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ALA Annual National Conference and Professional Development Forum

The ALA National Conference & Professional Development Forum, November 3-5, 2025, will be held at the Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort, in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort | Virginia Beach, VA

Join the American Logistics Association (ALA) for the 2025 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 / Why Attend?
  • 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.
REGISTRATION FEES
  • Early Bird Member Registration: $925 (from July 1 – September 19)
  • Standard Member Registration: $1,025 (September 19 – October 16)
  • Late Member Registration: $1,125 (October 17 – November 3)
  • Non-Member Registration: $1,800 (from July 1 – November 3)
  • Government Attendees: $525 (from July 1 – November 3)
  • Media Registration: $450 (from July 1 – November 3)

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

Registration

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Cavalier Resort Marriott Hotel

4201 Atlantic Ave
Virginia Beach, VA 23451 United States

SCHEDULE

(as of 3 November 2025)

Monday, Nov. 3

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

Tuesday, Nov. 4

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Registration, Seaside Registration – 2nd Floor of Marriott
7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Buffet Breakfast, Salon E & Goodman
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Welcome and Opening Ceremonies, Salon A-D
National Anthem performed by CSSC (SS) Jason M. Cascio, U.S. Navy
8:40AM - 9:10 AM
Association Update, ALA BOD Chair and ALA President
9:10 AM - 9:55 AM
Keynote Presentation – Mike Studeman, Former Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence, Rear Admiral (RADM), U.S. Navy retired
9:55 AM - 10:15 AM
Operation Stormbreaker: Operation StormBreaker: Delivering Digital at Mission Speed, Mr. Dave Raley, Chief Digital Business Officer, Marine Corps Community Services
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
BREAK
10:30 AM - 11:20 AM
Mr. David Spooner, former U.S. Chief Textile Negotiator at U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration
11:20 AM - 12:00 PM
Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Update, Mr. Tom Shull, Director & CEO
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Networking Lunch & Awards Presentation (Open to All Attendees)
1:30 PM - 2:10 PM
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS) Update, Mr. James Leahy, Executive Director
2:10 PM - 2:50 PM
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Update, Robert J. Bianchi, Rear Admiral, SC, USN (Ret), CEO
2:50 PM - 3:00 PM
BREAK
3:00 PM - 3:40 PM
Learning from and Applying AI for the Consumer Industry: Ben Stiller, General Manager of ConvergeConsumer by Deloitte; Ed Johnson, Consumer Industry Innovation Leader, Deloitte; Facilitator: Tzarni Mangosong
3:40 PM - 4:20 PM
Boosting Veteran Participation in the Exchange & Commissary Benefit, Mr. Bob Carey, Executive Director, The National Defense Committee
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, Nov. 5

7:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Networking Buffet Breakfast, Salon E & Goodman
8:30 AM - 8:35 AM
Welcome and Announcements
8:35 AM - 9:15 AM
Coast Guard Community Services Command (CSC)/Coast Guard Exchange (CGX), Captain Jeff Ferlauto
9:15 AM - 10:05 AM
Keynote Presentation – Team Never Quit Speaker, Johnny “Joey” Jones - Combat-Wounded U.S. Marine, FOX News Contributor, Best-Selling Author
10:05 AM - 10:30 AM
Networking Break & Joey Jones Meet & Greet
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Legislative and Regulatory Compliance Update, ALA President Steve Rossetti & Mr. Mark Cancian, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Annual Meeting of ALA Members Luncheon, BOD/Treasurers Update and COE Award, Salon A-D
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Government Resale Organizations/Partners Lunch, Salon E
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM
Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) / Marine Corps Exchange (MCX) Update, Mr. Ed Cutshall, Director & CEO
1:40 PM - 2:20 PM
Category Management Update, Mr. Robert Culbreth, Director of Sales, Non-Fresh, Defense Commissary Agency
2:20 PM - 2:30 PM
BREAK
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Update. Mr. John Hall, Director & CEO
3:10 PM - 3:50 PM
Future of Convenience, Tom McElroy
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM
Closing Remarks, ALA BOD Chair and ALA President
4:00 PM
Conference Ends

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

mike studeman - NOV. 4

Former Commander, Office of Naval Intelligence
Retired Rear Admiral

johnny "joey" jones - NOV. 5

Combat-Wounded U.S. Marine | FOX News Contributor
Best-Selling Author

featured speakers

Mr. Tom Shull

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

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

CEO
Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM)

Mr. Ed Cutshall

Director & CEO
Marine Corps Exchange (MCX/MCCS)

Capt. Jeff Ferlauto

Commanding Officer
Coast Guard Exchange (CGX/CSC)

Mr. James Leahy

Executive Director
Veterans Canteen Service (VCS)

Newly appointed DeCA Director of Sales, Non-Fresh

Mr. Robert Culbreth

Director of Sales, Non-Fresh, Defense Commissary Agency

DavidSpooner_3177_PR

Mr. David Spooner

Former U.S. Chief Textile Negotiator at U.S. Trade Representative Office (USTR) and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Import Administration

5Cancian

Mr. Mark Cancian

Senior Adviser, Defense and Security Department, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Bob-Carey-2

Mr. Bob Carey, Captain, US Navy (Ret)

 Executive Director, National Defense Committee

Screenshot

Mr. Dave Raley

Operation Stormbreaker, Chief Digital Business Officer, Marine Corps Community Services

Mr. Ben Stiller

General Manager of ConvergeConsumer by Deloitte

Ed Johnson

Mr. Ed Johnson

Consumer Industry Innovation Leader, Deloitte

Thomas McElroy

Mr. Thomas McElroy

Future of Convenience, Deloitte

thank you to our sponsors

hotel reservations

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

  • Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort for $209.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Friday, October 03, 2025 – CLICK HERE
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort for $209.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Friday, October 03, 2025 –  CLICK HERE
Hotel Per Diem Rates:

To access the government per diem rate, please email Victoria Nguyen at vnguyen@ala-national.org for the reservation link.

  • Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort for $124.00 USD per night – Last Day to Book : Saturday, October 04, 2025

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