The West Texas Press Association was organized in 1926 and the first convention was held in Colorado City. Because no conventions were held in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1945, during World War II, a group of newspaper people, including Marvin Hunter of Baird, Roy M. Craig of Stamford, Jim Allison, Sr., of Midland and Secretary Maud Green of Kermit meet in Baird to re-organize and the 1946 convention was held in Sweetwater. Yearly summer conventions have occurred since that time.