Future TASFAA Annual Conference Dates Announced
Submitted by Don Buehrer, Nelnet, Chair, TASFAA Site Selection Committee

The hotel and conference sectors appear to be rebounding from 9-11, as more and more people regain faith in the airline and travel industries. Hotel rates have begun a climb from their low rates following 9-11.

With the above in mind, the TASFAA Board of Directors has challenged the TASFAA Site Selection Committee to consider securing locations five years in advance for the TASFAA Annual Conference.

Although a few contracts need to be signed, the Site Selection Committee has secured the following locations for future TASFAA Annual Conferences:

• 2007 – October 3-5, Galveston Island Convention Center. Hotels will be The Hilton Resort and the San Luis Hotel.
• 2008 – October 8-10, Houston, The Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks
• 2009 – October 7-9, Arlington, The Arlington Convention Center. Hotels will be The Wyndham Hotel and the Hilton Hotel
• 2010 – TBD (San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Corpus Christi)
• 2011 – October 5-7, Arlington, The Arlington Convention Center. Hotels will be The Wyndham Hotel and The Hilton Hotel.

We have tried to find additional locations for our event but with very little success. Hotels in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas tell us that the timing of our conference is during their peak season and they will not offer any discounts. We would have to pay at least $185 per room (today’s rate) instead of the $120-$130 rate we have negotiated. Many locations have suggested we consider holding the conference at a different time of the year to avoid peak periods. In addition, over the years, our Annual Conference has grown so large that many locations simply can’t accommodate our meeting, thereby limiting our options. I’m sure future TASFAA Boards and Site Selection committees will continue to address these issues.

The Board has also approved the site for the 2007 New Aid Officers Workshop. Patrick Reyna, next year’s Site Selection Committee Chair, has begun negotiations with St. Mary’s University on that contract.

We expect to have a recommendation for the location of the 2010 Annual Conference to the TASFAA Board for their consideration at the October Board Meeting.

A special thank you to Patrick Reyna (AMS) and Marci Beasley (Texas Tech) for serving on the Site Selection Committee.