The Fall 2017 TACL National Convention (#TACLRoundUp) kicked off with a TAPpy Hour on Friday along Rainey Street. Saturday was filled with icebreakers, storytelling from keynote speaker Miss Louisiana 2016 Justine Ker, and a very special Ghost Town BBQ complete with live music, square dancing, and cowboy boots. Sunday offered programs time to share best practices and learn about the power of personal stories from journalist (and father of Hudson Yang) Jeff Yang. Throughout the weekend, TACL explored Austin together as a family – from hopping through the notorious 6th Street bars to watching the bats along the Congress Avenue bridge to diving into the cold waters of Barton Springs.

Along with fun and inspiring programming, this Convention also marked two milestones: 1) this was the largest TACL convention by number of participants in recent history and 2) the TACL National Convention has now been hosted in all 9 TAP chapters of the TACL network. Fittingly, TAP-Austin was awarded Program of the Year for 2017. TACL recognized TAP-ATX for their unique programming, such as Boba Labs and SXSW Taiwanese artist showcase.  Furthermore, as our wonderful Convention hosts, TAP-ATX once again demonstrated their passion for building a creative and tight-knit Taiwanese American community.  Thank you, TAP-ATX!

Pictures to recap our awesome weekend in Austin, TX

“Write what is most personal and specific to your experience of your life and your voice will emerge. And because of its specificity, it will be universal” –Jeff Yang

“Don’t take your community for granted” –Justine Ker

“Thanks Taiwanese American Professionals – Austin Chapter for making my first convention experience amazing!! I’m happy to be a part of this community now and am excited for what the future holds. I’ll miss y’all” — Deborah Fang, TAP-ATL

“I was honored to have met all of these AMAZING leaders around the US and learn from them. And I have to tell you we got some crazy folks out there making [stuff] happen. Joining Taiwanese American Professionals – San Francisco Chapter (TAP-SF) is one of the best decisions I’ve made.” –Alex Hu, TAP-SF

“It was my first TACL convention, so I didn’t know what to expect and went with an open mind. The experience was very overwhelming and rewarding. Most importantly, it gave me new meaning of what it is to be a Taiwanese American” –Cindy Lee, TAP-DC

“This weekend was much more than just a gathering of Taiwanese American leaders from the nation, it was Taiwanese American Texans claiming our place and declaring it like the Texans we are. That clear eyes, full hearts truly can’t lose.” — Hanna Huang, TAP-ATX