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Mission Statement: To accumulate and disseminate information about the automotive industry through news related print and broadcast media. TAWA™ promotes quality and accuracy in journalism and professionalism among its members. TAWA™ works to access companies and individuals on behalf of its members and promotes public reader, viewer and listener awareness of the automobile industry. TAWA™ History: The Texas Auto Writers Association, Inc.™ was founded by automotive journalists in 1985 who wanted to provide an avenue of professional growth, development, and networking for automotive journalists. These professionals sought to create an automotive event that was unique to Texas. Therefore, they founded the "Texas Truck Rodeo.™" The Rodeo was created by Tim Spell and named by Tom Wolfgang. Since 1992, Truck Rodeos have been held in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Granbury. In 2003, the TAWA™ membership approved the creation of a road rally event for sedans, sports cars, and other vehicles not eligible for the Truck Rodeo. It was named The TAWA Spring Challenge and was held in the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin. Valerie Menard served as the chairman of the first Challenge. TAWA™ Events: TAWA™ sponsors two primary events each year, the TEXAS TRUCK RODEO™ and the TAWA SPRING CHALLENGE. The Truck Rodeo is held the third weekend of October and members take two and four wheel drive trucks and SUV's both off-road and on-road in a grueling three day event. Winners are named in various categories. Overall winners receive the well-known and prestigious honor of being named TRUCK OF TEXAS and SUV OF TEXAS. A large silver cup "traveling trophy" is awarded to the manufacturers. The TAWA Spring Challenge is held the last Monday in April. Members take sports cars, sedans, crossovers, roadsters, coupes, and vans on various road courses for evaluation and judging. General Membership meetings are held four times per year, in conjunction with various auto shows and events. These are: Houston Auto Show, Dallas Auto Show, State Fair of Texas Media Day, and the Truck Rodeo. In addition, members meet for various other events during the year, sometimes including their family members, so as to help promote professional awareness, disseminate information about the automotive industry, and provide networking opportunities. Each calendar year is highlighted with a Fall Awards Banquet. New officers and board members are installed and contributing members are recognized. Special awards are announced and distributed. The highlight of the Fall Awards Banquet is the announcement of the new TRUCK OF TEXAS and SUV OF TEXAS. |
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