CLEVELAND, May 23 — The city of San Francisco will host members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen from July 14-18, 2013, for the 73rd annual International Western Convention (IWC).
Event co-chairmen Oscar A. Burrola (Local Chairman, Division 839) and Luis Chavez Jr. (Local Chairman, Division 283), along with the members of their Arrangements Committee, have organized what is sure to be a memorable convention.
Guests will stay at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, and reservations can be made by calling (800) 424-8292, or through the IWC website, www.iwc2013.org. Members are advised to book early as space is limited and there is not a contracted overflow hotel. Hotel reservations must be made by June 14, 2013. IWC registration forms post-marked on or before July 1, 2013 will receive a $25 discount. Registration forms are on the IWC website: www.iwc2013.org.
Six educational workshops are slated for the 2013 IWC, including training classes for Secretary-Treasurers, Local Chairmen and Legislative Representatives. There will also be a hazardous materials workshop, a BLET mobilization workshop, and a conductor certification workshop.
Scheduled events include traditional opening ceremonies, a golf tournament on July 15 at the Presidio Golf Course, and the IWC banquet. During the golf tournament, members will be eligible to win a Harley Davidson in a special hole-in-one contest.
The city of San Francisco is home to numerous world-renowned tourist destinations. IWC organizers are encouraging members to explore the city by purchasing a San Francisco CityPASS. San Francisco CityPASS is a ticket booklet that gives you unlimited cable car rides plus admission to four major San Francisco tourist attractions for $84 (42% off the combined admission price). The pass can be used for seven days and includes: the California Academy of Sciences; Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise; Aquarium of the Bay or Monterey Bay Aquarium; and Exploratorium or de Young Museum. It is possible to replace the Blue & Gold tour with a tour of Alcatraz. For more details, call (415) 981-7625 or visit: www.citypass.com/san-francisco.
For more information about the 2013 IWC, please visit www.iwc2013.org or contact Co-Chair Oscar A. Burrola (buroa@comcast.net or (209) 815-0651) or Co-Chair Luis Chavez Jr. (blet283@yahoo.com or (209) 815-7478).