The Venue:

The Alcoholics Anonymous International Convention in January of 2009, the first of its kind under the aegis of the General Service Office of India and the Karnataka State Committee of Alcoholics Anonymous, Karnataka is being organized in the beautiful city of Mangalore, situated on peninsular India's West Coast.

It has been a center of great inter-religious harmony with a rich cultural & religious heritage. Awe inspiring temples & churches stand witness to this wonderful city with lovable folks.

To the north of Mangalore is laid back Goa with its colourful beaches and resorts. To the south in Kerala are world class holistic oil massages in the Ayurvedic tradition. To the east are Mysore and Bangalore - a tourist's must see for historic monuments, palaces, heritage sights etc.,

Apart from being a major industrial port, India's Banking Industry had its origins in and around Mangalore. It is famed not only for its red clay Mangalore Roof Tiles but also for its world renowned, colour rich folk dance - the Yakshagana

With the Evergreen Forests of the Western Ghats Mountain Range forming the backdrop, the landscape is dominated by characteristic Coconut palms interspersed among rolling hills, rivers and the golden beaches of the Arabian Sea.

It was here that Jimmy M., a native residing in Mumbai first brought the message of hope and recovery to suffering alcoholics in 1958. Welcome to Mangalore in its Golden Jubilee Year of profound gratitude and to its first AA International Convention.