Recreation and Spouse Events

ECC Golf Tournament

The 2012 ECC Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, September 10, 8:00am shotgun start. The tournament will take place at the resort's Palmer Signature Course. Join your peers and colleagues for what is always a high spirited game. The tournament is scramble style.

ECC Golf Tournament fee per player: $159 (includes tournament, breakfast and lunch…and awards if you have a great day on the course!)

Attendees may register a Spouse for the conference.

Spouse registration:     $199 (includes the following)

• Wednesday …Welcome Cocktail Reception
• Thursday …Spouse Breakfast, Cocktail Reception, Dinner and Dessert Reception
• Friday…Spouse Breakfast

Optional Spouse/Family Events

The following spouse events will be offered at this year's annual conference

A Day in Gruene and Lunch at the famous Gristmill! Thursday, Sept 6, 9am to 2pm $79.00

This outing takes us to the old cotton gin town of Gruene (pronounced Green) settled by the early Germans in the 1840’s. Gruene prospered until the boll weevil killed the cotton industry in the early 1920’s and the Great Depression struck. The little town slept for about 50 years until a group of people bought it lock, stock and barrel. Today, it is the “it” place to go for dancing and boot scootin’ in “Gruene Hall”, the oldest dance hall in Texas, and for antiques, wines, hand- made pottery, clothing and rafting on the beautiful Guadalupe River. Shopping in the old buildings and houses is a real adventure as you walk around this old, memory-filled little town. The old general store is filled with goodies from homemade fudge, children’s books and toys, Christmas ornaments, funnel cake kits and Blue Bell ice cream. Just don’t trip over the old license plates which cover holes in the floor! Lunch will be served at The Gristmill Restaurant, situated on a bluff overlooking the Guadalupe River in Gruene Texas and counted as one of Texas’ most unique dining experiences. You’ll see why this charming town and renowned restaurant are among South Texas most beloved experiences!

Memories of Julia…brought to you by Central Market Thursday, Sept 6, 10am to 2pm $135.00

You will have the hands-on opportunity to recreate some of Julia Child’s favorite dishes in your own kitchen with the help of our amazing experts. You’ll learn something new and exciting as you step into the kitchen and cook a complete meal with the world-class instruction and culinary expertise of one of Central Market’s talented chefs. Then it’s time to enjoy the fruit of your labor before heading out into the world equipped with new tricks, skills and a complete recipe packet to recreate your masterpiece at home! Menu includes Cream of Cauliflower Soup; Bitter Green Salad with Poached Eggs; Boeuf Bourguignon (Red Wine Braised Beef with Mushrooms); and Tarte Tatin (French Upside-down Caramelized Apple Tart) with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

San Marcos Outlets Shuttle...Shop til you Drop! Thursday, Sept 6, 9am to 3pm $30.00

Bargain hunters can save a fortune scouring the myriad of manufacturer and designer shops spread through-out the San Marcos Premium Outlets. From Coach, J. Crew and Pottery Barn Furniture to Bose, Brooks Brothers and Crate & Barrel, there are more places than most can manage in a day (140 outlet stores) so it's smart to plan a strategy before hitting the pavement. Let the VIP Coupon Book provided upon your arrival be your guide to those in-the-moment special deals.

Create your own French Bistro…brought to you by Central Market Friday, Sept 7, 10am to 2pm $135.00

Another wonderful opportunity to step into the kitchen and cook a complete meal with the world-class instruction and culinary expertise of one of Central Market’s talented chefs. Everyone loves the comforting flavors and relaxed vibe of a bistro meal. Join us for this popular hands-on class and learn to make these recipes that you can easily replicate at home: Moules Frites (Bistro Style Mussels & Fries); Lamb Chops au Poivre; Ratatouille; Crème Brulee

All Day Shuttle to the Riverwalk…Explore on your own! Friday, Sept 7, 9am - 3pm $30.00

Enjoy all that the famous San Antonio Riverwalk has to offer. The San Antonio River Walk is a public park, open 365 days a year. It is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath approximately 5 miles of downtown San Antonio. Lined by bars, shops and restaurants, the River Walk is an important part of the city's urban fabric and is a tourist attraction in its own right. It connects the major tourist draws from the Alamo to Rivercenter Mall, Arneson River Theatre and La Villita, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Pearl Brewery. You can visit the “Shrine of Texas Liberty” – the Alamo just 2 blocks from the Riverwalk. The shuttle service today departing the JW Marriott Friday, Sept. 7 at 9:00 AM will make the 30 minute ride into town and drop at 2 points along the Riverwalk. Return trips will depart downtown at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM

WINE TASTING...Friday, September 9, 4:00pm - 5:30pm …$68 (open to ATTENDEES too!)
This begins just after the conference close on Friday, so it is open to attendees as well as spouses. Enjoy deepening your knowledge of amazing wines and interacting with other wine enthusiasts as you sample some wonderful varieties of wines.