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The Texas Federal Tax Institute, a Dallas-based nonprofit, has filed a lawsuit over cancellation of its annual conference at the\u00a0Signia by Hotel La Cantera Resort & Spa. The group attributed the cancellation to the hotel wanting to capture \u201cmore lucrative business\u201d from the Spurs\u2019 return to the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n
Josie Norris, San Antonio Express-News \/ Staff photographer<\/p>\n
The San Antonio Spurs aren\u2019t defendants in a lawsuit\u00a0filed this week, but their return to the\u00a0NBA Finals<\/a> figures prominently in it.<\/p>\n The Texas Federal Tax Institute<\/a> alleged\u00a0Signia at Hilton La\u00a0Cantera Resort & Spa<\/a> canceled the group\u2019s annual conference less than 48 hours before attendees were due to arrive.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The reason?\u00a0La\u00a0Cantera wanted to capture \u201cmore lucrative business\u201d from the Spurs\u2019 appearance in the championship series, the Dallas-based nonprofit group said in its complaint.<\/p>\n The group sought a temporary restraining order prohibiting La Cantera from canceling the conference and room booking. However, the parties reached an agreement, according a note signed by state District Judge Antonia Arteaga<\/a> at 4:55 p.m. Tuesday. The note was made public Wednesday.<\/p>\n A La Cantera spokesperson confirmed a deal had been reached.<\/p>\n San Antonio Express News Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe worked closely with the group and we are pleased to share that the matter has been resolved,\u201d the spokesperson said Wednesday. No further details were provided.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The group\u2019s website shows it\u2019s now holding the conference<\/a> from Wednesday to Friday at the Hilton Placio del Rio<\/a> at 200 S. Alamo St.<\/p>\n It\u2019s unclear if La Cantera had any hand in shifting the event to the Placio del Rio. Austin attorneys\u00a0Judd Stone II<\/a> and Christopher Hilton<\/a>, who represent the group, didn\u2019t immediately respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n The lawsuit had not been dismissed as of early Wednesday afternoon.<\/p>\n READ MORE: MLB star Alex\u00a0Bregman, La Cantera Resort settled litigation over canceled wedding amid pandemic<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In laying out its allegations, the organization took a swipe at the team just vanquished<\/a> by the Spurs in the Western Conference finals.<\/p>\n \u201cIn a display of sportsmanship on par with the Oklahoma City Thunder, La Cantera Resort & Spa is attempting to capitalize on the blood, sweat, and tears of the San Antonio Spurs by canceling a contract with\u201d the group, the complaint said.<\/p>\n The Texas Institute for Federal Texas, which does business as the Texas Federal Tax Institute, provides continuing legal education to tax lawyers and accountants. It calls itself \u201cthe cream of the tax profession\u201d in the state and the Southwest.<\/p>\n The organization said it entered into a contract three years ago to hold a conference from Tuesday through Sunday at the 496-room La Cantera. The conference, which regularly attracts more than 250 attendees, has been held at La Cantera since at least 2018.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n La Cantera agreed to provide 455 guest room nights at rates ranging from $165 to $265 a night. It also set aside\u00a0meeting and event space for the conference.<\/p>\n The group said it fully performed under the contract and has paid nearly $250,000 to La Cantera.<\/p>\n RELATED: La\u00a0Cantera Resort & Spa is now the first Signia by Hilton hotel in Texas<\/a><\/p>\n At 8 a.m. Monday, La\u00a0Cantera gave notice that it was canceling the institute\u2019s reservations and \u201crefusing to honor its obligations under the contract,\u201d the suit said.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cLa Cantera informed TFTI that the reason for its cancellation was the occurrence of the NBA Finals in San Antonio at the same time as the TFTI conference,\u201d Kevin Thomason<\/a>, the group\u2019s chairman, said in a declaration attached to the lawsuit.<\/p>\n The group argued the contract did not give La Cantera the right to cancel the conference for any reason. The agreement contains a \u201cforce majeure\u201d<\/a> clause, which excuses a party from a contract when extraordinary events beyond its control\u00a0\u2014 such as natural disasters, wars or government actions\u00a0\u2014 make performance impossible.<\/p>\n \u201cThe occurrence of the NBA Finals is none of these things,\u201d the group added in its suit. It was filed just after 5 p.m. Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n<\/p>\n