The ARRL and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) at the ARRL National Centennial Convention, which takes place July 17-19 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. ARRL President Kay Craigie, N3KN, will join FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, on Friday, July 18, at 4:15 PM, in signing the MOA, which is aimed at fostering increased cooperation between the League and the federal agency in the area of disaster communication and support. Fugate also will speak at the Centennial Banquet later that evening, and more than 850 are expected to attend.

All-day workshops and a Thursday lunch at the Convention Center will kick off the Centennial Convention (advance online registration required), although the official opening ceremony and ribbon cutting does not take place until Friday morning at 8:30, with President Craigie and Convention Co-Chairs ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, and New England Division Vice Director Mike Raisbeck, K1TWF, welcoming attendees.

Keynoting the Thursday lunch will be ARRL First Vice President Rick Roderick, K5UR. ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Director Brian Mileshosky, N5ZGT, will serve as the emcee. Later in the day, there will be a reception to welcome international guests. Delegations from several countries are expected to attend the convention, along with individual visitors. The League is anticipating some 4000 visitors, with registrations received from all 50 US states and more than 30 countries.

The theme for the ARRL National Centennial Convention is members “Advancing the Art and Science of Radio — Since 1914.” On Friday and Saturday more than 100 vendors and exhibitors will be in the main Convention Center exhibit hall, and dozens of presenters will lead nearly 70 hours of forums. Transportation will be available to shuttle convention registrants to Newington for tours of ARRL Headquarters and W1AW. Two-day tickets for Friday and Saturday are $25 online, or $30 at the door.

President Craigie will host a Presidents Breakfast on Saturday morning, and Nobel Laureate Joe Taylor, K1JT, will speak at noon. The closing ceremony and prize drawing will take place at 4 PM in the Convention Center Ballroom.

Convention registration remains open! The deadline for all banquet and meal reservations is today, July 9.