Join the County and District Clerks' Association of Texas at its 2023 Winter Conference, scheduled for Jan. 23-26 at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in Round Rock.
County clerks, district clerks and combination clerks can earn continuing education credits to help fulfill their annual CE requirements. An integral part of this meeting will be the opportunity to network with your fellow clerks and exchange ideas that are helpful to you and your county. Conference sessions and speakers will offer comprehensive information on popular topics, upcoming changes that affect you directly and areas of high interest in the clerk profession.
This year's conference theme is an extension of the CDCAT Fall Conference: Unlocking Your Potential — Within the Association, Your County and Yourself. The focus will be unlocking your potential within your county, and sessions will provide skills to help attendees thrive in their counties. Keynote speaker Giani Cano will share techniques to improve our decision-making. Other sessions will emphasize the key to collaborating with other elected and appointed officials within the county.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from exceptional speakers and enjoy the largest indoor waterpark in the nation!
Registration Fees
Full conference registration includes all education sessions, meals and breaks.
| REGISTRATION FEES |
| DESCRIPTION |
Early Registration
by Jan. 3 |
Registration
After Jan. 3 |
| Clerk/Deputy Registration |
$200 |
$225 |
| Retired Clerk Package |
$100 |
|
| Corporate Attendee |
$500 |
|
| On-Site Registration |
$225 |
|
| One-Day Registration |
$100 |
|
Payment Information
Please make checks payable to the Texas Association of Counties.
Mail checks to:
CDCAT Annual Winter Conference
c/o Texas Association of Counties
P.O. Box 2711
San Antonio, TX 78299
Association Officers
Hon. Patti L. Henry, President
District Clerk – Chambers County
Hon. Julie Smith, Vice President
County Clerk – Potter County
Hon. John F. Warren, Treasurer
District Clerk – Travis County
Hon. Sandra Roblez, Secretary
District Clerk – Yoakum County
Hon. Stacey Kemp, Immediate Past President
County Clerk – Collin County
The host hotel is the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. You must register for the conference to obtain hotel reservation information.
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions
3001 Kalahari Dr.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Room Rate: Single/double/triple/quad $149 per night plus tax
EXTENDED ROOM RATE: $189 per night plus tax (waived resort fee). Click link to make reservations: https://book.passkey.com/e/50373022
Payments made by check must be received by the hotel 2 weeks prior to arrival.
Deposit Required
One night deposit required (plus tax) at the time the reservation is made.
Parking at Host Hotel
Self-parking is complimentary.
HOTEL CANCELLATION POLICY
Reservations canceled 72 hours or more prior to the date of arrival receive a refund of the deposit, minus a $25 cancellation fee. Reservations canceled within 72 hours of the date of arrival forfeit the entire deposit of the first night's room and tax.
Questions About Reservations
For any questions regarding individual reservations, please call Kalahari Reservations Department at (877) 525-2427.
Overflow Hotels
La Quinta Round Rock East (1.2 miles from host hotel; 3-minute drive)
3900 E. Palm Valley Blvd.
Round Rock, TX 78665
Reservations: (737) 300-6008
Complimentary self-parking at host hotel.
La Quinta Round Rock East
Room Rate: $109 + tax per night.
You can call the hotel directly at 737-346-6652 to secure a reservation.
Mention you are with the County and District Clerks' Association.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Round Rock (8 miles from host hotel) Room block not acquired, rates and availability may change.
270 Bass Pro Drive
Round Rock, Texas, 78665, USA
+1 512-308-3883
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ausnkes-embassy-suites-round-rock/
The Ruby Hotel & Bar (3.4 miles from host hotel) Room block not acquired, rates and availability may change.
400 Fannin Ave
Round Rock, TX 78664
Phone: (512) 600-7997
https://therubyhotel.com/
Special Accommodations
If you need special accommodations, please contact Luz Hinojosa at (800) 456-5974.
Please note: As in years past, CDCAT anticipates that the room block will fill quickly. In the event the block becomes full, a waitlist will be kept on a first-come, first-served basis. To be placed on the waitlist, contact Sam Burke at samb@county.org or (800) 456-5974. You will be contacted when a room becomes available.
Host Hotel Room Cancellations
If you need to cancel a room reservation, please do not cancel directly with the hotel. Contact Sam Burke at (800) 456‑5974 to cancel your host hotel reservation. This will help move fellow attendees off the waitlist and save you the $25 cancellation fee. We kindly request that you not post your reservation on the CDCAT group email list (Mobilize), because that would hinder waitlist management.
| Sunday, Jan. 22 |
| 6-8 p.m. |
New Clerk Social |
| Monday, Jan. 23 |
| 7 p.m. |
Kofile's Conference Kick-Off at Kalahari
Calling all clerks and conference attendees to help us kick off the evening events with a night that includes a buffet meal and a live band, plus a "magical" surprise! |
| Wednesday, Jan. 25 |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner
Sponsored by US Imaging
Join us for a night of mystery, mayhem and murder! You are officially invited to attend the Billionaire’s Club Annual Masquerade Ball and get this soiree back on track by solving a crime before the masked menace gets away. We encourage you to dress to impress (Not sure what to wear? Here are some suggestions). We will provide attendees with a mask—wear it well, so your true identity no one can tell!
You will not want to miss this interactive experience! Expect dinner, drinks and detective work. And remember—trust no one. |
| Monday, Jan. 23 |
| 10 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Registration and Information Desk Open |
| 9 a.m.-2 p.m. |
New Clerk Orientation
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
New clerks will hear from subject matter experts in human resources, media and statute interpretation.
|
| 9-10 a.m. |
Dealing With Employees and Avoiding a Lawsuit
Ms. Cheraun Blankenship, Human Resources Consultant, Texas Association of Counties |
| 10-11 a.m. |
Registry of the Court
Hon. Clarissa Webster, Ector County District Clerk |
| 11-11:15 a.m. |
Break |
| 11:15 a.m.-noon |
Media and Public Relations
Mr. Cary Roberts, Principal, Vigil LLC |
| Noon-1 p.m. |
Judicial Records
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk |
| 1-2 p.m. |
Working Lunch: How to Interpret Statutes
Hon. John Warren, Dallas County Clerk |
| 2-5 p.m. |
Clerk User Group Meeting – Clerk Networking by Case Management System (CMS)
Attendees will divide into groups based on their individual CMS interests. Join your fellow clerks for an interactive discussion of topics specific to each CMS vendor who will provide sales and support staff that will answer your questions. The session topics are listed below:
Tyler Technologies/Odyssey, Kalahari Salons AB
Moderator: Hon. Clarissa Webster, Ector County District Clerk
Local Government Solutions (LGS), Kalahari Salon C
Moderator: Hon. Brenda McKanna, Moore County Clerk
i3 NETData, Kalahari Salon D
Moderator: Hon. Loretta Cammack, Nacogdoches County District Clerk
iDocket, Zambezi
Moderator: Hon. Mary Ann Gonzalez, Schleicher County Combo Clerk
Edoc Technologies, Nile
Moderator: Hon. Edith Wagner Harrison, Lampasas County District Clerk
|
| 5-7 p.m. |
Committee Meetings
(optional or to be held virtual)
- Education Committee Meeting
- Legislative Committee Meeting
- Bylaws Committee Meeting
- Banking and Finance Committee Meeting
- Community Outreach Meeting
|
| 7 p.m. |
Kofile's Conference Kick-Off at Kalahari
Calling all clerks and conference attendees to help us kick off the evening events with a night that includes a buffet meal and a live band, plus a "magical" surprise! |
| Tuesday, Jan. 24 |
| 8-8:30 a.m. |
Exhibit Hall Open |
| 8 a.m.-5 p.m. |
Registration and Information Desk Open |
| 8 a.m.-5 p.m. |
CDCAT Store |
| 8:30-9 a.m. |
Welcome and Opening General Session
Welcome to Round Rock—Hon. Craig Morgan, Mayor, City of Round Rock
Invocation—Hon. Donna King, 26th District Court Judge, Williamson County
Presentation of Colors—Williamson County Juvenile Services Color Guard
National Anthem—D.J. Robinson, Gateway Prep Choir
Pledge of Allegiance/Texas Pledge— Hon. Donna King, 26th District Court Judge, Williamson County
Sponsor Videos—Diamond Sponsor, Platinum Sponsor (Videos)
|
| 9-10 a.m. |
Public Information Act 101
Ms. Tamara Smith, Assistant Attorney General, The Office of Attorney General
This session provides an overview of the Public Information Act and its exceptions. Attending this session will fulfill the requirement for public officials or their designees to complete training on the Public Information Act under section 552.012 of the Government Code.
|
| 10-10:30 a.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
| 10:30-11:30 a.m. |
How to Go Paperless
Hon. John Warren, Dallas County Clerk
Want to learn how to transform your office into a digital environment and create a disaster recovery plan for records? Don't miss this informative session.
|
| 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. |
Ransom Attacks: Unlocking Digital Lockdowns
Hon. Sharena Gilliland, Parker County Clerk |
| 12:30-2 p.m. |
Lunch on Your Own |
| 12:30-2 p.m. |
Mentorship Lunch |
| 2-3:30 p.m. |
Keynote: Improving Decision-MakingThrough Perception
Mr. Giani Cano, Motivational Speaker
Emotional decision-making is dangerous. Our perception of reality is an illusion. We cannot see things as they really are. Yet, we still have to make decisions through this. Attendees will be able to make better decisions realizing that perception plays a big part in everything we experience.
|
| 3:30-4 p.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
| 4-5 p.m. |
Shaping Up Our Communication With Others
Ms. Charlene Strickland Bevill, Retired Associate Professor of Communication and Head of Dept. of Communication, Hardin-Simmons University
This session offers a unique approach for improving our communication. We can "shape up" our communicative interactions if we take the time to identify our "shape" and that of our partner. Better communication happens with better understanding.
|
| Wednesday, Jan. 25 |
| Breakout 1: County Clerks |
Breakout 2: District Clerks |
| 9-10 a.m. |
e-Recording
Hon. Joyce G. Hudman, Brazoria County Clerk
Session will review key concepts of recording and indexing for county clerks.
|
9-10:30 a.m. |
All Things Family
Hon. Sara Kate Billingsley, 446th District Judge
This session features family law cases from start to finish, including original petitions, temporary orders, modifications, SAPCRs, emergency relief, protective orders and self-represented litigants.
|
| 10-10:30 a.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
10:30-11 a.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
| 10:30 a.m.-noon |
Recording Vendors
Rooms: Nile/Zambezi
Take this time to visit with recording vendors and network with their company representative to learn about their products and services.
|
11 a.m.-noon |
The KEY to Assisting Self-Represented Litigants (Pro Se)
Ms. Laurel Holland, Supervising Family Law Reference Attorney, Travis County Law Library & Self-Help Center
Ms. Corinne Perez - Family Law Reference Attorney, Travis County Law Library
Ms. Danikae Doetsch - Division Director, Travis County District Clerk's Office
Learn how the Travis County District Clerk's Office and Law Library work together to provide information and assistance to self-represented litigants. Then share best practices and ideas from your county!
|
| Noon-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch on Your Own |
Noon-1:30 p.m. |
Lunch on Your Own |
| Noon-1:30 p.m. |
Elections Lunch |
Noon-1:30 p.m. |
Elections Lunch |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. |
Commissioners Court
Hon. Heidi Easley, Victoria County Clerk
We are going back to basics! From "green" to "seasoned" clerks, we'll look at the basics of commissioners court and the clerk's duties, all while providing useful examples and information for everyone.
|
1:30-2:15 p.m. |
Attorney General Child Support Division Updates
Mr. Miguel Tellez, Outreach Coordinator-Contracts Operations, CSD, The Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Come hear the latest news from the Office of the Attorney General's Child Support Division and how it affects court clerks. New legislation and updated processes are on the agenda, as well as the basics of what a court clerk's role and responsibilities are surrounding child support.
|
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. |
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
Hon. Laura Richard, Fort Bend County Clerk
Ms. Nicholette Ross, Chief Deputy, Fort Bend County
With the changes implemented Sept. 1, 2021, at the TABC, the process of applying for and certifying alcohol permits has raised questions about how to do this properly. In this session, the Fort Bend County Clerk's Office will present their process for certifying applications and share their lessons learned.
|
2:15-3 p.m. |
Child Protective Services (CPS)
Mr. Mark Zuniga, Managing Attorney, Travis County Office of Parental Representation
Ms. Leslie Hill, Chief Counsel, Travis County Office of Child Representation
Presenters will discuss current trends in child welfare law.
|
| 3:30-4 p.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
3-3:30 p.m. |
Refreshment Break With Vendors |
| 4-5 p.m. |
County Clerks Roundtable |
3:30-4:30 p.m. |
District Clerks Roundtable |
| |
|
4:30-5 p.m. |
Unusual Encounters in the Courthouse: Twilight Zone |
| 6:30-10 p.m. |
Masquerade Murder Mystery Dinner
Sponsored by US Imaging
Join us for a night of mystery, mayhem and murder! You are officially invited to attend the Billionaire's Club Annual Masquerade Ball and get this soiree back on track by solving a crime before the masked menace gets away. We encourage you to dress to impress (Not sure what to wear? Here are some suggestions). We will provide attendees with a mask—wear it well, so your true identity no one can tell!
You will not want to miss this interactive experience! Expect dinner, drinks and detective work. And remember—trust no one. |
| Thursday, Jan. 26 |
| 8:30-9 a.m. |
Information Desk Open |
| 8:30-9 a.m. |
Coffee |
| 9-10 a.m. |
County Judges: Communication is KEY
Hon. Trey Duhon, Waller County Judge
Hon. Bill Gravell Jr., Williamson County Judge |
| 10-11 a.m. |
Unclaimed Property and Escheating
Hon. Patti L. Henry, Chambers County District Clerk
This session reviews the process for escheating funds to the state and escheating funds to other entities.
|
| 11-noon |
The KEY to Preparing Your Budget
Mr. Nathan Cradduck, County Auditor, Tom Green County
Properly preparing your budget request can be the key to gaining approval of the resources you need to run your office. Participants will learn the most effective ways to prepare a request, the types of information to include and what not to include, and how to present the request in a public hearing. A brief overview of the budget process will be included so participants can also gain a better understanding of county budget challenges and how to bring value to the process.
|
*Agenda subject to change
Application will be made for continuing education credit for county, district and combination clerks. Please check back here for approval updates.
| Continuing Education Type |
Hours |
| County, District and Combination Clerks |
25.25 |
Conference registration is transferable to another person within your organization without additional charge. Cancellation refund requests received in writing (email and fax acceptable) by Tuesday, Jan. 3, will be granted, minus a $10 administration fee. We are unable to honor refund requests received after Jan. 3.
Please contact Sam Burke for cancellations at samb@county.org or by fax at (512) 477-1324.
Please contact Sarah Lazarowitz, events director with County Progress, for questions about exhibitor or sponsorship opportunities, at (325) 673-4822, ext. 2121.
You can also visit the County Progress CDCAT conference page for exhibitor registration details.
