Registration is now open for the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2023 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

The in-person event will take place Oct. 9–11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Attendees also can register for housing, which opened in June.

During the annual meeting, professional development forums and addresses by top military leaders will focus on the continued transformation of the Army and its efforts to attract and retain talent.

“We’ve accomplished a lot this year, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said earlier this year.

The Army is in the middle of its biggest transformation in 40 years, with ambitious programs that aim to prepare the force for 2030 and beyond. It also is working to maintain its present-day readiness, as soldiers are in high demand at home and overseas. In Europe, thousands of American soldiers are bolstering NATO allies and training Ukrainian troops locked in a monthslong war with Russia. Soldiers also are busy in the Indo-Pacific, building partnerships and training with allies in the region in a bid to deter aggression from countries such as China and North Korea.

The service also continues its battle to recruit qualified young men and women—Army recruiting is facing one of its toughest challenges since the creation of the all-volunteer force 50 years ago. The number of qualified young adults is shrinking, as is the pool of young people interested in serving.

Additionally, the Army is set to welcome new senior leaders, with Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael Grinston slated to retire in August. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George has been nominated to be the next Army chief of staff. He must still be confirmed by the Senate. Sgt. Maj. Michael Weimer, former senior enlisted leader for Army Special Operations Command, has been selected to succeed Grinston.

Overall, the Army is “largely on track” with its transformation priorities, Wormuth said in May. But some restructuring of the force will be needed to be ready to fight and win future wars, she said.

“We do not want a hollow Army,” Wormuth said. Army leaders have been reviewing potential changes in the size of units with the goal of “thinning out” some organizations based on priorities. First responder units need to be fully manned. Others may not, she said.

During the annual meeting, attendees will be able to hear keynote addresses from senior Army leaders, participate in a wide range of forums featuring Army, DoD and industry leaders, view Warriors Corner and Innovators Corner presentations and visit more than 650 exhibits spread over five halls.

Also scheduled are several award presentations, including the winners of the Best Squad Competition, NCO and Soldier of the Year and the Marshall Medal, AUSA’s highest award for selfless service to the country.

The 2023 Marshall Medal recipient is retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, a former Army chief of staff and Department of Veterans Affairs secretary. A combat veteran who was wounded in Vietnam, Shinseki was the first Asian American to achieve the rank of four-star general.

The annual meeting is free, but registration is required. Some seated events require separate reservations and may have a fee.

Updated information will be available here. You can register here. Housing registration is available here.