2020 Venue and Events
The 2020 Annual Meeting will be held at the Riverside Convention Center, March 12-15, 2020. We have negotiated room blocks at the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa ($169) and the Riverside Marriott ($149), both just a few minutes’ walk from the Convention Center, nestled into the heart of the Historic Downtown District, with its artisan restaurants, craft breweries, and unique boutique shopping.
The Mission Inn is a truly special location. Built in 1876, the hotel is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This charming hotel boasts “one-of-a-kind architecture including awe-inspiring archways and flying buttresses, secluded garden oases, and soaring domes and towers,” with “opulent rooms that transport guests to California’s foregone eras” (https://www.missioninn.com/about-en.html#historyLink). Two walking tours of the hotel will be offered on Sunday, March 15, for those wishing to explore areas of the Inn that are not available to the general public. There are several restaurants and bars on-site, including the Las Campanas Tequila Bar and Restaurant, The Sushi Bar, Duane’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, the Mission Inn Restaurant, Bella Trattoria, and the famous Presidential Lounge. The recently remodeled Marriott is a quick walk from the convention center and also offers an on-site restaurant and bar. Heroes Restaurant and Brewery, The Salted Pig, and Prohibition Whiskey Lounge and Kitchen and others are a few blocks out.
The convention center itself has been named one of the top three best centers in California two years in a row. The center offers wide and beautiful upper and lower concourses that are easy to navigate and have plenty of space for meetings and events and offers amenities such as a mothers’ room with lockable storage, privacy, and refrigeration. And yes, the Women in California Archaeology Committee is once again bringing childcare to the meeting! The convention center also has a green initiative, meaning our event will be a bit kinder to the environment. This consists of recycling, individual room temperature control, and water refill stations.
PLENARY SESSION
The SCA’s Friday morning plenary session will highlight speakers that reflect this year’s conference theme, Archaeology into the Future. Topics will include the use of new technology to document and share our past, the integration of descendant communities in the planning, research, and reporting of archaeological projects, and the use of archaeology to reenergize and reimagine our communities.
RECEPTION/SILENT AUCTION FUNDRAISER AND BEER AND WINE TASTING
The 2020 Reception/Silent Auction and beer and wine tasting event will be held at the Riverside Convention Center. Staying at the meeting venue means no bus ride and more time to spend with our friends and colleagues. Dinner will feature a delightful taco bar, a raw and grilled veggie spread with dips, empanadas, and artisan salad. As you taste and sip your way through the offerings, there will be many items up for auction as usual. From books to citrus, to antiques and crafts, the silent auction always has something for everyone. Years past have featured a surfboard, rare maps, and handmade jewelry. As usual, the fabulous CRM firms that are a part of our community will host a variety of tasty beverages for your perusal. The Silent Auction is always a popular event and offers wonderful opportunities to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. We encourage you to buy your ticket early; this event often sells out!
ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Veterans Curation Program
Dr. Joe Joseph and Kate Leese will present on the Veterans Curation Program (VCP). The Veterans Curation Program was created to provide veterans a bridging experience from military service into the public sector, and to process at-risk archaeological collections belonging to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The VCP has six locations through the U.S., including a San Mateo facility that opened in November 2018.
Overseas contingency operations have increased the number of veterans and wounded warriors who may need additional training in order to compete in the mainstream job market. Through its investment in service members, the VCP builds on skills that veterans acquire during military service, including leadership, teamwork, and attention to detail, and assists these valuable members of society with finding permanent employment and enrolling in institutions of higher education.
Banquet Dinner Options
- Espresso-Crusted Tri-Tip Sliced Espresso-Rubbed Tri-Tip, Creamy Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Drizzled with Ancho Chile Demi-Glace
- Stuffed Chicken Breast Stuffed Chicken Breast with Spinach & Cheese, Drizzled with Smoked Tomato Cream Sauce, resting on Mushroom Risotto & Sautéed Vegetables
- Stuffed Portabello Portabello Mushroom Stuffed with Rainbow Quinoa and Mixed Vegetables (Vegan+Gluten Free)