AUSA ILW Global Force Symposium and Exposition - Association of the US Army 2026
Event Date
March 24–26, 2026
Location
Huntsville, AL
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryThe AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition (GFSE) is the Association of the U.S. Army's premier three-day event focused on advancing the Total Army's modernization through collaboration among the military, industry, and academia. Anchored in the Army's Modernization Strategy, it serves as a forum for exploring how the Army evolves to remain agile, adaptive, and lethal amid multi-domain challenges.
The symposium brings together senior Army leaders, defense industry representatives, government personnel, academics, and international military delegations. Programming combines high-level educational sessions with a large exhibition of defense technology and equipment. The 2026 edition's theme, "Delivering Victory: Leveraging the Army's Industrial Might," spotlights the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative — an approach emphasizing iterative, outcomes-focused modernization under realistic operational conditions.
Attendees explore acquisition innovation such as leaner, faster contracting and Modular Open Systems approaches, operational experimentation through rapid field testing and Soldier feedback, and cross-domain collaboration among Army Materiel Command and other key stakeholders. It is worth attending for its direct access to Army decision-makers, its concentration of defense-modernization stakeholders in one venue, and networking opportunities including receptions, a job fair, and a young-professionals forum. Note that GFSE is not open to the general public.
Show Highlights
- 2026 Theme: "Delivering Victory: Leveraging the Army's Industrial Might," spotlighting the Army's Transformation in Contact initiative.
- Educational sessions on acquisition innovation, operational experimentation, and cross-domain collaboration.
- Exhibition halls featuring defense industry technology, with both indoor booths and outdoor exhibit space.
- Generation Next Forum for young professionals.
- Your Next Mission job fair, held in the Saturn Ballroom.
- Networking events, including the Rocket City Bash and networking lunches and receptions.
- Complimentary pop-up meeting rooms available in the South Hall Foyer and Saturn Ballroom, bookable in 30-minute increments during event hours.
- Professional development credit: Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve personnel may receive one retirement credit per day for attending at least four hours of sessions in uniform.
Registration
Registration is completed online through the official AUSA Global Force registration portal, and covers both attendees and exhibitors. GFSE is not open to the public; all registrants must have an "identifiable relationship" with the U.S. Army (e.g., AUSA membership, U.S. or international military/government service, employment with an exhibiting company, or federal contractor status) and must present a government-issued photo ID on-site.
Registration rates for the 2026 event (Early Bird ran 15 December 2025 – 27 February 2026; Regular rates applied 28 February – 24 March 2026):
- All U.S. military and U.S. government personnel (federal, state, local) and all international military/government: Free
- Press: Free
- AUSA National Partner Members: $775 early bird / $925 regular
- AUSA Community Partner Members: $825 / $975
- AUSA Premium Members (Lifetime and Individual): $850 / $1,000
- AUSA Association Partner Members: $900 / $1,050
- AUSA Basic Members: $1,000 / $1,150
- Nonmembers of AUSA: $1,200 / $1,300
- Exhibit Hall Only Visitors: $175
- Exhibitor booth staff: Free for 2 people per 10'x10' (or per table-top); $175 each for additional staff
Full conference registration includes educational sessions, exhibit halls, refreshment breaks, and networking lunches and receptions. A $25 fee applies to reprint lost or incorrect badges. Refunds are not available after 27 February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where does the AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition take place?
The 2026 AUSA Global Force Symposium & Exposition takes place 24–26 March 2026 at the Von Braun Center, 700 Monroe Street, Huntsville, Alabama 35801.
Is the event open to the public?
No. GFSE is not open to the general public. Registrants must have an identifiable relationship with the U.S. Army — such as AUSA membership, U.S. or international military/government service, or employment with an exhibiting company — and must present a government-issued photo ID on-site.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration is completed online through the official AUSA Global Force portal. U.S. and international military and government personnel, as well as press, attend free, while AUSA member rates for full conference access ranged from about $775 to $1,150 and nonmembers paid $1,200–$1,300 for 2026. An exhibit-hall-only pass was $175.
What does a full conference registration include?
Full conference registration includes access to all educational sessions, the exhibit halls, refreshment breaks, and networking lunches and receptions. An exhibit-hall-only registration grants access to the exhibit halls and activities taking place inside them.
Where should I stay and how do I get there?
Numerous downtown Huntsville hotels are within walking distance of the Von Braun Center, including several directly across the street and the Embassy Suites connected by sky-bridge. The venue is about 13–15 miles from Huntsville International Airport (HSV), with rideshare, taxi, and on-site parking readily available.
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