CLEVELAND, July 28 — BLET members will convene in San Antonio, Texas, from September 12-16, 2010, for the 75th annual Southwestern Convention Meeting (SWCM).
Convention Chairman Russell Elley and the members of BLET Division 197 have arranged for four days of union education and safety training along with family fun and entertainment.
Guests will stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio, on the River Walk at Paseo del Alamo. The hotel is conveniently situation along the River Walk and within easy walking distance of The Alamo and several other entertainment options. The room rate is $139 per night and reservations can be made by calling (888) 421-1442.
All convention registration forms and a link to the Hyatt website for making online reservations can be found on the BLET website:
https://www.ble-t.org/info/meetings/swcm
More details are also on the SWCM website:
http://bletswcm.org/index2.html
Early registration begins on Sunday, September 12. Those who arrive that day can help raise money for the SWCM scholarship fund by participating in the Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament.
The annual SWCM golf tournament will take place on Monday, September 13, at The Republic Golf Club. The Republic was voted the No. 1 golf course in San Antonio by readers of the San Antonio Express-News in 2006, 2007 and 2009.
Also scheduled for September 13 is the BLET Auxiliary trip, a welcome reception, and a mobilization workshop.
Sightseeing attractions in the area include the Alamo, the Missions district, the San Antonio art museum, old San Antonio Village, historical churches, and El Mercado, the largest Mexican marketplace outside of Mexico.
Opening ceremonies are slated for Tuesday, September 14. There will be closed meetings for the BLET and BLET Auxiliary in the afternoon, following by a reception and dinner at the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum.
Workshops are scheduled all day on Wednesday, September 15, with classes for Local Chairmen and Secretary-Treasurers. The Federal Railroad Administration will be on hand Wednesday afternoon for a question and answer session with BLET members.
The 75th annual SWCM concludes the evening of September 15 with the formal banquet.
For more information about the 2010 SWCM in San Antonio, please contact arrangements chairman Russell Elley at: r.elley@att.net.