Contemporary Military Forums. Topics and Speakers: TBA
1400–1600: Retiree Seminar Presentations. Army Retirement Services, Retired Pay – DFAS, CRSC for Chapter 61 Retirees. More data to follow.
1400–1630: AUSA Military Family Forum I. “Army Family Covenant: A Year in Review,” Speaker: GEN George W. Casey, Jr.. Chief of Staff, United States Army. More data to follow.
1500 - 1700: NCO Army National Guard and Army Reserve Breakout Sessions. More data to follow.
1800: Chapter Group Photo. Chapter members assemble in the Grand Lobby of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center so that we may take a chapter photo. We will then proceed to the President's Reception.
1830-2015: AUSA President’s Reception. This reception honors the Secretary of the Army, Army Chief of Staff, and Sergeant Major of the Army. Business Dress. Ticket Required.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008:
0800-1100: Chapter Presidents & Delegates Workshop. Attendance limited to chapter Presidents and delegates.
0800–1200 Various ILW Contemporary Military Forums. Topics and Speakers: TBA. More data to follow.
0830–1100 AUSA Military Family Forum II. “Strengthening Soldiers and Families Through Community Partnerships.” Speakers: TBA. More data to follow.
0900-1700: Exhibit Open. Halls A, B and C.
1000–1200 NCO Professional Development Forum. “Noncommissioned Officer Educational Development Update.” Speaker: CSM David M. Bruner, TRADOC. More data to follow.
1100–1200 Chief, Army Reserve Seminar. Speaker: LTG Jack C. Stultz, Jr., Chief, Army Reserve/Commander, United States Army Reserve Command. More data to follow.
1130-1215: Dwight David Eisenhower Reception. Exhibit Halls A, B & C.
1230-1400: Dwight David Eisenhower Luncheon. Speaker - General George W. Casey, Army Chief of Staff. Ticket Required.
1630-1830: Chapter Reception Set-Up Time. If you have free time, we could use your help setting up for our Texas Reception at the Renaissance Hotel.
1900-2100: Our always spectacular “ Texas Friendly Spoken Here” Reception. We will spend two hours in one-on one discussion with our nation’s senior military and civilian leadership.
Everyone in our Chapter’s delegation, from our most junior Soldier to our most senior Civic or Military Officials, is invited.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008:
0900-1600: Exhibits Open. Halls A, B and C.
0900–1100: Pre-Retirement/Survivor Benefit Plan Briefing. More data to follow.
0930-1530: National Capitol Tour for NCOs and Soldiers. NCOs and Soldiers will visit Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns and receive a windshield tour of the Washington, DC area.
0930–1130: Army Civilian Professional Development Seminar. “Army Civilians in an Era of Persistent Conflict.” Speakers: TBA. Renaissance Hotel, Washington, D.C.
0930–1200: AUSA Military Family Forum III. “Dealing with the Effects of Persistent Conflict.” Speakers: Brad Booth, Ph.D., ICF International & Suzanne Lederer, Ph.D., ICF International.
1200-1400: Department of the Army Civilian Luncheon. Speaker: The Honorable Nelson M. Ford, Acting Under Secretary of the Army & ASA (Financial Management and Comptroller). Grand Ballroom, Renaissance Hotel. Ticket Required.
1300–1700: Various ILW Contemporary Military Forums. Topics and Speakers: TBA. More data to follow.
1800-2000: The George Catlett Marshall Reception: Halls C, D & E of the Washington Convention Center. Ticket Required.
2000-2300: The George Catlett Marshall Dinner. Main Ballroom, Washington Convention Center. The Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, 64th U.S. Secretary of State, will receive this year’s Marshall Medal. (Ticketed Event).
Heading Home
That’s it. Be safe traveling back home – and give us your feedback as to whether this meeting met your expectations - what you particularly enjoyed – and what we might have done differently. Remember, we get to do this again next year!
