I’m Gene T., and I am humbled and very grateful to be sober in SA since December 30, 2008. And by God’s grace, I’m the committee chair for our International Convention in Dallas this summer (July 2025).

I don’t remember how long ago some of our sober members in the South Midwest Region began dreaming of a convention in Dallas. But when I heard it mentioned, I said, “Oh boy, but oh no!” I had been to several International Conventions and saw how much work went into creating those experiences. I was afraid.

Sometime around 2016, we officially began planning a Texas convention for 2020. Long discussions, team building, hotel visits … and then COVID. But we continued to plan: bylaws, tax reports, tax exempt status application. When we finally got our federal tax exemption approved as the North Dallas Intergroup Fellowship, we plowed ahead with applications to the SA Central Office in Tennessee (SAICO) and the International Convention Committee (ICC) and a lot of prayer.

With so many planning steps taken, the members around Dallas really began to organize. People in both SA and S-Anon began offering help. The South Midwest Region came alive with a collective “Yes, we can help!” The Dallas Convention has become a true International Convention, too. People we communicate with from around the world are coming to Texas to help work on “Surrender, Deep in the Heart of Texas.”

Chairing this convention has already been the most powerful spiritual experience of surrender and sanity and serenity of my 78 years on our earth!

Let us welcome you to our great state this summer for easy airport access (from DFW Airport), free covered parking, super air conditioning, an outstanding hotel (the Hyatt Regency), beautiful views, an awesome area of the planet, the most gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, Texas cuisine, and the first and only 2025 International Convention in Dallas, Texas, USA! God be with you in your plans and preparation. We welcome you, and we wish you a safe journey.

For all the information you’ll need, visit DallasHeart2025.org.

Y’all come!