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South Central Texas Area
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION Page 3
II. INFORMATION ON AUSTIN Page 5
III. PROPOSED ATTENDANCE Page 8
IV. PROPOSED EVENT SCHEDULE Page 8
V. HOTEL INFORMATION Page 9
VI. STRENGTH OF THE FELLOWSHIP Page 13
VII. AREA SUPPORT/FUNDRAISING Page 15
VIII. TRANSPORTATION Page 16
IX. PROPOSED CONVENTION CHAIR Page 17
X. PROPOSED BUDGET Page 18
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Austin!!!
Austin combines that unmistakable laid-back feeling with a vibrant downtown, recreational and cultural activities, and unique shopping.
Austin appeals to visitors from every corner of the globe – with cultural events such as SXSW Music Festival, Austin City Limits Festival, plus a variety of film and interactive conferences, an array of dining and food trucks, Formula One racing and ESPN X Games.
Everyone visiting Austin these days leaves with something great to say.
Austin is considered the Live Music Capital of the World! And for good reason. Austin’s entertainment district is home to more than 250 live music venues from historic honky tonks, jazz clubs, outdoor concerts, festivals and more.
Austin has been both filming location and the setting for several major motion pictures, including Boyhood, Dazed and Confused, and Transformers 4.
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Jimmy Kimmel has hosted his show from Austin for the past two years during the SXSW. It’s the only place that’s been able to lure him from his soundstage to broadcast from somewhere other than his Los Angeles studio.
Local celebrities include Matthew McConaughey, Willie Nelson and Richard Linklater, but locals tend to let them be. After all, everyone deserves to eat their breakfast tacos in peace! It’s kind of an unwritten law of the land.
Austin’s history dates back to the 1800’s, when pioneers started to settle along the North Bank Colorado River. When the Republic of Texas came to Austin, they admired its beauty and potential for growth, so much so they relocated the capital to Austin. Original name was known as Waterloo and eventually was changed to Austin after one of the Republic of Texas war heroes, Stephen F. Austin. As you walk the streets and surrounding areas, you will be enamored with all the historical implications, from the Congress Bridge to the University of Texas. Not only did it make its way through many hard times, but emerged and blossomed into a place of growth for technology and business, outdoor beauty and activities and a population that loves everything about it.
Not only is Austin known for the advancement in entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies, but we can’t forget the amazing cities large support to the music and arts. Music is a huge part of the culture in Austin, and is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Many tourist love the fact they can walk the streets of Austin and find a patio with local artist singing and dancing. SXSW is one of the biggest festivals in the world that opens the local businesses to artist from all over the world. Year upon year Austin City Limits Festival celebrates the music of Texas by featuring Texas Blues, Rock n’ Roll, and Alternative rock. Austin’s entertainment district is home to more than 250 live music venues from historic honky tonks, jazz clubs, outdoor concerts, festivals and more.
Austin is one of the most popular cities not only in Texas, but also the 11th in the entire United States. As one of the fastest growing cities in the US, over 900,000 people call Austin and/or Travis County home. As people join the city they will be embraced with the “Keep Austin Weird’ culture. This Keep Austin Weird culture allows for people to enjoy local businesses and local food in the eccentric decorated locations. This growing culture allows for Austin restaurants to continue to create cuisines that will appeal to the tastes of locals and visitors alike.
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Information of Austin
Lady Bird Lake is a major recreation area for the City of Austin. It overlooks the downtown high rises full of Fortune 500 companies, as well as local businesses. Its banks are bounded by the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail that is 10.1 miles long. This trail is known for being able to overlook the banks of Lady Bird Lake, admire Congress Bridge, fireworks on the water, and live music on the banks. You are able to engage in various sports that include kayaking, biking, running, soccer, paddle boarding, and canoeing. Overall this trail is the heart of the activity center for Austinites.
Austin has tons of appreciation to the music industry and what it can bring to the community. We lend our parks and businesses to local artists, as well as artists all over the world. Each year, we use the park known as Zilker Park to host festivals, such as Blues on the Greens and Austin City Limits. Blues on the Greens is the largest free concert in Austin that has been going on for the last 23 years. This concert supports local musicians and local vendors by celebrating Jazz, Blue Grass, and Alternative Rock. This music festival invites locals and tourist to bring kids, food, dogs, and layout overlooking the beauty of downtown Austin. Austin City Limits also takes over Zilker Park every fall with over 200,000 people. This festival invites over 130 artists every year for a three-day festival. This celebration of music in the local parks is just one of the reasons Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World”.
The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts venue located along Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin, Texas. The Long Center is the permanent home of the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Lyric Opera and Ballet Austin, as well hosting other Austin-area performing arts organizations. What makes this location so special is not only the amount of performances it welcomes, but also the implications of community. This performance art center was built by the community for the community. It opens up to community groups ranging from flash mobs, races, weddings, and even boot camps. This location is often known as one of the best views in Austin, so Many locals even use the space as a place to just admire the beauty of the Austin skyline.
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The Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge is a historical part of Austin that overlooks the Colorado River Banks. This bridge was built in the early 19th century and was known as the Congress Avenue Bridge. In 2006, this bridge was renamed in honor of the late Ann W. Richards, the 45th governor of Texas. This bridge is the home to North America's largest urban colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bats, with a summer population of 1.5 million bats. At dusk, from March to September, Austinites and tourists line the bridge to watch the dramatic sight of the bats streaming out in their nightly quest for insects. This celebration of bats has even led to the attraction of over 100,000 people annually, and has led to huge conservation efforts with the Texas Department of Transportation to keep the bats safe and making bridges all over Texas habitable.
Barton Springs Pool is a man-made recreational swimming pool located on the grounds of Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The pool exists in the channel of Barton Creek and is filled by water from Main Barton Spring, the fourth largest spring in Texas. This natural spring is a three-acre pool ranging from 1-18 feet in depth. The pool is a popular venue for year-round swimming, as its temperature maintains a narrow range from about 68 °F (20 °C) in the winter to about 71.6 °F (22.0 °C) in the summer. This spring habitats the Barton Springs Salamander and is known as the federally protected habitat. This natural spring has dated back to the 1970’s and has reached 800,000 guest annually.
The Zilker Botanical Garden (31 acres) is a botanical garden of varied topography located on the south bank of the Colorado River at 2220 Barton Springs Road, near downtown Austin, Texas, USA. This non-profit organization called Austin Area Garden Center was established in the 1950’s in effort to educate and promote gardening to all ages. This garden promotes education to young students and focus on teaching young kids the importance of gardening and agriculture. The beauty that has been put into these gardens has led to half a million tourist every year. This Garden is made up of 30 different garden clubs and around 2000 members. This collaboration allows many different locals to continue to bring beauty and education to the city.
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Circuit of the Americas (COTA) is a unidirectional, grade 1 FIA specification 3.427-mile (5.515 km) motor racing facility located in Elroy, on the southeastern periphery of Austin city limits, in Central Texas. COTA plays host to the Formula One United States Grand Prix, Motorcycle Grand Prix of The Americas, Red Fest, X-Games, and many concerts year round. The location is not only known for the challenging racetrack, but also the Austin360 amphitheater. The amphitheater is where some of the largest world acts have performed year round. When the racetrack was built they could not help but to notice the beauty of the Austin hill country in the skyline, and in honor of that they built a legendary 25 story observation tower.
The Texas State Capital is by far the most important part of the historical context of this city. This building not only represents the history of Austin, but also the growth and prosperity of the state. This building has been in the center of the city since the late 1800’s and is known as a National Historic Landmark. This location is the original location of the capital and has gone through renovations dating back to 1880’s. The gates remain open for tourist and locals to walk the exterior and grounds to view the large red granite stones, which have historical implication themselves. The grounds share the story of the building itself in the center of the historic Congress avenue. As you admire the outside, inside the building holds chambers of Texas Legislators and the Texas Governor.
For those who love history and want to know more about Texas, they can go to Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Those who love art can view one of the 30 plus galleries all over Austin, which include Art on 5th, Capital Fine Art, or Blanton Museum of Art. If you are looking for museums we have the LBJ Library & Museum, UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum, and many more. Austin has many other things to do which allows for all different cultures and diversities to feel welcome. The best way to explore Austin can be a simple request from a local with a smile or you can always visit http://www.austintexas.org/. This is a one stop location that allows you to look for areas of Austin that will suit your needs. 8
Proposed Attendance
We estimate the total in attendance to be near 900. We have held a successful World Convention in Houston, Texas which gives us great hope for here in Austin, Texas. Austin is the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Home to the Formula One races, South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits, we feel the many attractions of our city will be a huge draw.
First and foremost, Austin is very friendly and welcoming to those traveling from out of the country and from the United States. Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABI) has recently expanded by opening a newer, bigger, better Customs facility as well as an additional TSA Checkpoint. The new, state-of-the-art Customs area will more than double the airport’s capacity to process international arrivals and features the world’s largest art of its kind.
With Austin’s beauty, climate and lifestyle, we expect a large number of individuals, both nationally and internationally because of Austin being “The Live Music Capital of the World” and for the abundance of activities being offered here. We have Lady Bird Lake - a major recreation area for the city. Austin has a 10-mile Hike-and-Bike Trail around the lake which lies at the heart of Austin, with its unique urban path that meanders along the water's edge and the downtown core. The lake itself is exclusively for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding located near downtown. For many citizens and visitors, it represents the best Austin has to offer: outdoor recreation; a scenic, natural environment; and a diverse, vibrant mix of people. We also have the Austin Duck Tour which is an amphibious vehicle that travels the streets of Austin and then takes you out on to the waters of Lady Bird Lake.
With all these attractions located within walking distance from any of the hotels we have submitted for bid proposal, this would be an added attraction.
Austin is such a unique, vibrant city with so much to do! We are excited about what we have to offer. We are committed to offering the Best of Austin to our fellowship, and will work diligently to offer the best of the best to you! Keep Austin Weird!!! Proposed schedule of events
Golf Disc Golf Fun Run/Walk DJ Dance th Thursday Entertainment 4 of July fireworks Friday Entertainment Banquet Scavenger Hunt River Barge Dinner
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Hotel Info
Hyatt Regency Austin
Discover contemporary lifestyle comforts in an ideal location at Hyatt Regency Austin. Our lakeside Austin hotel combines casual chic with Hill Country style in the heart of Austin’s entertainment district. With spacious guestrooms showcasing views of downtown, a 24-hour StayFit Gym and a pool alongside an inviting sundeck, you'll fall in love with our resort-like retreat. Set on the shore of Lady Bird Lake, our ideally located AAA Four Diamond hotel lets you experience the best of our diverse city famous for live music, rock-star dining and innovative ideas all while enjoying the authentic hospitality that makes our Austin hotel a Hyatt. Cross the Congress Bridge, home to over a million bats, and find yourself by the Austin Convention Center and Texas State Capitol.
Versatile Downtown Austin Meeting Space
Take your meetings and events to a new level at the Hyatt Regency Austin. With over 33,000 square feet of flexible meeting space complimented by 15,000 square feet of pre-function space, our hotel is promises to provide an incredible backdrop for your event here in Austin. With our expert audiovisual services and creative catering, we've got you covered whether you're planning a board meeting for 10 or a conference for hundreds. Your attendees will also appreciate easy access to shopping, dining and everything the "Live Music Capital of the World" has to offer. From our 17th floor Foothills Ballroom with sweeping skyline views and the new 14,000+ square foot Zilker Ballroom to our cozy public spaces and lively outdoor patio perfect for networking, our hotel is a dynamic urban destination for Austin, TX events that matter. 10
Modern Hotel Rooms in Downtown Austin
Relax, work, or entertain in the perfect hotel room in Austin, TX. With a recent $30 million renovation project, Hyatt Regency Austin is your newly stylish home away from home. There’s a hotel room tailored to suit your style and taste, from oversized suites to pet friendly accommodations. Let us be your home when you travel, as you unwind with thoughtful amenities and modern touches, including spacious living and work areas, deluxe bath amenities and stylish, contemporary furnishings. Hyatt Regency Austin features 448 stylish guestrooms decked out in earth tones and rich woods. Each of our contemporary spaces feature triple-sheeted Hyatt Grand Bed™ with down duvets, Wi-Fi, a 32" flat screen TV, iHome stereo with iPod® docks, and a marble-clad bathroom with designer toiletries. For more space, upgrade to our Business Plan room or Deluxe Suite with sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake.
With the use of the Hyatt any overflow would go to the Embassy Suites setting directly across the street!
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites Austin Central is an all-suite hotel located in the center of Austin, TX. The private bedroom and separate living area offers comfortable space to spread out and relax while catching up on work or enjoying family time. Our suites supply all of the comforts of home including a TV in each room, living area with sofa bed, well-lit work table, wet bar, refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker. Our accessible suites offer the same great amenities as our standard suites but with added features for your ease of use, such as wider doors for wheelchair access, lower peepholes in doors, grab bars in bathrooms, and some have roll-in showers or accessible tubs. The corresponding photo may not reflect the specific accessible room type or room feature. 11
Hilton Austin
Explore Austin from the Hilton Austin hotel's downtown location. Stay in the heart of the city’s thriving entertainment district. The Hilton Austin hotel boasts 16,000 sq. ft. of health and fitness facilities at the Skyline Spa & Health Club. Work out in the fitness center and tone up in the weight room. Plunge into the 48-foot saline pool or unwind in the whirlpool overlooking the Austin skyline. Relax in the sauna, and indulge in a massage, facial or manicure at the spa. Host a business meeting, function or wedding in over 80,000 sq. ft. of space at this downtown Austin hotel. Select from 11 flexible meeting rooms and two elegant ballrooms. The Austin Grand Ballroom boasts 28,000 sq. ft. of versatile space. Enjoy the latest A/V equipment, a full-service business center, and a UPS store at the hotel.
Rooms & Suites
Guest Room: As a Guest of Hilton Austin, experience comfort and elegance in every guest room with Hilton Serenity beds featuring luxurious allergen-free down comforters and pillows, 250-thread-count sheets and duvet covers, plus mattress sets custom-designed for added support and comfort. Enjoy all the comforts of home with a flat-screen TV with cable and pay-per-view movies, video games, premium channels and coffeemaker. Suites: For Guests seeking added space to spread out, Hilton Austin features 25 suites ranging from 630 to 1,600 sq. ft. with five different suite configurations, including a luxurious Presidential Suite with a view of the Capitol. In addition to standard room amenities, including the Hilton Serenity bed, all suites provide an Executive Desk Set, TV with movies and video games, bottled water and a bathrobe. 12
JW Marriott Austin
In a city known for having an endless list of around-the-clock entertainment possibilities, you may not want to spend a lot of time in your guest room. But when it’s finally time to recharge and refresh, you’ll find no better place than the JW Marriott Austin, the leader among luxury hotels in Austin. Here, 1,012 carefully crafted guest rooms and suites feature the Marriott Revive registered bed with crisp linens, fluffy pillows and plush comforters. Catch up on the day’s events at the large, well-lit work desk with an ergonomic chair and wireless high- speed Internet access. A whole new realm of meeting possibilities has opened in downtown Austin. As the largest hotel in the city, and the first JW Marriott, our Austin conference center is home to eager and enthusiastic meeting planners standing by to help plan your event. Guests have access to an unprecedented 120,000 square feet of stylish, sophisticated Austin meeting and event facilities for large and intimate events. From a magnificent reception for 3,000 people in our 30,000-square-foot JW Grand Ballroom to an intimate, customized VIP gathering in one of our 42 meeting rooms, events both large and small will thrive.
Rooms & Suites
Stay in spacious and sophisticated accommodations in downtown Austin featuring sleek, modern design and unlimited views of the city skyline. 1,012 spacious, modern guest rooms, including 30 suites. Signature Marriott Revive® bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi, 48″ HD LED Smart TVs, glass showers and contemporary furnishings, marble countertops, upgraded bath amenities, large well-lit work desks with comfortable, ergonomic chairs, 24-hour room service and Impressive views of the Austin skyline. In addition, all guests can appreciate the variety of onsite restaurants, an extensive state-of-the-art fitness center, an outdoor pool and deck and much more. 13
Strength of the fellowship
Born out of a District of the former Texas Area (Houston), South Central Texas Area was created in 2001.
Before the SCTA became an Area, members from Austin, San Antonio and Kerrville supported the District by traveling to District meeting in Houston and Dallas. We were eager to learn all we could about expanding our fellowship and helping our other cities in Texas. We wanted to be a part of something that would help Cocaine Anonymous flourish all over Texas. At that time our numbers were small but we kept spreading the word and very quickly we saw an increase in our members.
We began with supporting our District with fundraisers for Conventions as well as CATW functions. Many of our small group would stepped up to be on these committees. At that time our fellowship was very small but we stepped up in great numbers and brought many members to volunteer and work at these events.
We understood that if our fellowship was to grow that service would be the way to make that happen. Since then we have never looked back. We are fully capable and ready to support any event for Cocaine Anonymous whether it is in our Area – Region or around the world.
Since its inception, Cocaine Anonymous and South Central Texas Area have continued to grow and flourish over the years. Starting with a handful of meetings, we have flourished to 56 currently. There are well over 800 people in our community. At one time, we were in the top 3 of H&I in the world. We strive to carry the message to all those willing to listen. We are many and there are a lot of old timers who are a part of this proposal.
South Central Texas area consists of Austin, San Antonio, Kerrville, Laredo, Corpus Christi, and all areas in between. We have recently incorporated the Rio Grande Valley Area back into the SCTA fold.
Austin and San Antonio are within one hour of each other and both have a combined population of 3.5 million. Kerrville is almost two hours away from Austin and San Antonio. When we get together, good things happen. We have a strong fellowship that believes “we are not being a glum lot”.
The SCTA supported the World Service Convention that was hosted by the Houston Area. We held fundraisers and many of our members sat on Convention Committees and made regular trips to Houston for Convention meetings for well over a year.
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We would like the opportunity to have a “Big Ole’TEXAS PARTY “again! SCTA has always been able to host several fundraisers, with excellent turn out, which has enabled us to be able to support and pay for most of the convention expenses in advance. Our fellowship is always ready and willing to support having FUN with FUNds. As we have done in the past, the SCTA will reach out to all the Cities in our Area/Region for their support. We have members young and old that are looking to put their past convention experience to work for the World Convention in 2020.
Planning and coordinating our annual Area conventions, Regional Conventions, when in rotation, and various other events, such as CATW and Unity events, we have continually had great participation and wonderful earning power.
The fellowship in SCTA is a very tight knit group and loves to be of service! We especially love to throw a party!!! The commitment to conventions and other events is amazing, not only from a service perspective, but as a participatory one, as well
When the idea for putting together a bid for the 2020 World Convention was first brought to the SCTA for consideration it was an overwhelming “YES” we want to do this. The Area was on board from the beginning. The bid planning began immediately.
We have dedicated members who regularly attend World Service Conventions, not only just for the FUN of it- they are of service. They work everything from the Source table to Registration to volunteering to help the Committee on site. Service work is in the SCTA DNA,it’s what we hold near and dear here “Deep in the Heart of Texas.”
Our fellowship in SCTA is dedicated, focused and eclectic. We love to get together as a group and plan and throw our awesome events. The feedback from our SCTA fellows and other CA attendees has always been overwhelming positive. We love what we do and how we plan and put on our events. We love to bring a little eccentricity and fun to each and every one!
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Prior Convention/Fundraising Experience
We here in the SCTA have held many Area conventions and two Regional conventions. All were profitable. Many exceeded all expectations. Three of our Conventions have netted over $14k.
If there is one thing we have proven is that we love to throw parties (aka) Conventions. During these processes we have enjoyed thinking outside out the box for activities and fundraising ideas. No idea is too small, and anything can happen. Ask around about or last regional we just held.
Almost everyone involved in service in the SCTA has prior convention experience. We believe that our experience, strength and prior knowledge may be the greatest asset of all. Having tried several opportunities at fundraising, we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. We are not experts but have a strong feel for succeeding at fundraising.
As Mentioned above: The SCTA supported the World Service Convention that was hosted by the Houston Area. We held fundraisers and many of our members sat on Convention Committees and made regular trips to Houston for Convention meetings for well over a year.
Support of Adjacent Area/Region
The Southwest Region is in full support of the South Central Texas Area hosting the 2020 Convention, as witnessed by the supporting vote at the Regional Caucus held in San Antonio, Texas in October 2015. As a result of the 2015 World Service Convention, who implemented committee members from all over the world, South Central Texas Area is planning on doing the same thing with the 2020 World Service Convention. Through the use of Google Hangouts, conference calls and other such groups, we can incorporate any and all folks who would like to participate and work on committees. We are also going to especially reach out to our Southwest Region to draw from our support group.
Areas within our region have offered to provide assistance with outreach, scheduling and provide guidance and direction if needed. 16
Transportation
Austin-Bergstrom is a state-of-the-art airport with 25 gates, full customs facility ready for the international traveler. Easy to get to (only 7 miles from downtown Austin) and easy to get through, passengers enjoy exception customer service Austin-style, with 23 live music performances each week, art exhibits and award-winning food. The airport has roughly 300 daily flights with nonstop service to 45+ destinations. A record 10.7 million passengers traveled through ABIA in 2014 and the numbers were even higher in 2015.
Airport: Austin-Bergstrom International (ABIA) Distance to Hotel: Approximately 7 miles Approximate Cost: $25.00 Cab Ride $13.00 Super Shuttle $1.75 Capital Metro Flyer Bus
City of Departure:
Atlanta $310 Amsterdam $1400 Calgary $350 Chicago $220 Boston $425 Denver $215 Glasgow $1500 Hong Kong $1225 Kansas City $320 London $1500 Los Angeles $300 New York $400 Montreal $400 Nashville $400 Orlando $350 Phoenix $400 San Francisco $400 Seattle $350
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Proposed Convention Chair
We know this is one of the many important positions to fill. With that in mind we found not only the people with strong leadership skills, but the know how to really pull something like this off. So here are just a couple of the many amazing people we have in our fellowship. Susan Calkins Loth
If you have yet to meet this wonderful woman, you are missing out. Watching her be of service in CA is truly amazing. There is nothing she is afraid of or unwilling to help out with. Having sat on previous World Conventions before, she is primed and ready for the task. Most of you know who she is and we hope you see what we do in her ability to accomplish this goal. Cliff Wright
What can you say about THIS guy??!!! From the moment he walked into the rooms, he’s been of service. He is motivated and does what it takes to get things done. Cliff has served in many capacities in the South Central Texas Area and on Area, Regional and World convention positions. Nobody doubts that Cliff can get the job done!
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Proposed Budgets
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NOTES
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AUSTIN TEXAS CAWS 2020!