You are invited to attend!

from the desk of the President John Romines... 

Kelli and I would like to welcome you all to the 109th TCA convention at the beautiful Horseshoe Bay Resort!  While the TCA hasn’t historically returned to the same location in back-to-back years, we heard a lot of folks chatting about what a good time they had at Horseshoe Bay during last year’s convention and we thought that made it a perfect setting to return to in 2020.  Of course, conducting business for the TCA is a top priority and I wanted to demonstrate that with this year’s theme:  TCA  – Fiber for the Future.  Woven in this notion is how the TCA is evolving to increase value to our membership, grow our political influence in Austin and adopt more robust policies that help benefit both our members and the industry as a whole.  

As for the festivities, we will again be holding the Triathlon where you’ll have a chance to shoot, swing or cast your way into Texas lore by taking home the silver challenge Cup! Additionally, we’re re-introducing a vendor area where you can drop by to purchase various Texas items or join us on the patio on Thursday afternoon to learn a bit about cigars.  Last but not least, Kelli and I are extremely excited to host this year’s President’s dinner where country music singer/songwriter Aaron Watson will be providing entertainment immediately following.  

On behalf of this year’s board of directors, I’d like to conclude by thanking each and every one of you for your support of this year’s convention and would like to offer a particular thanks to all our sponsors who make this event possible. 

And remember, the TCA is Fiber for the Future! 

John Romines

President

 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020

SHOOTING SPORTS will be the opening event of the TCA 2020 TRIATHLON! The bus will depart the hotel entrance at 8:00 a.m., for Copperhead Creek Shooting Club. If you are planning to participate, you will need to make your flight plans and hotel reservations to come in on Tuesday night. Cash prizes will be awarded and gold, silver and bronze medalists will be recognized.

BREAKING NEWS!!! The 2020 DALCOT is now The TCA DALCOT!!! The GOLF SCRAMBLE will be the 2nd event of the TCA 2020 TRIATHLON, held at the premier resort course, SLICK ROCK.  

Former DALCOT organizer, Greg Wakefield has this to say... "We are excited to announce that DALCOT will now be a part of the TCA annual conference. What does this mean?? Nothing changes except we get to play exciting new courses and attend the Texas Cotton Association meeting!! Whilst we know this is a big change, we believe that it is a good change and a responsible change for our industry.  We must recognize that in this difficult and challenging world, we all must adapt. By combining these storied events, we feel we can continue the traditions of the past and write new chapters for the future.  As we all reflect on the cost of doing business, we believe by combining the events we can bring savings to all, yet continue the strong traditions of the TCA and DALCOT.  Sponsor BOTH events and register for BOTH events!!" Greg Wakefield and Bryant Rawley are partnering up with Brady Raindl and Shawn Canale to organize the very best experience for the NEW TCA DALCOT scramble! Bus transportation will leave the hotel entrance at noon to shuttle golfers to the course. Cash prizes will be awarded and gold, silver and bronze medalists will be recognized. 

Later that night at the Palm D’Or Pavilion a special WELCOME TO TEXAS RECEPTION will be held from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., for your networking enjoyment.

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2020

A NETWORKING BREAKFAST LOUNGE will be provided for attendees prior to and during the committee meeting breaks, from 8 - 10:00 a.m.

POLICY MEETINGS will all begin at 8:30 a.m. We urge all committee members to attend and contribute to perfecting policy for our region and making any necessary suggestions to improve policy for our entire cotton industry. Merchant policy starts with the TCA and the other regional associations. Policy is sent to ACSA in which policy from the different regions are compiled, considered, and adopted as the merchants voice. The viability of our association depends on its members to formulate policy in the best interest of current trading practices in our region. We ask that you commit to serving this association by attending these meetings. This year, if you have been appointed to a committee as an Active (merchant or primary marketing member) or an Associate (advisory member), by attending and participating in the discussion you will be given a FREE raffle ticket good for a chance to win in the POLICY PARTICIPATION RAFFLE to be held during the General Session breakfast on Friday morning. Must be present to win. Further, the rules stipulate that you must be present within the first five minutes of the committee meeting and stay for the duration of the meeting. The Committee Chair will determine eligibility and disperse one FREE raffle ticket to each member that qualifies.

If you are a member of the TCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, we will meet to consider policy recommendations presented by the membership at 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

The 3rd event of the TEAM TCA 2019 TRIATHLON, is the wonderful 2 man per boat BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT. Boats will launch the resort dock at 11:30 a.m., returning at 3:30 p.m.  Weigh-in will follow to determine the winner! A shuttle bus will leave the hotel entrance for the resort dock at 11:00 a.m. It is a short walking distance to the dock if you prefer. A Texas fishing license is required and may be obtained online at https://www.txfgsales.com. One day passes are available at a reduced price. Cash prizes will be awarded and gold, silver and bronze medalists will be recognized.

After lunch, for those wanting to kick-back and relax, an outdoor CIGAR LOUNGE will be set-up from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m, on the Whitewater patio. 

TEXAS PRODUCT VENDORS will be set up in the foyer near the registration desk for an afternoon shopping delight from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.

The TRANSPORTATION RECEPTION will host a gathering of attendees from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m., on Live Oak Lawn adjacent to the Tower Pavilion.

PRESIDENT'S DINNER honoring President  and Mrs. John Romines will be in the Tower Pavilion from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Special entertainment will follow by country music singer/songwriter AARON WATSON from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. Get in line after the concert for an opportunity to get Aaron's autograph and thank him for the great performance!  

 

FRIDAY, April 17, 2020

We will convene the GENERAL SESSION in a seated breakfast meeting beginning at 9:00 a.m. In addition to hearing from Texas and ACSA cotton leadership, we will present our closing ceremony for the TCA 2020 TRIATHLON.  To determine the winner of the prestigious CUP,  participants will earn 5 points just for entering, and the top three finishers in each event (individually in shooting or as a team in golf or fishing) will earn 10, 15, and 20 additional points. For anyone not able to participate in all three events, the MARKET GUESS GAME will be allowed as a substitute. Cash awards and recognition of medalists in each category will take place. 

If you are a voting merchant member or primary buyer, we will meet immediately following, in EXECUTIVE SESSION to consider proposed convention policy resolutions. In order to conduct the business of this association and adopt resolutions proposed, we need a quorum of voting members present. We expect the Executive Session to conclude no later than 1:00 p.m.

If you are a member of the newly elected TCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, a brief meeting to conduct a few housekeeping issues will meet immediately following the Executive Session in the same room. Please make your flight arrangements home in accordance with the above two sessions, remembering that it will take approximately an hour to travel to the Austin airport.

We look forward to welcoming you to Horseshoe Bay in April! In keeping with our 109 years, the TCA is forward thinking... TEXAS COTTON ASSOCIATION - "FIBER FOR THE FUTURE", we look forward to making a brighter future for TEXAS COTTON and for our MEMBERS