Share your experience attending an Al‑Anon International Convention
July’s topic is, “Share your experience attending an Al‑Anon International Convention.”
As always, you can also write about Al‑Anon’s three Legacies. This month features Step Seven, Tradition Seven, and Concept Seven.
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
New topics are being added each month!
My wife and I attended the 2023 International Convention with two other long-time friends of ours. We shared a room together at a local hotel, just as we’ve done many times at our area conventions. Thursday night about 10 PM, I realized I had not brought any insulin with me. Being a Type I diabetic, I immediately said to the other three, I’m in trouble, and I need help. Now I had been to the service workshops that day where I had heard several times about asking for help when starting a new service position. And at that point, I… Read more »
Our adventure to attend the International Convention started with a text from United, two hours before our first flight, alerting us that the flight had been cancelled. My heart starts to race as I read this simple text. I’m initially confused as I have never had an airline give me the courtesy of knowing my flight is cancelled before I’ve left for the airport. I walk into my husband’s office to see if he was aware of what was unfolding and I find him on the Delta website purchasing us entirely different tickets, avoiding Denver, leaving just two hours later… Read more »
After I registered for the International; I signed up to volunteer later in the convention. I worried I might not know how to direct people at first in a really big Convention Center. After I signed in, the first person I saw directing traffic at the top of the escalator was a volunteer in the beautiful aqua volunteer shirt. I asked for a hug that she gave willingly and sent me on my way. When I signed in at the Volunteer table later, I got one of those shirts. I wore it the day I was assigned and the magic… Read more »
There are so many things I experienced at the recent Convention, it’s hard to know how to respond. What stands out to me right now is the opportunity to see others working a strong program. In a couple of the workshops I attended, one or more of the scheduled speakers didn’t show up. My initial reaction was to think with dismay those speakers were irresponsible. But other members simply stepped up to be of service and the workshops went on without any major problems. In fact, the workshops were great! At some point I heard there had been severe weather… Read more »
I felt the love in the air at the 2023 International Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico! It was my first International Convention. I didn’t have to drive very far for this one so I thought I’d give it a try. I was not disappointed. My Al-Anon family was enlarged as I met people from around the world. I enjoyed the speakers, the sessions I attended, the Love Parade, and so much more! The overall vibe was one of love and acceptance. One of my new phrases I now use is: This is my place; these are my people. What a… Read more »
2023 International Convention virtually attended I think there were 741 of us who attended the Convention. I’m pleased to have been part of that. I’m grateful to hear all the sharing and to have a strong sense of being part of, belonging to, the worldwide fellowship of Al-Anon Family Groups. This has expanded my sense of my recovery, my hope. I found it humbling to see that the event suffered the usual difficulties that events in my own country (New Zealand) do: technical, speakers not making it for one reason or another etc. Thank you for the idea to include… Read more »
I just got back from the Al-Anon International Convention that took place in Albuquerque, New-Mexico, from June 29th to July 2nd, 2023. I am still filled with emotions of gratitude to have lived this great experience. This experience that fulfilled me mentally, emotionally, and spiritually and that has kept my spirits perky since. I attended my first International Convention AA, with Al-Anon being invited, in Montreal, in 1985. I just had a few years in the program then, so I couldn’t take the amplitude of this event. I remember being in awe by so many people being there. The respect,… Read more »
1998 Salt Lake City, Utah late June/early July My hubby and I arrive at the airport, greeted by a huge banner welcoming Al-Anon to their fair city! We smiled… We felt welcome, we were no longer alone even though far from home. At this point I had been attending and inhaling Al-Anon for 5 years, praying I would say just the right thing, in just the right way to motivate, manipulate or maneuver our then 23 year old son into wanting his sobriety even half as much as I wanted his sobriety. I know, right! lol… We had infrequent contact with him, often waiting, worrying… Read more »
I registered to attend virtually. The app was easy to install, and I was able to message and chat with other attendees. While there were some technical issues on Friday and audio was difficult to hear, I got chill bumps seeing all the folks from all over the world in the parade! Saturday and Sunday audio was much better, and we had closed captioning which also helped. I watched ever virtual session available. Every speaker was phenomenal and those attendees that shared were also! It was a wonderful weekend from the comfort of my home.