1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD March 13, 2024, at 2:30 pm City Hall Chambers Room 1001 301 W. Second St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Tourism Commission Board may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Felicia Ojeda, 512.404.4022 or felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Daniel Ronan, Chair Aileen Bazan Mike Cannatti Stefani Mathis John Riedie Bishop Chappell Ed Bailey, Vice Chair Greg Chanon Rachel Magee Anna Panossian Christian Tschoepe AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Tourism Commission Board Regular Meeting on February 14, 2024. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion of the Red River Cultural District regarding City Council’s vote in support of a city funding. Presentation by Dr. Karl Gebhardt, Chair of the University of Texas at Austin Department of Astronomy, regarding the importance of the upcoming April 8,2024 Eclipse. Presentation by Tom Noonan, President and CEO of Visit Austin, regarding an update on the Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) and tourism impact in Austin. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding how to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. Discussion and approval of the remaining 2024 calendar dates for the Tourism Commission meeting dates and location changes, if necessary. Discussion and approval of the upcoming Agenda topics for the 2024 calendar year for editing or approving of agenda topics. WORKING GROUPS Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding STRs recommendations. Update from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding the recent recommendation and dissolving of the working group. call FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with …
PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS March 7, 2024 PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 1 | Page Table of Contents Introduction A. Directive from Tourism Commission B. Overview of Working Group Recommendation Process C. Overview Description of Parks and Environment Funding Opportunities Exhibit A - Parks and Environment Working Group Recommendations Identifying Park Amenities to Leverage Tourism Funding for Park-Specific Projects I. PARKS AND ENVIRONMENT WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 2 | Page I. Introduction This document provides recommendations from the Parks and Environment Working Group to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. The document was prepared as a collaborative effort of the appointed members of the Parks and Environment Working Group which currently includes Commissioners Ronan and Cannatti, and also includes community/stakeholder representatives Molly Alexander (formerly, Downtown Austin), Hanna Cofer (The Trail Conservancy), George Cofer (formerly, Hill Country Conservancy), Clark Hancock (Save Barton Creek Association), Kayla Reese (Austin Parks Foundation), Ted Siff (Shoal Creek Conservancy), Chuck Smith (Pease Park Conservancy), and Scott Joslove (Texas Hotel and Lodging Association). A. Directive from Tourism Commission On February 20, 2020, the Tourism Commission appointed the Parks and Environment Working Group look into (1) Chapter 351 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks and/or environment, (2) Chapter 334 funding options for using hotel occupancy tax funds to benefit parks/environment, (3) park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park- specific projects, and (4) Palm Park HOT funding options. On May 10, 2021, the Working Group presented a set of recommendations for Topics 1-2 that were adopted by the Tourism Commission for recommendation to Council. However, the Working Group did not address Topics 3 or 4. Accordingly, the Working Group has not been closed since these topics remained to be addressed. B. Overview of Working Group Recommendation Process With discussions initiated on July 26, 2022, the Working Group has worked virtually to explore Topic 3 for the purpose of identifying park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects. This topic is not limited to the hotel occupancy tax funding constraints provided by Chapters 351 and 334 of the Texas Tax Code, but should explore other funding sources. While there was an interruption in their work in late 2022, the Working Group has since worked collaboratively to identify and recommend a number of potential funding sources, starting with funding …
CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20240313-XXX: These recommendations from the Tourism Commission’s Parks and Environment Working Group identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park- specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. WHEREAS, the City of Austin is regarded as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the country, with our parks, preserves, open spaces, waterways, spring-fed pools and greenbelt trails attracting tourists and citizens alike to Austin’s parks and environment; WHEREAS, Austin’s tourism industry actively uses our parks and environmental attractions to promote tourism to Austin, as readily seen from Visit Austin’s website listing Austin parks and environmental attractions (https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/history/austin-parks-recreation/), featuring Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Mt. Bonnell, Lady Bird Lake Butler Trail, and many more; WHEREAS, traditional funding sources for parks and environment spaces have struggled to keep up with our growing city, and have even dwindled over the years, especially with recent state law changes which prevent the City of Austin from collecting parkland development funds, decreasing the amount of parkland the city can require, and limiting the ability of municipalities to raise property tax revenue that could otherwise be used to pay for park and environment projects; and WHEREAS, the Tourism Commission was established to provide expertise and recommendations to the City Council concerning issues related to and that promote tourism, and in this role, seeks to find ways for both the tourism industry and the citizens of Austin to benefit; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group was appointed to prepare recommendations to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Austin Tourism Commission encourages the Austin City Council to consider and direct staff to consider the funding opportunities in the Parks and Environment Working Group Recommendations (attached) for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
WORKING DOCUMENT: Tourism Commission Road Map April 2024 – December 2024 Agenda Topics, Potential Speakers & Community Presenters Note: All meetings take place on Wednesdays from 2:30pm-4:30pm in City Council Chambers (unless modified by venue availability) April 10, 2024 – A Good Time: Food & Beverage • Potential Speakers: Restaurant Associations, Food Journalists • Potential Community Presenters: Independent Restaurants May 8, 2024 – National Tourism Week: Music Makers & Marketers • Potential Speakers: Music Venues • Potential Community Presenters: Event Promoters June 12, 2024 – Cultural Hubs: Museums & Cultural Sites • Potential Speakers: Texas Association of Museums & the Texas Historical Commission • Potential Community Presenters: Museums & Independent Cultural Sites July 10, 2024 – Coming Together: Conventions & Special Events • Potential Speakers: Convention Organizers & the City of Austin Convention Center Department • Potential Community Presenters: Local Event Companies August 14, 2024 – No Meeting September 11, 2024 – Funding Austin Tourism: City HOT Tax • Potential Speakers: City of Austin Chief Financial Officer & Economic Development Department • Potential Community Presenters: Doherty Arts Center October 9, 2024 – Across the Town: From Districts to Downtown • Potential Speakers: City of Austin Economist, Downtown Austin Alliance & • Potential Community Presenters: Palm District Cultural Organizations & Preservation Austin Local Tour Guides November 13, 2024 – Open Topic • Potential Speakers: • Potential Community Presenters: December 11, 2024 – Proposed: No Meeting 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Austin 2024 Total Eclipse April 8, 1:36pm - 1:38pm, totality in Austin downtown April 8, 12:17pm – 2:58pm, duration of eclipse About 2 minutes of totality Glasses or viewers always on if looking at Sun, except during totality Austin had a total eclipse in 1397, next in 2343 Texas had total eclipse in 1900, next in 2045 (barely touches panhandle) Info and training at: https://mcdonaldobservatory.org/eclipse Simons Foundation Site at https://www.inthepathoftotality.org/ Austin 2024 Total Eclipse Austin 2024 Total Eclipse Austin 2024 Total Eclipse Air will cool Feel like dusk/dawn Possibly see Sun’s corona See planets and bright stars If you don’t have solar viewing glasses, use a tree and look at the ground! My porch from the Oct 14, 2023, annular eclipse Austin 2024 Total Eclipse 12:20pm 1:37pm 2:55pm Use Solar Glasses!!! Use Solar Glasses!!! Use Naked Eye during Totality
CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20240313-005: These recommendations from the Tourism Commission’s Parks and Environment Working Group identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park- specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. WHEREAS, the City of Austin is regarded as one of the most environmentally conscious cities in the country, with our parks, preserves, open spaces, waterways, spring-fed pools and greenbelt trails attracting tourists and citizens alike to Austin’s parks and environment; WHEREAS, Austin’s tourism industry actively uses our parks and environmental attractions to promote tourism to Austin, as readily seen from Visit Austin’s website listing Austin parks and environmental attractions (https://www.austintexas.org/things-to-do/history/austin-parks-recreation/), featuring Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Metropolitan Park, Mt. Bonnell, Lady Bird Lake Butler Trail, and many more; WHEREAS, traditional funding sources for parks and environment spaces have struggled to keep up with our growing city, and have even dwindled over the years, especially with recent state law changes which prevent the City of Austin from collecting parkland development funds, decreasing the amount of parkland the city can require, and limiting the ability of municipalities to raise property tax revenue that could otherwise be used to pay for park and environment projects; and WHEREAS, the Tourism Commission was established to provide expertise and recommendations to the City Council concerning issues related to and that promote tourism, and in this role, seeks to find ways for both the tourism industry and the citizens of Austin to benefit; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Environment Working Group was appointed to prepare recommendations to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Austin Tourism Commission encourages the Austin City Council to consider and direct staff to consider the funding opportunities in the Parks and Environment Working Group Recommendations (attached) for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. Date of Approval: __3/13/2024___________________________ Record of the vote: 9- 0 approved vote Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
INTRODUCING OUR C.U.T. 2.0 Age 25+ | $75K+ HHI Travel Lover + Music/Sports/Food/Adventure Enthusiast 57% Female (116i) | 43% Male (84i) 67% Identified As Parents (94i) Hispanic Black Asian White 131i | 15% 124i | 12% 119i | 6% 94i | 75% Our C.U.T 2.0 audience is inspired to travel and searching far and wide for a perfect destination. The cities they choose to travel to and what they're looking for are direct reflections of their own identity. Immersive Traveler Travel is more than taking a trip, it's experiencing a place and everything unique that place has to offer. Creative Planner No stranger to the research rabbit holes - planning the trip is just as exciting as the trip itself. Trailblazer Vacation is a self expression of originality. Bring on the thrills that differentiate from the rest. Tech Aficionado Technology is integral to my life, it keeps me connected online and off from getting me to a trip to getting me around on the trip. Nothing I do is done without technology. *Ethnicity data includes those who identify as more than one race Source: 2023 MRI-Simmons Spring Double Base USA INTRODUCING OUR C.U.T. 2.0 Travelers Tina and Su live in NYC and are planning their Summer getaway. They are certified foodies; Tina is always on top of all the hottest restaurants in town and Su is working on perfecting his smoked brisket recipe. Su’s family originated from Cameroon, so soccer reigns supreme. Nate is looking to dodge the Seattle rain and extend his days of sunshine before August ends. He wants to spend his mornings walking trails and chasing sunrises, while spending his evenings immersed in live music. Nate has an adventurous spirit and is always on the hunt for the greatest local gems. Food trucks and pop ups are his jam! The school year is ending in a few weeks, and the Vargas family is looking for a perfect vacation spot the entire family can enjoy over the summer. Outdoor lovers and looking to disconnect from school and demanding careers in tech, they are looking forward to spending the day at the lakes and waterparks.
TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (13, MARCH 2024) TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 13, MARCH 2024 The TOURISM COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 13, MARCH 2024, at 301 w. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Chair, Daniel Ronan called the TOURISM COMMISSION Meeting to order at 2:31 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioners Ed Bailey, Mike Cannatti, Greg Chanon, Bishop Chappell, Anna Panossian, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioners Aileen Bazan and Stefani Mathis Board Members/Commissioners Absence: Commissioners Rachel Magee and John Riedie APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on February 14, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 2/14/2024 were approved on Commissioner Chappell’s motion and Vice Chair Bailey’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Aileen Bazan and Greg Chanon were off the dais and Rachel Magee and John Riedie were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS variety of items Presentation by Tom Noonan - President and CEO, Steve Genovesi - Executive Vice President and Shelley Hall - Vice President of Marketing of the Visit Austin organization regarding an update on the Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) and tourism impact in Austin. Discussed a brief update of the Red River Cultural District regarding City Council’s vote in support of city funding. Presentation by Dr. Karl Gebhardt, Chair of the University of Texas at Austin Department of Astronomy, regarding the importance of the upcoming April 8,2024 Eclipse. 2. 3. 4. 1 (13, MARCH 2024) TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. The Approval of a recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding how to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community. a. The motion to approve the recommendation from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding how to identify park amenities to leverage tourism funding for park-specific projects that can benefit parks and environment in our community was approved on Commissioner Panossian’s motion, Commissioner Cannatti’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Rachel Magee and John Riedie were absent. 6. 7. Discussed the remaining 2024 calendar dates for the Tourism Commission meeting dates and location changes. Discussed the upcoming Agenda topics for the 2024 calendar year for editing or approving of agenda topics. a. Food and Beverage – Inviting Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau b. Board Elections in April c. Training Requirements by May 10, 2024 …
