RICHMOND, Va. – The National Guard Association of the United States’ 144th General Conference & Exhibition convenes Aug. 26-29, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio, and the Virginia National Guard Association members may now register to attend.
Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States and is the largest and most visited city in Ohio.
“The city has grown in the past two decades, says Col. Wayne Thomas, the state conference chairman. “We are excited to show off Columbus to the nation.”
This will be the third time the city has hosted the conference, but it has been awhile. It was the gathering spot in 1947 and way back in 1903. Previously, Cleveland (1979 & 1995) and Cincinnati (1884) have been sites of previous conferences, making California the only state to host more conferences in different cities (four).
Fifty percent of the U.S. population lives less than a 90-minute flight from Columbus. Attendees flying will arrive via commercial air at John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), which is located six miles from the downtown area.
To make the 15-minute trip from the airport to the convention center and hotels, the host state has arranged for transportation on Aug. 25, 26 and 30 at a discounted rate.
Interstates 70 and 71 converge at Columbus making it an easy drive from several states in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and South—and it’s only a seven hour drive from Richmond!
Virginia’s delegation is slated to stay at the Sonesta Hotel and Resort, a seven-minute drive from the airport. The hotel features recently renovated guest rooms, a well-equipped business center and onsite dining and provides a comfortable, convenient, dog friendly hotel stay in the city’s Arena District. The hotel is only a three-minute walk from the Greater Columbus Convention Center, which will house most events.
Conference events begin with the Motorcycle Adventure Ride with a ride through the rolling hills of Southeast Ohio on Thursday, Aug. 25.
The annual NGAUS Golf Tournament is held on Aug. 26 at the Bent Tree Golf Club. Stretching over 167 acres of naturally wooden rolling terrain, Bent Tree Golf Club is one of the best championship courses in the Columbus area. Designed by Dennis Griffiths, this top rated golf course features bent grass tees, fairways and greens as well as many bunkers and abundant water.
The 5K run is set for the evening of Aug. 26 at the downtown Columbus Recreation and Parks’ Scioto Mile. Located in the heart of downtown Columbus, the Scioto Mile is an urban oasis comprised of more than 175 acres of lush parkland. Stretching along the waterfront from the vibrant Arena District to the natural beauty of the Whittier Peninsula, our riverfront parks connect downtown to the Scioto River through an integrated system of parks, boulevards, bikeways and pedestrian paths. It’ll be a “glow” fun run with runners suggested attire to include glow sticks, blinking lights and neon colors.
Evening activities on Aug. 26 include the Adjutants General Reception at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and the always popular Company Grade/Warrant Officer Mixer. This year’s Company Grade/Warrant Officer Mixer is held at the home of the Columbus Clippers: Huntington Park. With the downtown Columbus skyline in the background, Huntington Park is one of the few ballparks that actually faces southeast. This 200,000 square foot facility features a capacity of 10,100 with specialty seating in two full bars, a roof top terrace, right field terraces, and lawn and picnic areas.
The business sessions and the industry exhibition get started Aug. 27. The tradeshow ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m., followed by free brunch on the exhibition floor. The first main session begins at noon. As always, NGAUS will invite key lawmakers and defense leaders to speak.
The Governor’s Reception will be held that evening at the Center of Science & Industry and the ever popular Hospitality Night is on Aug. 28. As always, the States Dinner held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Ballroom will conclude the conference Aug. 29. Recommended attire will be announced closer to the event.
In addition to the professional development sessions, the NGAUS Legislative Task Forces will also meet to discuss national-level resolutions and policy objectives. These resolutions and objectives are consolidated into the 2023 legislative agenda. Delegates from the 54 states, commonwealths, territories and the district vote on their top grassroots-led resolutions during Saturday’s business sessions.
Virginia is authorized delegates according to the percentage of NGAUS membership. Larger membership rates equates to more delegates, more delegates equals more votes.
Members may volunteer to serve as a delegate during registration. If selected, delegates receive $50 per day per diem to cover expenses incurred from their participation.
Registration for the National Guard Association of the United States’ 144th General Conference & Exhibition held Aug. 26-29, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio is open! NGAUS members may register here to attend.
Learn more about the 144th General Conference & Exhibition here.
Watch the “What to Expect” video here.
Watch the “Welcome to Columbus” video here.
