Even the weather couldn’t keep them away — 304 people still made the trek to Houston Jan. 18-20 for TPA’s 60th Midwinter Conference & Trade Show in spite of a snow and ice storm that shut down many highways across Texas.

The weather affected the conference attendance, which was down from last year’s 366 people at the 59th event in Dallas. The number of newspapers represented this year also was down, only 123 compared to 160 last year.

But one number remained high — 34 first-timers attended their first ever TPA convention.

This year’s theme was “Set Your Course: Newspaper First & Next.” The event was held at The Westin Galleria Houston.

The Texas Newspaper Foundation Silent Auction raised almost $5,700. Sixty vendors exhibited in the Trade Show.