"The Unconventional Convention"

Southwest Section Convention 2013

American Association of Petroleum Geologists

Hosted by the SWS‐AAPG

GEOFEST 2013

FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS

April 6‐10

Download Detailed Information and Registration

Bruce Swartz & Amy Noack – Co‐General Chairs

Stonnie Pollock & Robert Springer – Co‐Technical Chairs

The Southwest Section of the AAPG Unconventional Convention

Guten Tag from Fredericksburg, Texas! Once again, the Southwest Section of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists exhibits forward thinking by conducting the SWS-AAPG Annual Convention in Fredericksburg, Texas, an unconventional location where no affiliated society is located. Members from each of the SWS sister societies volunteer to fill the committees who collaborate on and coordinate this neutral-site event. Convention attendees will take advantage of the exciting venues and activities in and around Fredericksburg.

This year’s convention "kicks off" early Saturday morning, April 6th, with an incredible Llano Uplift/Enchanted Rock field trip. The field trip, led by Drs. Emilio Mutis-Duplat and Emily Stoudt from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, offers a rare in-depth depositional history of the pre-cambrian and older paleozoic rocks surrounding the Llano Uplift. On Sunday, April 7th, the annual SWS free all-day short course will be held. Lindell Bridges with Pure Earth Resources in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will present "The Basic Tools of Shale Exploration". Following this intriguing course, attendees will head over to the Ice Breaker at the Hanger Hotel Conference Center where they will renew acquaintances with fellow professionals and update themselves on the latest technology from all of the exhibitors. Monday brings the opening session, with a keynote address from Robert A. Malone, former Chairman of the Board and President of BP America, Inc. A full day of technical sessions and exhibits is "on tap", including the DPA luncheon featuring former AAPG president Dick Bishop who will present, "U.S. Shales in Perspective of a World Supply in Transition".

Now "hold onto your hats"! Monday evening, we are all heading down to Luckenbach, Texas for a good ol’ Texas "hootenanny". The Luckenbach dancehall, where outlaw country music was made famous, will be the center of attention while Austin local Jesse Dayton plays the best of this legendary style of music. A Texas barbeque dinner, including all the "fixin’s", will be "served up" by the Salt Lick BBQ followed by dancing, visiting and strolling around the historic town. Tuesday, April 9th features a morning session of technical papers and exhibits followed by the All-Convention Luncheon, where former AAPG President, Dr. Pete Rose, will present, "Fredericksburg, Texas: Geologic Setting, Selected Wineries, and Frontier History". Dr. Rose then leads the highly anticipated "Wine in the Texas Hill County" Field Trip to three of the area’s top wineries. Not attending the wine tour? You might gather up a foursome and head over to the newly renovated LBJ Golf Course! Otherwise, there are so many attractions in Fredericksburg we cannot list them all. Stonnie Pollock and Robert Springer have put together an outstanding technical session which concludes Wednesday at noon.

Don’t miss out! Make your hotel reservations now – rooms will fill up quickly since the convention is being held during the popular wine season. Nine hotels, which are listed on another page in the brochure, have rooms blocked out for the convention. These rooms will only be blocked through March 7th. Shuttle service between the Hangar Hotel and the other satellite hotels will be provided on Monday, April 8th and Tuesday, April 9th.

Bruce Swartz – General Chairman

Information and Registration

Please download complete information and registration form here.