Starting Aug. 24, Exchange and Marine Corps Exchange associates will gather in Omaha, Nebraska, for four days of games, TVs, music and more during the 2026 Military Exchange Electronics Expo, aka ME3.
About 200 associates from both exchanges, consisting mostly of PowerZone department managers and sales associates, will hear about what’s hot in the world of consumer electronics, which accounts for more than 10% of Exchange retail sales. Bestselling items include Apple laptops and tablets, HP laptops, Samsung TVs, and videogame consoles such as the Sony PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2.
“The expo is an opportunity for our frontline leaders to get information from industry experts so they can provide the best service to service members and their families,” said Hardlines Vice President Josh Samuels. “Attendees will be able to ask questions and learn from suppliers and other consumer-electronics associates.”
And there will be a lot to learn. This is the first expo since 2024, and in those two years, there has been rapid change.
“This is really about product knowledge,” said Craig Gourley, divisional merchandise manager for consumer electronics. “During the conference, our sales associates will learn about what’s going on with artificial intelligence and what’s going on in gaming. The vendors will have one-on-one conversations with our sales associates about what’s new, what’s important and what customers are looking for.”
Associates will also hear from the Exchange’s consumer-electronics buying team during a 45-minute presentation on opening day.\
Gourley said that gaming will be a major topic.
“Our service members are big, big gamers,” he said. “And there have been huge changes in gaming. The biggest change is the transition from large gaming consoles to either gaming laptops or handheld gaming. A lot of gaming has moved into laptops and desktops. And for our Soldiers and Airmen, that’s a big deal. They love it.”
Changes in televisions will also play a big role.
“During the last four or five years, the TV business has really matured,” Gourley said. “Retail prices continue to drop, giving greater value to our customers while still delivering the features and benefits they are looking for.”
Although artificial intelligence was a topic at the 2024 expo, AI has quickly accelerated since then, and it will be an even bigger talking point—including in televisions.
“One big thing happening is the addition of artificial intelligence into a lot of our products, especially into TVs,” Gourley said. “AI has grown. It used to be that only the very top-end models had AI. Now a lot of models have AI in them, and people are starting to understand and value its use in a television.”
Gourley also said that Apple products, which are popular with military customers, will be a major topic.
Attendees will get to try the products firsthand. MILITARY STAR representatives will be on hand to talk to the attendees about the benefits the card offers—which have also expanded since the last ME3.
Gourley, who joined the Exchange just under a year ago, said he’s looking forward to the expo.
“I love consumer electronics,” he said. “It’s such an exciting part of retail. It’s a super-fun business. And I love the idea of serving those who serve. I think about our young troops out there and what we’re doing to add to their comforts of home. It just makes you feel good about what you do.”
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