AUSTIN AWAITS

With the successful completion of our state conference, it is once again time to turn our thoughts toward the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) general conference.  This year’s conference will be in Austin, Texas, August 20th – 23rd.  We hope to have a large Arkansas delegation to promote our conference resolutions and goals that will benefit not only Arkansas’ guardsmen and women but the entire National Guard.   

Conference activities include officer professional development (OPD) opportunities and business meetings involving many of our nation’s military and political leaders.  Events involving our resolutions committee begin Friday, August 20th.  The fun and excitement begins that evening at the company grade officer mixer at the Scholz Garten with a lot of good food, music and cold beer.  Not to be outdone, that same evening, Stubb’s BBQ will serve their legendary Texas style barbeque beef, pork, and turkey slow smoked to perfection to the warrant officers at their mixer.  On Saturday evening, August 21st, everyone is invited to the Governor’s reception for a colorful, action-packed authentic Texas style rodeo complete with a meal.

To ensure our spouses and guests enjoy the day while the officers attend meetings, there will be four adventure trips from which to choose on Sunday, August 22nd …..  a Riverwalk Ramble in San Antonio, Shopping Therapy at the San Marcos Outlet Mall, a visit to Texas Hill Country Antiques at Fredericksburg, and an Austin shopping trip to Remember the Domain with its impeccable restaurants and luxury shops such as Neiman-Marcus and Macy’s.   Sunday is also Hospitality Night.  Arkansas will join with other Southeast Conference (SEC) states to sponsor a great night of food, drink and fun.  Our plans take us to The Cedar Door, a local restaurant and sports bar, where we can enjoy their house specialty drink, “The Frozen Martini”.  Reports indicate that this is a drink you will never forget (unless of course you have too many!).  Plenty of food will be available as well.  In addition, the other states will be hosting their own hospitality events; so everyone can spend the evening visiting the different states’ hospitality locations and sampling their down home food and beverages.

Then on Monday, August 23rd, the conference concludes with the States Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the Austin Convention Center.  The attire for this event is described as “Texas formal”, so bring your cowboy hat and boots!  Arkansas, along with the other 100 percent association membership states, will enjoy preferred seating at the dinner and the following fantastic entertainment. 

Other events during the conference include the NGAUS golf tournament, fun run and a retiree luncheon.   Youngsters (ages 13-18) can participate in the Backpack Journalism Program which encompasses newsgathering, writing and photography techniques.  Browse through the conference schedule of events and other appropriate links at www.ngaus.org to learn much more about the conference.

The Arkansas delegation will lodge at the Sheraton Hotel and Resort in Austin.  Located at 701 East 11th Street, we will be minutes away and within walking distance of Austin’s famous 6th Street entertainment district.  NGAA has reserved fifty sleeping rooms at the Sheraton.  In addition, the Arkansas hospitality room will provide breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages each day for our delegation.  This room is for our delegation’s use to visit with fellow delegates and NGAA corporate members in attendance.

Conference registration is $165.00 per person.  Click here for conference registration form.  Hotel rooms are $145.00 per night plus 15% tax.  A $100.00 room deposit will be required along with your registration form and payment.  The room deposit will be credited to your hotel bill upon checkout.  When you submit your completed registration form to NGAA you will automatically be assigned to one of our reserved rooms at the Sheraton.  If you do not wish to stay at the Sheraton, please indicate that on your registration form; but you must then make your own arrangements.  The final date that NGAA can accept your registration form and ensure that you will be assigned to one of our reserved rooms is June 25th.  After that date, any unused reserved rooms will go back to the hotel.  You may still register to attend the conference until August 20th, but NGAA cannot guarantee you a room.  You will need to make your own room reservations after June 25th.  If, after registering, you are unable to attend the conference, you must inform the NGAA staff prior to August 22nd if you wish reimbursement. 

If traveling by air to and/or from Austin, please fill in the appropriate travel blocks on the conference registration form.  The host state will use this information to provide free transportation to and from the airport on August 19th, 20th, and 24th.  If you plan to arrive or depart on dates other than these, you must make your own arrangements.

As is our custom, NGAA will provide each member of the Arkansas delegation with a shirt designed appropriately for the conference; so please indicate your shirt size(s) on the conference registration form.  Our association president will ask everyone to wear the shirts during one of the events to show our “team spirit”.  Trading pins will also be provided for swapping with other states. 

The NGAA staff will be glad to answer your questions and help you with your NGAUS conference registration.  Contact us at 1-800-522-1617 or 501-758-6422.  See you in Austin!