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2026 ALA Annual National Conference and Professional Development Forum

The ALA National Conference & Professional Development Forum, October 19-21 2026, will be held at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, in Virginia Beach, VA.

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OCT. 19-21, 2026

Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort | Virginia Beach, VA

Join the American Logistics Association (ALA) for the 2026 National Conference — our annual event bringing together leaders from the military resale and quality-of-life ecosystem, including industry partners, government agencies, and military services.

ALA has a long tradition of being in the right place at the right time and serving as the focal point for partnership and representation in the military marketplace.

Agenda Highlights
  • Association Update – Get the latest on ALA’s initiatives and industry impact.
  • Legislative Update – Stay informed on policies and regulations that affect our industry.
  • Military Affairs – Explore the benefits and contributions of the military in America’s communities.
  • Updates by Military Resale CEOs/Directors – Hear directly from the top leaders in military resale. (DeCA, AAFES, NEXCOM, VCS, MCX, CGX)
  • The Government Compliance Environment – Learn How to Navigate the complexities of the government compliance environment.
  • Networking Opportunities – Engage with senior government officials, industry executives, and key decision-makers across the military resale community.

*Click on the ‘+’ button to choose the amount of tickets you want to purchase

Registration

The numbers below include tickets for this event already in your cart. Clicking "Get Tickets" will allow you to edit any existing attendee information as well as change ticket quantities.
2026 ALA Conference (Late Registration)
This registration is for members only.
$ 1,175.00
Unlimited
2026 ALA Conference (Press/Media)
To qualify for this registration price, you MUST be an active employee of an official media outlet. If your credentials are not vetted, you may be denied entry and your ticket refunded.
$ 500.00
Unlimited
2026 ALA Conference (Government)
To qualify for this registration price, you MUST be an active member of the military, or a civilian employee of the federal government. Your email must end in .mil, .gov, or .fed.us or you may be denied entry and your ticket refunded
$ 575.00
Unlimited
2026 ALA Conference (Non-Member)
$ 1,800.00
Unlimited

SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

(as of 5 October 2026)

Monday, Oct. 19

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Registration, Seaside Registration – 2nd Floor of Marriott
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
VIP Reception, Executive Hospitality Suite, 5th Floor (Invite Only)
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Welcome Reception, Salon E & Seaside Event Terrace - Green Tickets

Tuesday, OCT. 20

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration, Seaside Registration – 2nd Floor of Marriott
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Buffet Breakfast, Salon E & Calloway
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Welcome and Opening Ceremonies, Salon A-D
National Anthem
8:40AM - 9:10 AM
Ms. Pyper Brenner, Associate Director, Business Policy, MWR & Resale Policy, MC&FP
9:10 AM - 10:10 AM
Keynote Presentation – Honorable Brian D. Birdwell, Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment
10:10 AM - 10:30 AM
BREAK
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Update, Robert J. Bianchi, Rear Admiral, SC, USN (Ret), CEO
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch & Awards Presentation (Open to All Attendees)
1:15 PM - 2:05 PM
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) / Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) Update, Mr. Ed Cutshall, Director & CEO
2:55 PM - 3:10 PM
BREAK

Tuesday, Oct. 20 Continued

3:10 PM - 4:00 PM
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Update, Mr. Brad Bingham, Director & CEO
4:20 PM - 4:30 PM
Announcements & Review of Thursday Agenda
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Networking Social, Salon E & Terrace - Yellow Tickets

Wednesday, OCT. 21

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Buffet Breakfast, Salon E & Calloway
8:30 AM - 8:35 AM
Welcome and Announcements
8:35 AM - 9:30 AM
Keynote Presentation – Team Never Quit Speaker, Taya Kyle, American Sniper Legacy, Best-Selling Author
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Networking Break & Taya Kyle Meet & Greet
10:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Coast Guard Community Services Command (CSC)/Coast Guard Exchange (CGX), Captain Jeff Ferlauto
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Update, Ms. Renee Claypool, Acting Executive Director
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Annual Meeting of ALA Members Luncheon, BOD/Treasurers Update and COE Award, Salon A-D
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Government Resale Organizations/Partners Lunch, Salon E
1:30 PM - 2:10 PM
Defense & Budget Update: Budgets, Munitions, and Global Posture, Mr. Mark Cancian, Senior Advisor, Defense & Security Department, Center for Strategic & International Studies
2:10 PM - 3:00 PM
Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Update. Mr. Bill Fitzhugh, Director & CEO
3:00 PM
Closing Remarks & Conference Ends

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Hon. Brian Birdwell - OCT. 20

Assistant Secretary of War for Sustainment (ASW(S))

TAYA KYLE - OCT. 21

Best-Selling Author | American Sniper Legacy | Military Family Advocate

featured speakers

Ms. Pyper Brenner

Associate Director, Business Policy, MWR & Resale Policy, MC&FP

Mr. Bill Fitzhugh

Director & CEO
Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA)

Mr. Brad Bingham

Director & CEO
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES)

Mr. Ed Cutshall

Director & CEO
Marine Corps Exchange (MCX/MCCS)

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Robert J. Bianchi, USN

CEO
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM)

Capt. Jeff ferlauto

Commanding Officer
Coast Guard Exchange (CGX/CSC)

Ms. Renee Claypool

Chief Operating Officer
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)

Kristin Crouse

Senior Vice President, Client Insights
Circana

Michael Dobbs

DOW Retail Client Technology Leader
IBM

Mark Cancian

Senior Advisor, Defense & Security 
Center for Strategic & International Studies

hotel reservations

A special room block is available for ALA attendees at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront & Embassy Suites.

Start Date: Monday, October 19, 2026
End Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Hotel(s) offering your special group rate:

For more information or Government Per Diem rates, please email Victoria Nguyen at vnguyen@ala-national.org.

FOR INFO/ASSISTANCE:

General event questions:
Victoria Nguyen vnguyen@ala-national.org

Conference sponsorship opportunities:
Bob Ellis bellis@ala-national.org; 817-201-9921.

Member registration issues/ event payment contact:
Robin Sampson membership@ala-national.org

Technical issues contact:
Armand Dávila adavila@ala-national.org