In case you have not heard, the second bi-annual East Texas Reception will be held on February 19th from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in Austin, Texas at the Mansion at Judges Hill. This reception promises take a great event from the recent past and make it even better. For those of you who are familiar with the venue, you know that the Mansion at Judges Hill offers both a distinctive and elegant atmosphere second to none in the Austin area. Remember, through this event, all East Texas civic, business, and not-for-profit leaders will have an opportunity to network with each other and meet in an informal setting with our state elected officials to discuss the issues that are important to them.

 

Tickets to the reception are $50.00 each for our local elected and appointed officials and their guests; and of course, State Legislators and their staff members may attend at no cost. Please be sure to hold the date on your calendars and spread the word. Formal invitations were issued in early January.

 

Event sponsors are needed to help underwrite the cost of the reception; and a number of sponsorship opportunities are still available through January.  Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsorships all offer a certain number free event guest passes and differing levels of recognition and positive exposure for those organizations that wish to sponsor the reception. For more details and information about event sponsorship, please go to our event web page.

 

Please note that as in the past, we will be distributing a regional issues survey to our entire membership and compiling and posting the results of the survey in support of the reception. We will also be accepting nominations soon for the 2013 Legislator of the Year award which will be presented at the reception to the State Legislator that has "demonstrated valuable and dedicated service to regional cooperation". 

 

A little more than two years ago, ETCOG County Judges and Commissioners asked us to plan and execute the very first region wide East Texas Reception. ETCOG staff took on the challenge and the event was an amazing success. Sponsorships from many East Texas business and jurisdictional interests helped to offset the costs of the event that saw over 100 guest officials in attendance. State Senator Kevin Eltife was honored by our local elected officials as the "Legislator of the Year" and the issues of the day were discussed in an informal and welcoming setting complete with food and fellowship. Feedback received from the event was unanimous that a reception should be planned once again for the benefit of our Mayors, County Judges, Councilmen and Councilwomen, and Commissioners that welcome the opportunity to encourage and visit with their state legislators during the session. We listened to your comments and recommendations. 

 

Thank you in advance for your support and confidence.  As I have written before, I cannot think of more excellent tasks for a regional council to fulfill than those tasks that succeed in uniting all East Texan's to address common needs. This event in part certainly helps us all meet that objective!