The Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau announces that there will be a special convention meeting in Austin this weekend.

Austin will be hosting the Zonta District 7 Leadership Seminar on Oct. 1-3, 2010. The District 7 consists of Zonta members from, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas, and Minnesota. The weekend will consist of break-out sessions for the new Presidents, Vice Presidents, Treasurers and Organization, Membership and Classification committee members so that they will get a better understanding of what their new positions entail. During the weekend there will be a presentation from Dr. Earl and Beverly Thompson from Clarks Grove on Nepal Social Services. Zonta International added Nepal as one of the countries that it will send funding to during the 2010-2012 biennium. During free time, members will tour The Hormel Institute and also the Spam Museum. The Saturday evening meal will be a “Murder Mystery Dinner” at the Holiday Inn where guests are residing for the seminar.

The Zonta Club of Austin will be celebrating 60 years in Austin this year. Zonta is “the best kept secret in town” so members want more people in the community to know about their great organization.

The Zonta Club of Austin is a member of Zonta International District 7, which is comprised of clubs in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Missouri.  The District hosts two meetings annually for its members — a conference or seminar in the fall where all members are invited to participate and enjoy a weekend where plans are made, direction is forged, and fun is had by all.

For further information, please contact the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau (contact information listed above) or Cheryl Retterath, Zonta President and Membership Committee chair at 507-433-7325.

Financial practice adds new associate

Davis, Thoen, Kramer & Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have added James D. Surdy to their staff.

Surdy is a lifelong resident of Austin and graduated in 2009 from Bemidji State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.

Surdy holds a Securities License, as well as a Minnesota Insurance license. As a fully licensed Paraplanner with the firm, he will assist the advisors in the office as they work to help clients identify their financial needs and objectives and recommend solutions to help them plan for their goals.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. is a diversified financial services company serving the comprehensive financial planning needs of the mass affluent and affluent. For more information, visit ameriprise.com.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.