Touring is traveling for pleasure. Whether I take an afternoon or week long ride if it is for pleasure I am touring. If I am riding to work, racing or getting the groceries, this is not touring.

I am not familar with ACA but it after looking at the web site, I would expect it to attract a lot of tourists that are interested in extended tours since they mention cross country tours but they don't only specialize in extended tours. I don't think that you were in the wrong place. It is probably a very helpful place with alot of experienced people running the meeting and in the audience.