2026 Engineers’ Week Banquet in Huntsville

AIAA GHS is proud to host the 2026 Engineers’ Week Banquet in Huntsville at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center's Davidson Center for Space Exploration. This event will be held on Thursday 2026 FEB 26; doors open for the welcoming social at 5:30 PM.

You can register to attend as an indivdual or on behalf of an organization. Discounts are available to students, returning 2025 non-profit sponsors, and early-bird registrants. Additional sponsorship details can be found in the sponsorship information packet.

• 2025 DEC 05 - Early bird registration ends
• 2025 JAN 25 - Regular registration ends
• 2025 FEB 26 - Late registration on a case by case basis

The goal of the Engineers’ Week Banquet in Huntsville is to recognize the achievements of current & future engineering talent across disciplines in Huntsville, Alabama and the surrounding region. This is a unique event whose host rotates between local professional societies (e.g. AIAA, IEEE, ASCE, etc.), providing a platform for organizations to recognize worthy individuals in front of their peers. Following the 2026 Engineers' Week theme of “Transform Your Future” we hope to recognize bright stars that have excelled today and will continue making a difference for years to come.

Retired Lieutenant General L. Neil Thurgood is a Senior Vice President at Anduril, where he oversees the Air and Ground Deterrence Division. He is also the special advisor to the Univ. of Alabama in Huntsville for military affairs and technology. LTG (Ret.) Thurgood served over 37 years in the Army in roles such as Director to Army Rapid Capabilities, Critical Technology Office (RCCTO), director for test at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA/DT), and was deployed to Afghanistan. Neil holds a BS in business from Univ. of Utah, a MS in Strategic Studies from the Air War College, a MS in Acquisition Mgmt. from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Doctorate of Business from Univ. of Sarasota.