The “Call for Papers” is now open for the seventh bi-annual Race, Ethnicity and Place Conference. Information is available at the REP website. The REP VII will be held October 22-24, 2014 in Ft. Worth, Texas. The event is hosted by Texas Christian University’s ADDRAN College of Arts and Sciences  and the conference venue is The Sheraton Hotel, Downtown Ft. Worth.

More than 100 students, faculty, and other professionals representing a wide range of disciplines from numerous states and nations have already committed to REP VII. These scholars share an interest in racial and ethnic transformation of places worldwide and reflect a mix of applied and theoretical perspectives, often within a spatial framework.

Along with hundreds of paper, poster, and panel presentations, the conference will feature a welcoming reception at the beautiful Ashton Depot in Downtown Ft. Worth and a regional band, The SWAG. There will be speakers from the region at two lunches.

Thursday’s luncheon will begin with entertainment by the “Word of Truth Gospel Singers” and is followed by a talk by Mr. Bob Ray Sanders, an award winning journalist who will discuss “From a Dream Deferred to Dream Variations to I’ve Known Rivers.” His talk will address the future of Ft. Worth by contextualizing three phases of American racial history.

Friday’s luncheon begins by entertainment with Mr. Gonzalo Mata, a Mexican Harpist, followed by Mr. Reinaldo “Renny” Rosa, a community activist and organizer who will speak of “America in Transition: From Anglo Pale to Golden Brown.” Mr. Rosa will discuss the historical development of Ft. Worth’s Mexican neighborhoods and his personal experiences in community organizing related to inequalities.

The REP VII Conference closes on a traditional festive note with a gala dinner that provides entertainment by a Mariachi Band and Dancers. This promises to be a fun event without speakers. Attendees are encouraged to wear ethnic dress.

For geographers and those of similar interests, the conference site is almost as interesting and important as the scholarly content of any meeting, so the REP planning committee has organized a number of opportunities to explore local landscapes and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Cowboy culture, as well as historic and ethnic places. All conference participants and their accompanying family members are invited to partake in a self-directed tour of Ft. worth. TCU will provide maps, directions, and other information for these personalized excursions at the Conference hotel.

In addition to self-directed tours, three fieldtrip options are available on the days of the conference. In all cases, spaces are limited and additional fees are required (see the website for details but do not wait very long, registrations have begun!). An afternoon, pre-conference excursion to Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum (site of JFK assassination) by train from Ft. Worth will occur at Noon on Wednesday and return prior to the evening reception at the Ashton Depot.

A local field trip entitled “African-American History and Neighborhoods of Ft. Worth” follows Mr. Sanders Luncheon talk at the Thursday luncheon and includes a tour of the Evans Avenue Mall and the Como area, as well as a stop at the Tarrant County Black Historical Society.

On Friday, and following the luncheon talk by Mr. Rosas, a fieldtrip that tours Latino Ft. Worth is available on a first-come, first served basis. This tour examines historic neighborhoods, businesses and organizations. A stop is included at La Gran Plaza, a Mexican –themed Mall that opened in 2004 and resembles colonial Mexican city. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT SPACE IS LIMITED.

For additional information about the REP conferences, including REP VII registration information, highlighted sessions, field trips, and accommodations, visit: https://rep-conference.binghamton.edu (or just query REP Conference 2014).