November 13-15, 2024
21st Annual Waterways Symposium
Board of Directors and Annual Membership Meetings
Waterways Council, Inc. and The Waterways Journal invite you to join us on The San Antonio River Walk as we facilitate conversation and fellowship around our inland waterways.
We'll hear from experts in the elections, geopolitics, and infrastructure arenas. We'll stay at La Mansión, a historic Spanish colonial and European-style Four Diamond grand hacienda in the heart of the River Walk. We'll enjoy elevated Mexican cuisine at The Alamo and experience Texas favorite's - BBQ and seafood - at exclusive Rio-front restaurants. The full agenda is listed below.
2024 Agenda
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
12:30 p.m. Waterways Symposium Registration Opens | La Mansión: Madero Foyer (5th Floor)
1:30 – 4:15 p.m. WCI Annual Membership/Board of Directors Meeting | La Mansión: Madero Room (5th Floor)
WCI Members Only
4:15 – 6:00 p.m. Opening Reception | La Mansión: Four Brothers Restaurant (1st Floor)
6:00 p.m. Dinner | The Alamo, 300 Alamo Plaza
Enter through the Alamo Church to tour and join us in the Alamo Gardens and Ralston Family
Collections Center for dinner, dessert, cocktails, and music.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14
All sessions in La Mansión: Iberian Room (5th Floor) unless otherwise noted.
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Buffet Breakfast | La Mansión: Madero Room (5th Floor)
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Geopolitical Importance of the U.S. Inland Waterways
Rodger Baker, Executive Director of the Stratfor Center for Applied Geopolitics at RANE
10:00 – 10:50 a.m. USACE Update
Edward Belk, Director of Civil Works, US Army Corps of Engineers
10:50 – 11:05 a.m. National Rivers Hall of Fame National Achievement Award
Presentation to the 2024 Award Recipient, To Be Announced
11:05 – 11:30 a.m. Networking Break | La Mansión: El Cabildo Room (Split Level 4th Floor)
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Speaker | La Mansión: Madero Room
Nathan Gonzales, Editor and Publisher, Inside Elections
1:00 – 1:45 p.m. General Session
Details forthcoming
1:45 – 2:15 p.m. Networking Break + Sweet Treat | La Mansión: El Cabildo Room
2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Economic Outlook: Global Supply Chain for Commodities Moving on the Inland Waterways
Ken Eriksen, Managing Member and Strategic Advisor, Polaris Analytics and Consulting
3:00 p.m. Closing Remarks and Adjourn
Tracy Zea, President and CEO, Waterways Council, Inc.
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Closing Reception | Ostra Restaurant, Mokara Hotel, 212 W Crockett Street
Join us across the river from La Mansion, using Selena’s Arch Bridge, for cocktails at this
seafood destination and riverfront patio.
Evening Dinner | On Your Own
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15
7:30 – 9:00 a.m. Buffet Breakfast | La Mansión: Madero Room
9:00 a.m. Adjourn
Omni La Mansión del Rio
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Waterways Symposium Group Rate - from $249/night
Situated in the heart of historic downtown San Antonio, Omni La Mansión del Rio features luxury accommodations tucked alongside the beautiful, famous River Walk.
Please utilize this link for reservations to access our group rate. Reservations can also be made via a call to 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664) and referencing our group. Room block closes Wednesday, October 23. |
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Travel
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
Taxi Service from Airport: approximately $23 one way |
Parking
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Registration & Sponsorship
Registration is $650 or $325 for government employees.
Support the Waterways Symposium by considering a sponsorship of the event. Our combined commitment to the inland waterways and your generosity provides a path for continued success for the future!
Platinum* | $5,000 Gold | $3,500 Silver | $2,000
Thank you to our sponsors for championing this experience for our industry and WCI's priorities.
Please reach out to Amber McClay, amcclay@waterwayscouncil.org or 202/765-2166 for registration and accommodations support.
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Discover the rich history and entertainment San Antonio has to offer. La Mansión Concierge suggestions. Our *Must-Do* suggestion: visit Historic Market Square just 0.5 mile from La Mansión.
Restaurant Suggestions
Great for early-arrival or late-departure lunch on the River Walk: From La Mansión headed East Rita's's on the River (Mexican) | 245 E Commerce Street | 1 min walk The County Line (BBQ) | 111 W Crockett Street | 3 min walk Mad Dogs British Pub | 123 Losoya Street | 6 min walk Saltgrass Steak House | 502 River Walk | 9 min walk
*Must-Do* In Historic Market Square Mi Tierra Café Y Panaderia (Classic Mexican & Bakery) | 218 Produce Row | 15 min street walk
Great for business dinner on the River Walk: From La Mansión headed East Paesanos Riverwalk (Italian) | 111 W Crockett Street | 4 min walk Landry's Seafood House | 517 N Presa Street | 5 min walk Brenner's on the River Walk (Steakhouse) | 215 Losoya Street | 8 min walk Boudro's (Steak and Seafood) | 421 W Commerce | 10 min walk
From La Mansión headed West Domingo (Mexican-Inspired) | 123 N. St. Mary's Street | 2 min walk Dorrego's (Argentinian) | 150 E Houston Street | 5 min walk
Further Down the San Antonio River Supper | 136 E Grayson Street | 10 min drive, inside Hotel Emma
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