April 15-17, 2024   |    Austin, TX

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Excursions

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Brunch Bus Tour / 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Registration is priced at $200 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum registration of 32 individuals. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Brunch Bus Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Brunch Bus Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.

Calling all brunch enthusiasts and party people, dive into Austin’s brunch scene with a rocking good time on the Brunch Bus! Before Conclave gets going, fuel your fun with an unforgettable three-hour brunch extravaganza aboard the one and only Brunch Bus. We’re talking live music, boozy sips, and delicious bites from Austin’s hottest brunch spots. Buckle up for a rocking good time you won’t want to miss!

Why the Brunch Bus is a Can’t-Miss:

  • Rockin’ Beats: Groove to the tunes of a local three-piece band as you head to three of Austin’s best brunch spots.
  • Brunch bites and an alcoholic drink are served at each stop.
  • Wild & Wacky Ride: The party bus seats up to 32 guests, so gather your crew before it sells out.
  • Insta-Worthy Moments: Capture epic memories with the Instagrammable bus and the vibrant Austin backdrop.
  • Grab your mimosa-loving crew and book your tickets for the Brunch Bus today! It’s the perfect way to kick off Conclave with a rocking good time, delicious eats, and nonstop laughs. Trust us, your future self will thank you for it.
  • Feel free to bring your own adult beverages. A cooler and ice chest will be provided to keep things frosty and, of course, get you home safe and sound. No hard alcohol, please.
  • Pick-up and drop-off at the Hilton Austin so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Disclaimers:

The Brunch Bus can accommodate vegetarian diets and most food allergies. Look for more details via email once registered. Recommended for ages 21+.

Cancelation Policy

  • All cancelations received prior to February 1, 2024, will be fully refundable.
  • All cancelations received on or after February 2, 2024, will be non-refundable.

If the event is canceled by AGS, all attendees will receive a full refund of excursion fees.

Excursion: Hands-on Gem Analysis at the University of Texas at Austin / 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Registration is priced at $50 and is available on a first come, first served basis. Maximum registration of 25 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Hands-on Gem Analysis” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Hands-on Gem Analysis” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.

Gemstone analysis and research have opened the doors for many scientific and technological advances and have revealed much about the history of our planet. This excursion will allow participants to gain a better understanding of the instruments used in this research and give them the chance to operate the instruments themselves! Tour the research labs in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and be welcomed ‘behind the curtain’ in this analytical lab that is home to instruments used for gemological analysis, including Raman, UV-VIS, SEM, FTIR, XRF, and mass spectrometry. The instruments will be turned on, tuned, and ready for you to spin the dials and click the buttons to perform real gemstone analyses. This excursion will also include a visit to the UT Austin Gem and Mineral Gallery filled with carefully curated gem and mineral specimens.

Transportation between Hilton Austin and the university is included. Please note lunch will not be provided on this excursion.

Weird Austin City Tour / 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Registration is priced at $80 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum registration of 13 individuals. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Weird Austin Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Weird Austin Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.

Get Weird with Us: Your Unforgettable Austin Adventure Awaits!

Forget boring sightseeing and kick off Conclave with this unforgettable experience that goes beyond the usual tourist stops. Buckle up for the Weird Austin Tour—a two-and-a-half-hour whirlwind of local lore, hidden secrets, and side-splitting laughs with this immersion into the heart and soul of Austin’s quirky charm.

Why the Weird Austin Tour is a Can’t-Miss:

  • Weirdness Overload: Prepare to have your mind blown by Austin’s most bizarre and fascinating stories, characters, and sights. Your guide will delve into the city’s eccentric past, present, and future, leaving you with a newfound appreciation for its unique brand of weirdness.
  • Singin’ Along the Way: A local musician will serenade you during the journey.
  • Hit the Hot Spots: From the iconic Sixth Street and the Capitol Building to the trendy vibes of South Congress, your guide will cover all the must-see Austin landmarks.
  • Lady Bird Lake Stroll: Get your legs moving with an optional short walk across Lady Bird Lake, offering stunning skyline views and the perfect opportunity to capture some Insta-worthy snaps.
  • Wacky Local Guide: Your guide is a walking encyclopedia of Austin weirdness, peppering your tour with insider tips!
  • Snack & BYOB: Your guide will fuel your exploration with a delicious snack along the way, and feel free to bring your own adult beverages. A cooler and ice chest will be provided to keep things frosty and, of course, get you home safe and sound. No hard alcohol, please.
  • Pick-up and drop-off at the Hilton Austin so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

Don’t forget your sense of humor and a healthy dose of open-mindedness. Austin’s weirdness is best appreciated with an open heart and a willingness to laugh at the absurd.

Disclaimers:

Look for more details via email once registered.

Cancelation Policy

  • All cancelations received prior to February 1, 2024, will be fully refundable.
  • All cancelations received on or after February 2, 2024, will be non-refundable.

If the event is canceled by AGS, all attendees will receive a full refund of excursion fees.

Excursion: Hands-on Gemstone Faceting at the University of Texas at Austin / 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Registration is priced at $50 and is available on a first come, first served basis. Maximum registration of 15 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Hands-on Gemstone Faceting” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Hands-on Gemstone Faceting” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.

Gemstones come to life as they are faceted, allowing light in to interact with the gem material. Gemstone cut is the one factor in releasing a gemstone’s beauty for which humans are responsible. This excursion will allow participants the opportunity to learn about faceting by doing it themselves!

This hands-on experience includes a visit to the Vargas Faceting Lab on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, where participants will sit down at an ULTRA TEC faceting machine and be given instruction and approximately 90 minutes to cut and polish a quartz preform that is provided. Finishing a stone can take about 8 hours, so a finished gemstone should not be expected; however, the hands-on experience will give all participants newfound insights into angles, meet points, and polish. This excursion will also include a visit to the UT Austin Gem and Mineral Gallery filled with carefully curated gem and mineral specimens.

Transportation between Hilton Austin and the university is included. Please note lunch will not be provided on this excursion.

TUESDAY, APRIL 16

CLARITY DIAMOND™ LAB-GROWN FACILITY TOUR — TEXAS SMOKED BBQ EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS! / 4:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Registration is available on a first come, first served basis toto Retail Firm members and invited guests only. Maximum registration of 150 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select Excursion: Clarity Diamond™ Lab-Grown Facility Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Clarity Diamond™ Lab-Grown Facility Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.

Just like Texas BBQ, we’d like to think that there’s a “secret sauce” to growing diamonds. This excursion will provide you with an opportunity to tour a state-of-the-art laboratory-grown diamond facility, while being educated on the CVD manufacturing process. From seed to polished diamond, our experts will take you on the journey of a lab-grown diamond.

After the tour, you’ll head over to the County Line on the Lake to enjoy mouthwatering BBQ, take in the views of Bull Creek, and listen to some fantastic Texas entertainment. It’s an evening filled with sparkle and sizzle, and we hope to see you at our smokin’ shindig! 

4:00pm tour schedule:

  • Depart Hilton Austin at 4:00pm; Arrive at Clarity Diamond™ at 5:00pm
  • Tour from 5:00pm-5:45pm
  • Depart Clarity Diamond at 5:45pm; Arrive at County Line at 6:00pm
  • Enjoy County Line from 6:00pm-7:30pm
  • Depart County Line at 7:30pm; Arrive at Hilton Austin at 8:30pm

4:30pm tour schedule:

  • Depart Hilton Austin at 4:30pm; Arrive at Clarity Diamond™ at 5:30pm
  • Clarity Diamond Tour from 5:30pm-6:15pm
  • Depart Clarity Diamond at 6:15pm; Arrive at County Line at 6:30pm
  • Enjoy County Line from 6:30pm-8:00pm
  • Depart County Line at 8:00pm; Arrive at Hilton Austin at 9:00pm

5:00pm tour schedule:

  • Depart Hilton Austin at 5:00pm; Arrive at Clarity Diamond™ at 6:00pm
  • Clarity Diamond Tour from 6:00pm-6:45pm
  • Depart Clarity Diamond at 6:45pm; Arrive at County Line at 7:00pm
  • Enjoy County Line from 7:00pm-8:30pm
  • Depart County Line at 8:30pm; Arrive at Hilton Austin at 9:30pm
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