Every year, thousands of VFW and Auxiliary delegates gather to represent the organization’s more than 1.3 million combined membership at the week-long national convention. While there, our mission is to approve new national priorities that will guide our organization into the future as we focus on caring for veterans and as we lobby Congress on issues important to the nation’s veterans, service members and their families.
Throughout the week, delegates and attendees hear from prominent individuals and organizations in the veteran-serving community and we also take the time to recognize and celebrate many of them for their support of veterans and military personnel. The convention culminates with the election of the organization's new national-level chair officers, to include a new VFW national commander.
The 127th VFW National Convention was held July 25-29, 2026, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada. Livestreaming began with the Joint Memorial Service on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
This year, convention delegates heard from many distinguished speakers, to include: Nevada Department of Veterans Service Director Col. (Ret.) Mary Devine; Taiwanese Veterans Affairs Council Vice Minister Wu, Chih-Yang; Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Director Kelly McKeague; Military Women's Memorial President Phyllis Wilson; Amrican Battle Monuments Commissioner Capt. (Ret.) Flo Groberg; Military Order of the Cootie Supreme Commander Tracy Woodman; Twisted X CEO Prasad Reddy; USAA Military Affairs Principal, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (Ret.) Russell Smith; Student Veterans of America National President Cory Boatwright; National Home Executive Director Dr. Jerred Johnson and our 2026 Buddy Poppy Child, Noelani; Humana National Director of Key Relationships Cara Brown; Grover Gaming CEO Brian Brown; Oracle Federal, Health Executive and Market Lead Dr. James Ellzy; and Fiserv Vice President of Sales, Government, Education and Utilities David Natelson.
This year featured the second annual VFW National Convention Awards Banquet, where the VFW recognized its the 2025-2026 National Voice of Democracy Winner Olivia Drewniak, as well as the 2025-2026 National Teachers of the Year recipients, Elizabeth Lee (Elementary), Tammy Gipson (Middle School) and Jeron Velasco (High School). Also presented were its 2026 Distinguished Awards. Award recipients included: VFW Distinguished Charitable Award to Prasad Reddy, Twisted X; VFW Distinguished Educational Award to Lt. Col. (Ret.) David Grossman; VFW Distinguished Fraternal Award to Thomas "Ski" Kopetzky; VFW Distinguished Patriotic Award to Huong Le and Family.
During the Wednesday business session of the convention, delegates elected and installed the national-level chair officers, to include VFW National Commander Cory Geisler, an Iraq War veteran from Hartland, Wisconsin. In addition to Geisler, delegates elected Glenn R. Umberger Jr. of Pennsylvania as senior vice commander-in-chief and Bobby Lovergne, of Louisiana as junior vice commander-in-chief. Adjutant General Dan West and Quartermaster General Marc Garduno also reassumed their national offices.
Many awards were delivered this year as well, to include the following: VFW Commander-in-Chief’s Gold Medal of Merit: Lois Callahan, 2025 – 2026 National President of the VFW Auxiliary; Gundel "Gundy" Metz; Jason Johns; Todd Jacobus; Ken Wiseman; Patsey Schriber and Kevin Conklin. The VFW Distinguished Service Medal was presented to Alfred J. "Al" Lipphardt, VFW Past Commander-in-Chief (2024 – 2025); and also to Mike DeRosa, past VFW Foundation Board chairman. The VFW John A. Biedrzycki Accredited Service Representative of theYear Award was presented to Colin Anderson, director of VFW Department of New York Veterans Service. There was also a very special presentation of a posthumuously awarded Purple Heart and VFW Citation of Recognition to the family of Specialist Four Ronald Newlander, whose family was assisted by VFW National Veterans Service and discovered he had justly earned a Purple Heart during his service but had never received it.
NOTE: The VFW Store merchandise booth will be onsite in Reno! To provide you the best possible experience, we are transitioning to a cashless payment system. We will happily accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Please plan accordingly to ensure a seamless shopping experience.
Exhibitors
The exhibitor space for the 127th VFW National Convention is now closed. Exhibiting offers great access to VFW members. If you are interested in exhibiting at the 128th VFW National Convention, please contact VFW Meetings and Events at events@vfw.org to receive additional information when it becomes available.
Sponsorships
Sponsorships for the 2026 127th VFW National Convention are closed. See everything sponsorship has to offer. Sponsor availability sells out quickly and opportunities are limited. If you don't find the perfect fit for your company or organization, custom options to meet your specific needs and goals are available. Contact the VFW Foundation at Foundation@vfw.org to reserve your spot for the 128th VFW National Convention in Milwaukee, July 31 - Aug. 4, 2027!