With the 2018 National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges fast approaching, Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones is pleased to once again host the official NCBJ “After Party.” PSZJ, the nation’s leading corporate restructuring boutique, has hosted the event since 1999, and is well known in the bankruptcy and restructuring community for its fun and memorable themed parties.

This year’s National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges Conference will take place from October 28 – 31 in the beautiful city of San Antonio, and what better way to celebrate than a PSZJ festival? See below for pictures from our previous events.

There has been interest expressed in creating an annual “Consumer Bankruptcy Meeting” during the annual NCBJ conference. To that end, we have planned a “meet and greet” on Monday October 29 right after the NCBJ, UST, NABT, NACTT Joint Committee Meeting in the same conference room (13‐14). The meeting would start at 3:45 pm and its purpose would be see about the formation of an annual open meeting on consumer related bankruptcy issues at future NCBJ Conferences. The idea of the annual meeting is to have representatives from the various consumer related groups, such as the Trustee groups, NACBA and the National Creditors Bar Association and anyone else that is interested, present to discuss focused topics affecting the consumer bankruptcy practice on a national level.

The meeting on the 29^th should not be a long. It is simply an opportunity to discuss whether such a future annual meeting is possible and if so, to gather thoughts on how should it be conducted.

San Antonio’s population has grown from under 3,500 in 1850 to the seventh most populous city in the United States today.  Only New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia and Phoenix have larger populations within city limits.

In 1860, with a population of 8,235, San Antonio was the largest town in Texas (ahead of Galveston).  Until 1877, German was the predominate language.

In 1877, San Antonio experienced new economic growth sparked by its first railroad, the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railway. Its concomitant population growth was mostly Anglos born in Southern states.  In 1881 a second railroad served San Antonio, the International–Great Northern; and by 1900 there were five railroads passing through the City.  The railroads spurred both economic and population growth.  San Antonio was the largest city in Texas in 1900, with a population of 53,321; in 1910 with a population of 96,614, and again in 1920 with 161,379 inhabitants.

San Antonio was an important military center during the Spanish-American War, and in both World Wars.  San Antonio’s population grew in the 1940s from 253,854 to 408,442.  Fort Sam Houston and four Air Force bases (Kelly, Randolph, Brooks and Lackland) were the City’s leading economic generators for many years. In the 1950s the City grew by almost 44 percent to reach 587,718 in 1960. By 2000 San Antonio was the third largest city in Texas and the ninth largest city in the United States, with a population of 1,144,646. The 2000 census reported that San Antonio’s population was 58.7% Hispanic, 32.5% Anglo, and 6.8% African American. A decade later, 62.7% were Hispanic, 26.6% were Anglo, 6.8% were African American, and 2.4% were Asian.

This chart shows the population of San Antonio since 1850 and the City’s population ranking among all United States cities.

San Antonio Population (city limits)

Year                Population      Rank

1850                3,488

1860                8,235

1880                20,550             96

1890                37,673             81

1900                53,321             71

1910                96,614             54

1920                161,379           41

1930                231,542           38

1940                253,854           36

1950                408,442           25

1960                587,718           17

1970                654,153           15

1980                785.880           11

1990                935,933           10

2000                1,144,646        9

2010                1,327,538        7

2016                1,492,510        7

San Antonio’s population is concentrated within its city limits.  Its metropolitan area does not rank nearly as high.

U.S. Metropolitan areas (2016)

Rank    Metro Area                             Population

1          New York                               20,153,634

2          Los Angeles                            13,310,447

3          Chicago                                     9,512,999

4          Dallas-Fort Worth                    7,233,323

5          Houston                                    6,772,470

6          Philadelphia                              6,070,500

7          Miami-Ft. Lauderdale                          6,066,387

24        San Antonio                              2,429,609

Today, tourism is a major contributor to the San Antonio economy.  By one measure, one-eighth of the San Antonio workforce works in the tourism industry and tens of millions of people visit San Antonio each year.

The genesis of San Antonio HemisFair Park, located along the River Walk, was a World’s Fair held in San Antonio known as HemisFair ’68.

San Antonio was chosen as the site of the 1968 World’s Fair, to be called HemisFair ’68.  The fair, themed the “Confluence of Civilizations in the Americas,” paid tribute to the 250th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio in 1718.  Six million visitors from more than thirty nations attended the fair from April 6 through October 6, 1968.

The fair included a series of National and corporate pavilions connected by monorail, elevated walkways, and river taxis.  There were also towering fountains, restaurants, boutiques, parades, a Swiss sky ride, and an amusement park.  Among some thirty nations represented in the pavilions were Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, France, West, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Venezuela and the United States.

More than 130 structures were built on the 96.2 acre HemisFair ’68 site at a cost of $156 million.  The State of Texas Pavilion cost $10 million. The United States Pavilion cost $7.5 million.  The 750-foot Tower of the Americas was the fair’s theme structure, complete with a glass elevator rising up the side and a 360° observation deck at the top.  The River Walk was extended to reach the site.

In celebration of the 20^th Anniversary of HemisFair “68, San Antonio redeveloped approximately 15 acres of the site to create an urban park with waterfalls, fountains, playgrounds and lush landscaping. Sone of the original structures were renovated.  Part of the United States of America Pavilion building is now home to the John H. Wood, Jr. United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. Another part of the pavilion is now the Adrian Spears Judicial Training Center.  The site was re-christened “HemisFair Park” in April 1988,

In 2008 Hyatt Hotels completed construction of the Grand Hyatt San Antonio in what was part of the convention center theater originally built for HemisFair ’68.  In 2009 the San Antonio City Council created a non-profit organization, HemisFair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation, to oversee further redevelopment of the fair site.  In 2012 HPARC completed the renovation of three additional structures on the site.

Today, HemisFair Park is home to gardens, fountains, playgrounds, walking paths, historic homes, Tower of the Americas, the Mexican Cultural Center, the San Antonio Convention Center, a large hotel, a Federal courthouse, and more.

HemisFair ’68 Trivia (reprinted from a posting on the web)

This is a notice about the new NCBJ Public Outreach Award from the NCBJ Public Outreach Committee.

Bankruptcy Judges and courts routinely engage in important public outreach efforts. Those efforts include organization of and anticipation with financial literacy classes, pro bono assistance projects, Constitution Day events, immigration ceremonies, bankruptcy law education for state court judges and civics education programs. To increase judges’ awareness of those efforts and honor individual bankruptcy judges and courts for outstanding work, the NCBJ has established a new annual award.

The NCBJ Public Outreach Award will recognize public outreach achievements of individual NCBJ members and bankruptcy courts. The award recipient s will be selected by the Public Outreach Committee based on nominations received from NCBJ members. Qualifying public outreach activities and programs include those related to community service, civics or court system education, and bankruptcy or financial education. Among the considerations for this award are:

• The extent to which the nominee’s public outreach activities have had a significant impact in the community

• The extent to which the nominee’s public outreach activities involved, increased the profile of, or affected the bankruptcy courts

• The extent to which the nominee’s public outreach activities involved, increased the profile of, or affected the federal courts generally

• The extent to which the nominee’s public outreach activities demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism and community service

Nominations should describe the nominee’s public outreach activities and explain why the nominee deserves to receive the NCBJ Public Outreach Award, addressing the above factors specifically and including any other factors that demonstrate why the nominee deserves to receive the award. Nominations should also include any recognition the nominee has received from the community and/or the media and may include copies of relevantarticles or photos. Descriptions should be detailed enough to give the Public Outreach Committee an accurate picture of the nominee’s community outreach activities.

<blockquote>
Deadline for Entries and Presentation of Award.</blockquote> All submissions must be sent electronically to NCBJ.Public.Outreach@gmail.comon or before August 1, 2018. The award will be given at the Annual Meeting. Contact any member of the Public Outreach Committee with questions.

You know how to start a networking conversation – but – you might hang back because you are not sure how to exit when the time is right for you. Here’s a polite, professional way that doesn’t involve a lot of excuses or cringe-worthy pauses.

Ask for a business card. In the age of social media, it’s a step you might often skip. It’s a pleasant want to get the person’s contact information, and in the Americas it signals that the time together is ending. It’s easy to close with “nice to meet you” and move on.

If you really want to continue the conversation with this person in the near future, ask about scheduling a phone call, meeting, coffee or lunch in the future. If the other isn’t eager to do any of those, it is a polite signal that they are ready to move on also.

Among the works of the many local artists who’ve contributed to the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center’s art collection, meeting delegates will find a variety of cultural expressions that reflect the authentic culture of San Antonio.

“The art collection which brings the voice of San Antonio to the world stage, engages visitors visually and sparks conversations that bring people together,” says Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, interim director for the city of San Antonio Convention & Sports Facilities.

Among the pieces that will have people talking is a Carlos Merida mural created for the 1968 World’s Fair that will greet NCBJ visitors at the convention center’s new West Entry. From the River Level, look up high on the Center’s exterior wall. Another is one of the newest installations, Liquid Crystal, a 30-foot tower of LCD panels connected to motion sensors that allows it to reflect the activity in the new main lobby.

May 2^nd from 1- 5 EDT could have a big impact on your legal career. Those few hours are the only time that applications are accepted from early career lawyers who want a chance to be part of the NCBJ Next Generation Class of 2018. Look HERE  for information about Next Generation.  Everything you need to know to apply is on this website.  Next Gen delivers loads of unique opportunities and benefits.  Members of the Class are chosen by computer randomized selection.  Nominations are only accepted May 2, 2018 from 1- 5 pm EDT.  Don’t be early or late or submit more than once – as the software will disregard your paperwork. Good luck!

Jeanne Sleeper, NCBJ Executive Director

P.S. From Blog Editor:

NCBJ Next Generation is an amazing opportunity for bankruptcy practitioners with 5 to 10 years of experience.  As stated in more detail on the NCBJ NextGen website, the program includes:

• a judicial roundtable discussion with bankruptcy judges from across the nation
• a small-group lunch with an experienced bankruptcy practitioner
• a networking reception and dinner to build contacts and relationships with Next Generation alumni
• a social outing to discover San Antonio with NextGen’rs and judges
• opportunities to participate on an education panel with judges and other practitioners