SUS History

Our History

Year after year we keep having a great weekend of sobriety, fellowship and fun under the sun in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

2023 will be our 20th annual convention. The Convention was the concept and dream of a few people who loved AA and Alanon and Puerto Vallarta.

Each year the conference has grown in attendance, thanks to the efforts of many.

The committee of AA and Al-Anon members who help put the event on has also grown each year providing a rich experience for each who participate in being of service in “carrying the message” of recovery and learning, through participation, to “practice our principles in all our affairs”.

Each year, after listening to attendees and reviewing what worked well, the committee meets to determine what else could be added the next year to make the weekend even more fulfilling for attendees and passes these suggestions on to the next group who rotate in to be of service.

Over the years the conference has improved through adding such things as more workshops, both AA and Al-Anon speakers, bringing in local talent for attendees enjoyment of our rich Mexican music and dance culture, constantly improving the optional Saturday night dinner, adding an ice cream social and the Sunday morning breakfast all helping to make this conference truly world class.

In addition to the three day conference we also have traditionally had two other “for fun” events: a Thursday night casual beach dinner preceding the weekend and a “Sober Cruise” on the Monday following. Both events are a great way to experience our cuisine on the beach, observe sea life in our beautiful bay and visit some surrounding villages while enjoying more fellowship and getting to know folks from around the world who all come to SUS and PV to enjoy some warm and sunny “Sobriety Under the Sun”.

Our SUS Recovery Conferences Over The Years

2024: 20th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Our Primary Purpose”
Date: January 13-15
2024 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Will B.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Scott L.
- Saturday Al-Anon: Larcine G.
- Saturday Night AA: Jason J.
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Lisa M.

2023: 20th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Acceptance Is The Answer”
Date: January 13-15
2023 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Dave S.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Terri K.
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Jack C.
- Saturday Night AA: Carla R.
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Gerry W.

2022: 19th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “We Are Not A Glum Lot”
Date: January 21-23
2022 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Margot M.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Russ K., Tampa FL
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Larcine G., Hawthorne CA
- Saturday Night AA: Candice M., Los Angeles CA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Mike W., Vancouver BC

2021: No convention held because Covid!!

2020: 18th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation Printable SUS 2020 Flyer

Theme: “We Are Responsible”
Date: January 14-16
2020 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Pat P.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Karran L., Housatonic, MA
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Magdalena E., Seattle, WA
- Saturday Night AA: Father Bob W., Winnipeg BC
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Andre M., Ossining, NY

2019: 17th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Carry the Message”
Date: January 18-20
2018 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Daniel R.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Michael M., Ladysmith, British Columbia
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Adena G., Walnut Creek, CA
- Saturday Night AA: Mathew M., Gig Harbor, WA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: James L., Tallahassee, FL

2018: 16th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Growing in Sobriety”
Date: January 19-21
2018 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Dave S.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Marty J., Richmond, British Columbia
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Vannoy S., Justin, TX
- Saturday Night AA: Mari G., Toronto, Ontario
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Brian P., Dallas, TX

2017: 15th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Happy, Joyous, and Free”
Date: January 20-21, 2017 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Marc N.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Linda M., Calgary, Alberta
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Stacey B., Seattle, WA
- Saturday Night AA: Lyle P., Atlanta, GA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: James T., Auburn, CA

2016: 14th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Solving Problems Using Spiritual Principles”
Date: January 22-24, 2016 location: Westin Resort and Spa
Chair: Cynthia W.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Deb H., Fullerton, CA
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Sue D., Yorba Linda, CA
- Saturday Night AA: Keith D., Yorba Linda, CA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Kent C., Sandusky, OH

2015: 13th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Into Action” date: Jan 16-18, 2015
Location: Sheraton Buganvilias
Chair: Mike R.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Terry M., Billings, MT
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Kelly P., Helena MT
- Saturday Night AA: Bill C., Los Angeles, CA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Don C., Colo. Springs, CO

2014: 12th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “H.O.W. It Works… Honest, Open and Willing”
Date: January 17-19, 2014
Location: CasaMagna Marriott
Chair: Jim H.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Katie P.: Austin, TX
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Gloria H., Seattle, WA
- Saturday Night AA: Bob D., Las Vegas, NV
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Rich B., Ocean City, MD

2013: 11th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Freedom From Bondage”
Date: January 18-20, 2013
Location: CasaMagna Marriott
Chair:
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Polly P., Jacksonville, FL
- Saturday Morning Al-Anon: Kathy H., Cincinnati, OH
- Saturday Night AA: Dave P., Jacksonville, FL
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Angie P., Cincinnati, OH

2012: 10th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Attitude of Gratitude”
Date: January 20-22, 2012
Location: CasaMagna Marriott
Chair:
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Bob Z., Thousand Oaks, CA
- Saturday Morning Alanon: Betty Ann Z., Thousand Oaks, CA
- Saturday Night AA: Steve L., Brentwood, TN
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Debbie D., Concord CA

2011: The 9th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Sunlight Of the Spirit”
Date: January 28-30, 2011
Location: NH Krystal
Chair: Sandy M.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Shannon F., Los Angeles, CA
- Saturday Morning Alanon: Jack C., Sylmar, CA
- Saturday Night AA: Leslie C., Sylmar, CA
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Matt M., Long Beach, CA

2010: The 8th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Mental, Physical, Spiritual”
Date: Jan 29-30-31 2010
Location: NH Krystal
Chair: Craig A
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Lynn H., Mercer Is., WA
- Saturday Night: Alanon: Ellen C. – Dallas, TX. AA: Dayle P., NYC, NY
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Tom W., Oakland, CA.

2009: The 7th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation

Theme: “Sunlight of the Spirit”
Date: Jan 23-25 2009
Location: NH Krystal
Chair: Christie S
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Sharon B-C, LA, CA & Alanon: Beverly B, Lewisville, TX
- Saturday Night: Dave C, Raleigh, North Carolina
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Tom I, Pinehurst, North Carolina

2008: The 6th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation. First year of the bookmarks

Theme: “Attitude of Gratitude”
Date: Jan 25-27, 2008
Location: NH Krystal
Chair: Barbara D.
Speakers:
- Friday AA: Debbie G., Carlsbad, California & Al-Anon: Beverly R., Ft. Worth, Texas
- Saturday Night: Bob B., St. Paul, Minnesota
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Jerry J., Lake Whitney, TX

2007: The 5th annual SUS AA convention with Al-Anon participation. First year with a theme, creation of timeline, committee service position descriptions, budget, financial reports and podium “Bible”.

Theme: “Happy, Joyous and Free”
Date: Jan 26-28, 2007
Location: NH Krystal
Chair: Barbara H.
Speakers:
- Friday Night AA: Gary L, Vancouver, B.C. Canada & Al-Anon – Sheila G, Brownsville, TX
- Saturday Night AA: Reggie D, Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
- Sunday Spiritual Breakfast: Patrick Francis T, Rancho Mirage, CA

2006: The 4th SUS annual AA convention, 1st with Al-Anon participation. 1st year of the logo and website: www.aapvconvention.com

Date: Jan 13-15, 2006
Location: Canto del Sol
Chair: Heather M.
Speakers:
- Friday AA-Barbara H. Seattle, WA & Al Anon-Jim H. Seattle, WA
- Saturday AA-Karen G. Venice, CA
- Sunday AA – Ed R. Terre Haute, IN

2005: The 3rd annual SUS AA convention

Date: Jan 14-16, 2005
Location: Canto del Sol
Chairs: Faith H. and Cheryl W.

2004: The 2nd annual AA convention. The name was changed to “Sobriety Under the Sun”. This was called the 1st convention by some as it was the first time the Serenity Group officially “sponsored” it, per an article Angela C. wrote for the PV Mirror that year.

Date: Jan 16-18, 2004
Location: Canto del Sol
Chairs: Faith H. and Cheryl W.

2003: Since it was decided to move the convention from October to January no convention was held in 2003.

2002: The 1st AA convention, put together by various members of the Puerto Vallarta Serenity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, was called “Soberfest 2002”

Date: October 2002
Location: Villas Vallarta

Sobriety Under The Sun

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We Have Free Speaker Audio Files from our most recent past conventions

Check Them Out!

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