May 17, 2010

AUSTIN, Texas — Preserving the legend of American Buffalo, the Texas Bison Association (TBA) recently hosted a sold-out attendance at the First Annual Texas Buffalo Banquet in Fort Worth, Texas. The all-new event welcomed bison professionals, producers and enthusiasts to the state's largest-ever banquet to honor bison and raised thousands of dollars toward the preservation and promotion of Texas bison.

Held at the La Quinta Lake Worth in Fort Worth, the TBA’s First Annual Buffalo Banquet featured bison steak dinner, raffles and fund-raising auctions that delivered the single-largest revenue and membership increase in the association’s history.

Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples was the keynote speaker and

“I was very impressed with the accomplishments of John Meng of Meng & Associates, who acts on behalf of the TBA and who completely organized the banquet,” says Tim Frasier, president of the Texas Bison Association. “The evening was constructed to avail everyone in attendance of networking opportunities, awareness of the complex Texas bison industry, and most importantly the opportunity to celebrate this amazing animal and Texas Bison Week.

“As I expressed my appreciation to the many corporate families, dignitaries and buffalo enthusiasts in attendance, representing literally all aspects of the Texas bison industry, it struck me that the most important beneficiary, the bison cow, is becoming daily a little more safe and sound,” adds Frasier. “Safe because she’s economically sound, and supported by events like this, raising awareness and that is what Texas Bison Week is all about.”

Prior to the banquet, the TBA held its Spring Membership Meeting in conjunction with Buffalo Boogie 5K Fun Run sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge in Fort Worth. The meeting featured an informative seminar by Jim Matheson, assistant director of the National Bison Association, who spoke on direct-to-market opportunities for bison producers.

Corporate sponsors for the event included Buffalo Gold, Frasier Bison, Frontier Meats, Great Range Bison, ID One Source, Meng & Associates, Texas Buffalo Exchange and Titan West.

The Texas Bison Association is a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 by bison owners and individuals concerned with the preservation and promotion of the North American Plains Bison. Today, the TBA provides assistance in raising and producing bison and promotes the nutritional health aspects of the North American Bison to consumers. The TBA hosts two major events during the year — the Texas Bison Exposition, which features exhibitors from the bison industry, informative seminars on raising bison, the World Championship Buffalo Burger Challenge, and more; and its Spring Banquet & Fund-Raising Auction, an event which brings together bison industry professionals and enthusiasts during “Texas Bison Week.’

For membership or sponsorship information, call 512.331.8618 or visit www.TexasBison.org.