The Association of the United States Army — more commonly known as AUSA  — kicked off their annual meeting and trade show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. on Monday, October 14, and as usual, opening day was a huge success.

Basically, this event showcases everything a modern soldier might need, from sidearms and safety glasses to battle computers and communications systems, from robots to helicopters and fighting vehicles.

Held on multiple levels of the massive convention center, you need to plan ahead if you want to have a productive day. Just wandering the show floor hoping to find what you’re looking for is not an effective strategy.

According to AUSA, this year’s show features close to 6,000 exhibitors and will attract more than 30,000 attendees. That’s a lot to see and a lot of people trying to see it, so congested aisles and crowded booths must be factored into the equation.

Newly appointed Secretary of the Army, Ryan McCarthy, helped kick things off on opening day by giving the keynote address. But it was clearly the array of military technology being exhibited on the show floor that was the main attraction. The show, which is not open to the general public, runs through Wednesday, October 16.