Note from AFA -- AFA National Convention and Conference

With AFA's 2012 National Convention and Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition just six weeks away, you can expect things to be quite busy around these spaces.

This year's National Convention will be September 15-16 and the Conference will be September 17-19, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, in National Harbor, just across the river from Alexandria and minutes from downtown Washington, DC.  And this year’s conference fees are waived for all military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personnel!

For those not familiar with these annual events, the National Convention serves as an exciting opportunity for AFA members from around the country and abroad to come together and play a pivotal role in governing our Association. Workshops and activities are scheduled for delegates, spouses and guests. That Sunday, September 16, we also host a memorial service and wreath laying at the Air Force Memorial, to recognize members and supporters of AFA who have passed.

The Conference and Technology Exposition is truly a one-of-a-kind event where AFA brings together Air Force leadership, industry experts, academia and current aerospace specialists from around the world to discuss the issues and challenges facing America and the aerospace community today. This year, we will have more than 65 conference addresses, including forums led by:

• Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki
• Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter
• Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey
• Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Donley
• Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Mark Welsh
• And the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Roy.

Our Exposition floor has grown quite a bit this year, to accommodate more exhibits, a special Speakers Corner, and a Veterans and Spouses Career Center.

Also, we both support our young airmen and honor Air Force heritage with two formal events: Monday's Outstanding Airmen of the Year Dinner, where we recognize 12 outstanding enlisted personnel for superior leadership, job performance, community involvement, and personal achievements, and Wednesday's Air Force Anniversary Dinner, where we feature our most prestigious award recipients and honor Lifetime Achievement Winners who have contributed to the success of the Air Force. 

In all, it is a great opportunity to network with colleagues, Air Force leadership, guest speakers, and professionals and pioneers from the private sector. With the current economic environment and budget concerns, opportunities to engage in open dialogue on issues that concern our national security and the future of our Air Force are vital.  New this year, and thanks to a Secretary of the Air Force Ethics Office determination, we are offering admission to the Conference at no charge to military members on Active Duty and DoD civilian personnel.

We hope you can join us – register now at: http://www.afa.org/events/conference/2012/default.asp.

Buck

David T. "Buck" Buckwalter
Acting President
Air Force Association