147th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition

Your NGA-VT and NGAUS invites you to attend the NGAUS 147th General Conference & Exhibition from August 21-26, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This year’s theme is The National Guard: Affordable, Accessible, Lethal.

Click here for conference details and schedule.

Overview: The NGAUS General Conference is your National Association’s annual business meeting. Army and Air National Guard officers from all 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia gather to network, set their legislative agenda and hear from America’s civilian and military leaders. Family members, industry representatives and local officials also attend. We hope to see you in Milwaukee this year!

See the very latest equipment for the Army and Air Force being exhibited by our many Corporate Partners. Listen to senior leaders from the Army and Air Force talk about your future, meet your counterparts across our great nation and most importantly learn firsthand what the National Guard Association does for all of us. Recent speakers include congressional leaders, cabinet-level secretaries, Army and Air Force Secretaries and Chiefs, and other senior Pentagon officials.

Details: For conference details and schedule see link: https://www.ngaus.org/events/147th-general-conference-exhibition. In Milwaukee use the phone app to plan your events.

Registration: Download the Registration Form and send to executivedirector@ngavt.org .

Registration and rooms: The $200 registration covers most food and drink, admission to all business sessions, company-grade officer professional development, the exhibition, the mixers, the States Dinner and the Governor’s Farewell.

The Vermont delegation’s hotel is the Hilton City Center with 22 sleeping rooms and a separate suite in which to gather before and after events. Room rates are $197 a night for a standard room. Hotel address is 509 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53203.
Hilton Milwaukee website

Uniform: The conference is Class B for official duty and business casual or NGA-VT polo shirt for non-official participants.

Transportation: Commercial bus transportation transfers from the Airport to the downtown area hotels will run continuously from 10:00 am– 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 21st and Friday, August 22nd from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm. On August 26th, commercial bus transportation transfers from downtown hotels to Airport from 6:00 am – 1:00 pm.

Transportation fee is $10 each way paid upon conference registration. Milwaukee airport is a 25-minute drive into the city. Buses depart every 30 minutes.

Ribbon-cutting: The opening ribbon-cutting ceremony is Saturday, August 23 at 10:00 am, followed by the opening of the exhibition floor for conference-badged attendees. At 12:30 pm, the First General Business/Professional Development Session will begin with the renowned Annual Roll Call of States and Territories. The Second General Business/Professional Development session will start at 8:00 am, Sunday, August 24 and the third and final General Business/Professional Development Session starts on Monday, August 25 at 11:30 am. The Joint Resolution Committee meeting is on Friday, August 22 at 2:00 pm and the Army and Air separate sessions are on Monday, August 25 at 8:30 am. Attire for all Business/Professional Development sessions for military state affiliates will be the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP) uniforms.

Speakers: NGAUS will host Professional Speaker sessions at the Minuteman Stage on the tradeshow floor. The NGAUS Corporate Advisory Panel (CAP) will host industry specific events for our exhibitors featuring a New Industry Partner Forum on Saturday, a workshop on Sunday and CAP open and closed meetings on Monday. We will post the speaker’s topics, meeting times, and any schedule changes on our website at www.ngaus.org or the conference mobile app.

Events

New this year is a Sport Fishing event! The Motorcycle Ride returns to the site of the original Harley Ride. The Governor’s Reception will be held at Discovery World. The Company Grade/Warrant Officer Mixer will take place at MECCA in the Deer District. The Senior Warrant Officer Mixer will gather at Gather, also in the Deer District. The States Dinner closes out the social events in the Baird Ballroom, located inside the Baird Center, the conference convention center.

Delegate Golf Outing (aka NGAUS Golf Tournament)
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Bog Golf Course
240 spots open. Registration Fee is $130.
The Bog Golf Course is an award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature Course in Cedarburg Bog in Saukville, Wisconsin. The outing will be split into morning and afternoon sessions with 120 golfers per group. The fee is $130. Lunch will be provided.

Harley-Davidson Ride
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
House of Harley-Davidson
150 spots open. Registration Fee is $35.
The motorcycle ride will start and end at the House of Harley-Davidson, one of the Midwest’s premier dealerships. Riders can bring their own motorcycle or rent one on-site. Apparel is sold on location, too.

Lake Michigan Sport Fishing
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 7 a.m. to Noon
Port Washington Marina
75 spots are open. Registration Fee is $100.
Participants will have the chance to fish on Lake Michigan. The registration fee covers all necessary equipment and a one-day fishing license. For those who land a catch, fish can be cleaned or smoked and packaged to ship or take home.

Adjutants General Reception (INVITATION ONLY)
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 6 to 9 p.m.
Zilli Lake & Gardens
The event will be held at Zilli Lake & Gardens located in downtown.

Company Grade/Warrant Officer Mixer (Conference Badge Required)
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 6 to 10 p.m.
Mecca Sports Bar and Grill
Covered in Registration Fee

Senior Warrant Officer Mixer (Conference Badge Required)
Friday, August 22, 2025 / 6 to 10 p.m.
Gather at the Deer District
Covered in Registration Fee

5k Fun Run
Saturday, August 23, 2025 / 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Veterans Park
250 spots are open. Registration Fee is $25.
The route runs along Lake Michigan.

Governor’s Reception (Conference Badge Required)
Saturday, August 23, 2025 / 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Discovery World
Covered in Registration Fee
Attire: Yacht/Boating Theme
Discovery World is a science museum that features an aquarium, exhibits and many immersive experiences — including a flight simulator.

Retiree Caucus Meeting & Luncheon
Sunday, August 24, 2025 / 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Harley-Davidson Museum
Registration Fee is $5.

NGAUS Spouse Luncheon
Sunday, August 24, 2025 / 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Pritzlaff Building
Covered in Registration Fee

Hospitality Night
Sunday, August 24, 2025 / 6 to 10 p.m.
State/Territory Hospitality Suites
Covered in Registration Fee
Attire: Casual

The list of participating locations will be provided to all state and territory associations and be posted on the NGAUS conference app.

This year the New England States are combining with 7-States to host an unforgettable 13 State Hospitably Night at The Pilot Project on Sunday, 24 August. The Corporate Partner Appreciation Night will be hosted by the New England Team also at The Pilot Project prior to Hospitality Night commencement. Drink tickets, food and Howl at the Moon entertainment.
Pilot Project link: https://www.pilotprojectbrewing.com/milwaukee

All-States Dinner (Registration & Conference Badge Required)
Monday, August 25, 2025 / 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Baird Ballroom
Covered in Registration Fee
Attire: Dinner Supper Club
The dinner will feature entertainment from comedian Charlie Berens.

— As of April 15, 2024

Events will be updated as additional details become available.

For conference details and schedule