SHUMLA was privileged to receive a request from the Texas Archeological Society (TAS) to host the Society's 80th Annual Meeting in Del Rio, Texas. The meeting was held October 23–25, 2009, headquartered at the Ramada Del Rio hotel, with all activities held at the Del Rio Civic Center.

After a year of planning and preparation, the meeting was an overwhelming success, with almost 300 registered attendees at the event. TAS members from all over Texas, and even several from outside the state, traveled to Del Rio to present and attend papers and presentations on a wide variety of research topics.

The special events sessions were well attended and were highly complimented. Between 400 and 500 people were present for the Friday night Public Forum, featuring SHUMLA’s Executive Director Dr. Carolyn Boyd and world renowned French rock art researcher Dr. Jean Clottes. Many of those present were residents of Del Rio, fascinated to hear about the ongoing research taking place in their own back yard and the significance of the region's rock art to other imagery around the world.

For more information about the forum and photos of activities click here.

In addition, field trips offered the opportunity to visit rarely available sites and were booked close to full capacity.

SHUMLA would like to extend a special thanks to everyone on the Local Arrangements Committee, especially Bill Sontag, and to all the sponsors that made this meeting such a success. Many attendees have said it was one of the very best.

Well done Del Rio!