
February, 2017
Convention Report
Ellis M. (Pat) Craig, Ph.D.
AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention Committee Chair
The AAIDD Texas Chapter Convention Committee has begun its work in planning the 2017 Convention. This year’s Convention will be held July 25-28 at the Westin Galleria in Houston. The Convention has been held at this hotel several times in the past. It offers free parking, ready access to one of the most well-known malls in the state and excellent meeting rooms. Our Convention Coordinator has negotiated very reasonable room rates.
The Planning Committee includes all the Board members and other involved members of the organization. Some preliminary decisions have already been made on the Convention theme (Exploring Possibilities – Creating Opportunities), structure of the sessions (e.g., requests for more classroom style seating), and selection of a keynote speaker. The Committee has carefully reviewed the evaluations submitted by last year’s attendees in an effort to improve the Convention experience.
The Call for Papers has been distributed, with a deadline of March 3, 2017. We hope that many of you will submit proposals. While regulatory issues, effective behavior interventions, and other professional-focused presentations are the most frequently submitted, we also encourage presentations directed at self-advocates and family members. We have actively encouraged the participation of the latter groups with consumer stipends that pay much of the cost of attendance. This year we are additionally offering interpretation assistance for individuals with limited English skills.
The exhibit area will again be a center of activity, with refreshments, a variety of exhibitors, and silent auction items that have been donated. Several networking opportunities will include food and beverage availability.
We have also focused recently on continuing education credits, including some special Pre-Convention workshops. Our Convention regularly receives high marks from the attendees for the quality and timeliness of the presentations. I hope you will join us this year!
42nd Annual Convention Committee
Pat Craig, Ph.D., Chair
Program/Consumer Stipends/Awards/Nominations
Texas State University – San Marcos
Eva Aguirre
Local Arrangements
The Center
Connie Cisneros
Awards/Nominations/Silent Auction
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
Margo Childs
Chair, Local Arrangements
The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
Jermaine East
Exhibitors/Sponsors
MHMRA of Brazos Valley
Steve Fitzner
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Spindletop Center
Charlotte Kimmel, Ph.D.
Local Arrangement
Cheryl Petty
Consumer Stipends/Silent Auction
Austin Travis Country Integral Care
Melissa Rasco
Chair, Silent Auction
CALAB
Ollie Seay, Ph.D.
Awards/Nominations
Texas State University
Lisa Shelby
Consumer Stipends
Austin Travis County Integral Care
Dion White
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Center for Life Resources
Melissa Whitworth
Chair, Exhibitors/Sponsors
Bluebonnet Trails Community Services