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On behalf of the Southwest Association of Turners, I welcome you to our site!

Purpose: The Southwest Association of Turners (SWAT) is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to provide an outstanding educational opportunity to anyone interested in woodturning. 

Symposium: Each year, we hold one of the largest woodturning symposiums in the world. Our symposium features internationally and nationally recognized turners, as well as regional turners from the twenty-five chapters of the American Association of Woodturners comprising SWAT. The 2012 symposium is August 24-26 at the Waco Convention Center, 100 Washington Avenue, Waco, Texas. Please visit  the convention center web site at http://www.wacocvb.com/conv.asp.

• An Instant Gallery in which woodturners display their work
• A Saturday evening banquet that features a raffle of over 30 beautiful turned pieces
• A second raffle, using the same tickets, is held during Sunday lunch. This raffle includes 2 full size lathes, plus an assortment of woodturning tools and accessories
• Vendors who that sell equipment and supplies to those attending the symposium at very competitive and usually discounted prices
• Lunches that are provided during the three-day event
• Special Interest Groups
• Hands on and Pen turning and Tool Sharpening areas
• Hands on Turning area to try out new tools, obtain one on one coaching, or just make some shavings

Since this is an all-volunteer organization, we are able to keep the price of this event affordably low.

Visit the 2012 Demonstrator page to see the list of demonstrators this year, and the Symposium Info page for more information about this event. The Gallery page shows work that has been on display in previous years. The Registration link provides a registration form that can downloaded and send by US mailed, or a link for on-line registration. And, don’t miss the Vendor list.

The SWAT Symposium has something of interest for every woodturner, but please bring your spouse, too.  We have a full agenda of activities just for them.

We’ll see you in Waco next August!

I hope you take the time to explore our website and learn more about the Southwest Association of Turners and our 2012 symposium.  On behalf of the SWATurners Executive Committee, I look forward to seeing you at our event this year.

FAQS:

Do I have to be a member of a club to attend the symposium? No
Do I have to be a member of the AAW to attend the symposium? No
Do I have to be a woodturner to attend the symposium? No
We invite all to see what woodturning is all about or to improve your woodturning skills.