Welcome to the 41st Annual Big Country AA Conference!
Our theme, “Fellowship of the Spirit,” reminds us that we are not alone. As members of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon, we walk together, guided by spiritual principles, sharing strength, hope, and experience.
This fellowship is built not just on recovery, but on connection — the deep and sustaining kind that transforms lives. As you listen to speakers, participate in meetings, and engage with others throughout the weekend, may you feel that spirit of unity and belonging that makes our program so powerful.
Let this conference be a celebration of recovery, a re-connection with purpose, and above all — a true experience of the Fellowship of the Spirit.
Abilene Convention Center
The 41st Annual Big Country AA Conference will be held in beautiful downtown Abilene TX at the Abilene Convention Center September 4th-6th, 2026.
Located at 1100 North 6th Street our event this year is full of “Fun and Fellowship.” With many incredible speakers and an ice-cream social event on Friday night. We welcome you to join this great West Texas AA “Fellowship of the Spirit.”
DoubleTree by Hilton reservations link. Mention Big Country Conference for discounted rate.
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History of Big Country AA Conference
The early days of inception of the Big Country Conference came from three barhopping alcoholics in West Texas who found freedom from alcohol through the solution found in Alcoholics Anonymous in the early 70’s. Their experience at a Lubbock Texas AA Conference in July of 1978 had two of them, while working a ranch fence line, talking about wanting to startup a conference in the Big Country area of Central West Texas as well.
After a hard day on the ranch, they met up at the AA club with their friend for coffee before a meeting and discussed with a group of Old Timers what they thought about their idea. The Old Timers quickly gave the conference their blessing and encouraged the three younger people to get to work on starting an Abilene conference. The next Monday night the Pioneer Group voted to support the founding of the conference, and then the following Monday the first Big Country AA conference meeting was convened.
Click here to read the full story. Original Handwritten Story Letters.
AA Grapevine & La Viña
The Grapevine was created by six AA members in the New York area — four women and two men. With the blessings of AA’s co-founder Bill W., they published the first issue in June 1944, just nine years after the founding of AA. A copy of that first issue was sent to every AA group — about 300 at the time — and to all known AA members in the armed services overseas. An entire page with the heading, “Mail Call for All AAs in the Armed Forces,” was devoted to letters from these members, who began calling the Grapevine their “meeting in print.” The title stuck, and today the AAGrapevine and La Viña carry it on their covers.
We are excited to have Nadja F., the Grapevine/La Vina Committee Chair from Area 65 setting up a booth with a wonderful array of information and history of the AAGrapevine and La Vina. Please visit her and sign up!
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District 71 Literature Chair
District 71 is part of Northeast Texas Area 65 (NETA65), serving AA groups in our local West Texas region. We work together to carry the message of recovery and to connect our groups with the larger AA service structure. District 71 supports a wide range of service opportunities and encourages group participation in General Service.
We meet on the first Saturday of every month at 2:00 PM at the Open Door, and all AA members are welcome. District 71 works alongside the Fort Worth Central Office, which provides meeting info, literature, and local AA support. Learn more or get connected at District 71. Together, we help ensure AA is here for the next person who needs it.
2025 Area Delegate Conference Report
NETA65 is one of the service areas of Alcoholics Anonymous in Texas, covering the northeastern region of the state, including District 71. It exists to support local AA districts and groups in carrying the message of recovery to the alcoholic who still suffers.
NETA65 hosts regular Area Assemblies, workshops, and service opportunities that connect members across the region. The Area provides essential communication between local groups and AA’s General Service Conference. Through active committees and trusted servant roles, members collaborate to ensure AA’s message stays strong and accessible. Whether you’re a newcomer or a long-time member, NETA65 welcomes your involvement.
Service in this Area helps strengthen personal recovery while fostering unity among members. For more information or to get involved, NETA65.org, and explore additional resources through the Fort Worth Central Office.
