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World Brangus Congress 2018
by Buck & Sidney Thomason
Dear Friends,
Many of you have attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The world comes to Houston to see the various breeds of cattle we have in the United States, view an awesome Rodeo, make new friends, and see old friends from not only here but other countries as well. 2018 will be the second time the United States has hosted the World Brangus Congress (WBC), and we wish to make this a truly memorable experience for everyone who attends.
Have you attended a World Congress? I attended my first WBC in 2009. Since then, we have traveled to Australia, Mexico, and South Africa. Each Congress has produced a new appreciation of how fellow cattlemen and women achieve quality cattle, with visits to beautiful ranches, and making new friends who all share a strong devotion for the Brangus cattle industry. It is a learning experience filled with surprises each day.
My goals for 2018 WBC are an accumulation of the things we have seen and learned while attending these events over the past eight years. I want to encourage you to come and join us for a week of learning, sharing, new experiences, and fun for all.
We will offer two Tours for this Congress. First, the Pre-Congress Tour will begin in Atlanta, Georgia, visiting various ranches in the southeast United States. This allows Brangus breeders in those areas to bring their livestock to central locations for the tour to see. The final stop on this tour will be in New Orleans. After spending time in New Orleans, the tour will continue to Houston.
The Post-Congress Tour will leave on Sunday, following the gala, winding its way to San Antonio to see the historical Alamo and the beautiful Riverwalk. The group will travel to Fort Worth with a stay in the famous Stockyards and Billy Bob’s Texas. There will be cattle to see along the way, as well as at the Stockyards. The trip will continue into East Texas winding back down south ending up back in Houston. All along the way there will be opportunities to visit and see Brangus breeders and ranches.
More details will follow on the tours but this is the timeline:
The 2018 WBC Headquarters will be the Royal Sonesta Hotel in the Galleria Area of Houston. This area offers plenty of shopping for the ladies, not only at the Galleria Mall but other shops within walking distance of the hotel. The Sonesta offers shuttle services within a three-mile radius.
The event will kick off on Feb. 27, with registration and a reception the first evening at the hotel. On Feb. 28, we will journey by bus to College Station for an exciting and educational day at Texas A&M University. One highlight of this day will be lunch in the new Equestrian Complex. There will be classes to attend at the University during the day as well. The ladies will have the opportunity to visit the President George H. Walker Bush Library located on the campus if they choose. Feb. 29 will begin with the opening meeting of the 2018 WBC at the Sonesta. Interpretors for the visiting countries will be available. On March 2, attendees will go to the Houston Livestock Show for the Bull show. On March 3, the Female Show will be at the Houston Livestock Show. There will also be a fun night at the rodeo. The event will close on March 3 with closing ceremony and a gala at the hotel.
We hope you will all come for a great time as America welcomes the World Brangus Congress!
For the most up-to-date information, visit the Federation of International Brangus Association’s website.
