A.A. Celebrates 65th Anniversary

Dateline: 6/29/2000

The 65th Anniversary celebration of Alcoholics Anonymous is expected to draw upwards of 50,000 people representing A.A. from around the globe. They began converging on Minneapolis, MN for the June 29 through July 2, 2000 International Convention.

Members from Togo, A.A.'s newest outpost in West Africa, are attempting with all the vigor of the newly sober to make their way to Minneapolis and experience the wonder of not being so alone in their search for sobriety. In addition, over 75 countries will be represented at the four day event, including the United States, Mexico, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan and Spain, to name a few.

The theme Pass It On - Into The 21st Century, marks the 11th International Convention for the Fellowship and promises to be one of the single largest conventions in the world. Traditionally, A.A. holds an International Convention every five years, the first one held in Cleveland in 1950 and the most recent one set in San Diego, CA in 1995.

The First International in Cleveland was historic in that the A.A. Fellowship adopted its Twelve Traditions on the Sunday afternoon of that Convention. It was also the last appearance of one of its co-founder's Dr. Bob. This year, 50 years later, the assembled members will remember with gratitude the Legacy of Unity embodied in these Traditions left them by the pioneers of A.A.

Big Meetings

Three "big" meetings are scheduled where A.A.s are expected to fill the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome, beginning with The Flag Ceremony and Opening Meeting on Friday, June 30. Convention-goers can attend the Saturday Old-timers Meeting on July 1 and on Sunday will gather again for the Closing Meeting where they will say farewell until they meet again in 2005 in Toronto, Canada.

These meetings will be simultaneously interpreted into other languages including Spanish, French and American Sign Language. In addition, starting on Thursday night at 12:00 Midnight through Sunday, Marathon Meetings will be held in English and Spanish at the Minneapolis Convention Center and at the Hilton and Hyatt hotels.

Topic Meetings, Workshops, Panels, Special Interest Meetings and Regional Meetings will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Convention Center, Symphony Hall and the Hilton, Hyatt and Regal Hotels. Al-Anon Family Groups, a fellowship for friends and relatives of alcoholics, and Alateen have scheduled a variety of daytime activities, including meetings and workshops at the Marriott, Marquette and the Radisson Hotels.

For more information on the International Convention Pass It On - Into The 21st Century, call (212) 870-3400 or write the Public Information Coordinator, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.

Source: AAWS News Release.