| Austin: The Heart of Texas |
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With the 2009 conference running from Sunday to Wednesday, ALDE invites you to arrive early in Austin and spend a few days vacationing “Deep in the Heart of Texas.” Over the past two decades, this once small university town has blossomed into a metropolitan area of 1.4 million people. Austin is proud to be the Live Music Capital of the World and, on any given night, live music plays at nearly 200 venues throughout the city. Grammy Award winning musicians The Dixie Chicks, Shawn Colvin, Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan all call Austin home. In addition to being the political capital, Austin is also the moviemaking capital of Texas, boasting one of the most prolific film industry sites in the United States and the nickname the “Third Coast.” The Alamo, Spy Kids 3D, Sin City, The Rookie and Secondhand Lions were all filmed in and around Austin.
 
Photo credits: (left) ACVB Photo/Andy Schrade and (right) ACVB Photo/Dan Herron
Austin also stands as the gateway to the scenic Texas Hill Country – a vast region of rolling hills, sparkling lakes and fields of wildflowers where nature trails and parks offer a lush retreat. National Geographic Adventure has named Austin the #1 adventure town in America because of its ability to combine the great outdoors with its unique culture. To round it all out, you’ll find no shortage of appetizing cuisine – including Texas-style BBQ and the breakfast taco – as well as shopping opportunities from outlet malls to downtown pedestrian districts. Given all these entertainment options to complement your conference experience, ALDE hopes you find your time “Deep in the Heart of Texas” to be Austin-tatious.
 
Photo credits: (both) ACVB Photo
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