Heart of Texas Conference 2026

In the summer of 1984, Herb, Ray, and Jim, along with their spouses, were traveling home from the 1st Aggie-Land Roundup when the thought arose: “Waco has as many drunks as Bryan College Station.” This idea sparked the notion that Waco might host an AA  conference in Waco. The three alcoholics, alongside their spouses, had no funds to support this dream, but by May 1995, they had successfully raised enough support to hold the first Heart of Texas Conference at the Brazos Inn in downtown Waco.

In 2020, for the first time in its history, the Heart of Texas Conference had to cancel due to the pandemic. As the United States and many other countries practiced social distancing, the conference committee faced the tough decision to cancel or postpone. Ultimately, it was decided to cancel the 2020 conference since it was uncertain when the shelter-in-place order would be lifted. Each committee member chose to remain in their roles and began planning for the 2021 conference.

The beginning of 2021 mirrored 2020 in many respects, but one thing remained clear: the need for in-person, face-to-face contact among alcoholics was vital for recovery. Thus, the committee decided to relaunch the conference in October 2021.

Now we find ourselves approaching the 41st conference! Over the years, thousands of alcoholics in the Central Texas community have experienced the true essence of one alcoholic helping another through their attendance at the Heart of Texas Conference. No matter the challenges, including the pandemic, we continue to persevere. As we look ahead to the future, Waco AA meetings, Steps, and conferences like this one remain a cornerstone of support for many in recovery.