NGAUS Conference Experience

Pre-Conference Special Edition | July 2023

Approaching the 145th NGAUS General Conference next month, as your NGAUS Corporate Advisory Panel (CAP) Vice Chair, I wanted to provide tips to maximize your experience onsite. To echo Bruce in the opening of this newsletter, there are some exciting new events that will be on the NGAUS Stage on the exhibit hall floor to help bring Guardsmen closer to the exhibitors.  NGAUS General Conference Council has approved several solutions recommended by the Corporate Advisory Panel to improve our interaction with the attendees (i.e coffee/water on exhibit hall floor).

 

NGAUS is a big, busy conference. If you are new to the National Guard market, below are a few tips for making the most of your time in Reno. If you’ve been a few times – or dozens – you know the following…and I look forward to seeing you there!

 

Before you go, it may be helpful to look at the schedule of events and attire guide as there are many opportunities outside the exhibit halls to engage with National Guard members.  See below website.

https://www.ngaus.org/events/145th-general-conference-exhibition

 

My Tips and Tricks:

Schedule and information management -

• Download the NGAUS App. You know it’s legit because it features the NGAUS logo when you search for it.
• Before you arrive, go through and build your personal schedule.
• Check out all the other parts of the app too.
• Continue to check it for updates throughout the conference.
• Allow all ‘push’ notifications.

 

Join us at all the meetings specifically set up for the industry partners. All events bullets below are great venues to meet other corporate members. If you are exhibiting/attending:

• Attend the Exhibitors Reception on Thursday, August 17 | 4:00 - 6:00 pm | C4.
• Attend the New Corporate Member Orientation on Saturday, August 19 | 1:30 - 2:30 pm | Minuteman Stage, Exhibit floor.
• Attend the Industry Workshop on Sunday, August 20 | 8:00 - 9:15 am | Minuteman Stage, Exhibit floor.
• Attend the Open CAP meeting on Monday, August 21 | 9:00 - 10:20 pm | A8 - A9.

 

Attend Task Force Meetings - All meetings Sunday, August 20, 2023

• 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Engineer (Army) | A12 - A13
• 1:00 - 2:00 pm | Combat Air Forces (Air) | A5 
• 1:30 - 2:30 pm | C4I (Army) | A3 
• 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Personnel/Medical (Joint) | A16 - A18
• 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Fire Support (Army) | A12 - A13 
• 2:00 - 3:00 pm | Combat/Mission Support (Air) | A4
• 3:00 - 4:00 pm | Cyber (Joint) | A5 
• 3:00 - 4:00 pm | Ground Combat (Army) | A3
• 3:30 - 5:30 pm | Sustainment (Army) | A10 - A11
• 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Domestic Operations (Joint) | A16 - A18 
• 4:00 - 5:30 pm | Mobility Air Forces (Air) | A4 
• 4:00 - 6:00 pm | Aviation (Army) | A12 - A13
• 5:00 - 6:00 pm | Space | A5
• Task Forces are uniformed SMEs that advise NGAUS on key issues affecting the National Guard. They hold meets throughout the year, and some of their meetings are open to NGAUS corporate members.
• This is an excellent place to find potential customers! Understand they are there to do their TF business, but you are welcome to hand out a flyer and your card to those in uniform and invite them to your booth.
• Let me know if you’d like more information about how to get involved with a Task Force on a regular basis.

 

Participate in Social Events!

Come out to the evening social events! The National Guard community is very interactive and friendly. They like to see their industry partners at the evening events. Building and maintaining relationships in this community happens during social times. Take advantage of these great events. However, do remember this is their ‘down’ time. Avoid the work talk as much as possible at the social events. Don’t hesitate to attend the Governor’s Reception, go to the Hospitality Suites (there should be details on the app where the suites are located), and definitely do not miss Hospitality Night. Check out the app for dates, times, and locations. Carry your business cards with your booth number written on them every evening.

 

NGAUS is the most fun, productive event we have all year. If you are not attending this year, consider it for 2024 in Detroit. Please reach out if I can provide additional information.