1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD September 11, 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, D9 Aileen Bazan, D1 Christian Tschoepe, D3 Bishop Chappell, D6 Stefani Mathis, D8 Anna Panossian, Mayoral Ed Bailey, Vice Chair, D5 Greg Chanon, D2 District 4 (vacant) John Riedie, D7 Mike Cannatti, D10 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 July 15, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff briefing from Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda, regarding upcoming meetings, reminders of Board and Commission policies, and deadlines. 3. 6. 7. Presentation by Laura Esparza, Executive Director of A3 (formerly Arts Alliance of Austin), regarding an update on Doherty Arts Center Project and its tourism potential. Discussion regarding the vacancy of District 4. Discussion regarding the Tourism Commission Road Map on upcoming topics. 4. 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion and possible action to reestablishment of the Short- Term Rental Work Group and its potential priorities and next steps. Discussion and possible action to reestablishment of Parks & Environment Work Group and its potential priorities and next steps. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Felicia Ojeda at Austin Convention Center Department, at felicia.ojeda@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. …
W H AT I S A 3 ? - A non-profit Local Arts Agency devoted to supporting artists, musicians, performers and arts contractors who make Austin a vibrant city. - An all-volunteer organization of business and arts professionals who believe that the arts are integral to our quality of life. - A catalyst for community change in collaboration with others who are committed to the value of the arts. WHAT IS A LOCAL ARTS AGENCY? • The nation’s 4,500 Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) promote, support, and develop the arts at the local level ensuring a vital presence for the arts throughout America’s communities. LAAs are diverse in their makeup—they have many different names and embrace a spectrum of artistic disciplines. But each LAA, in its own way, works to sustain the health and vitality of the arts and artists locally, while also striving to make the arts accessible to all members of a community. • The Cultural Arts Division is a Local Arts Agency but cities can have more than one thus diversifying the funding pool. • Americans for the Arts tells us that the Arts strengthen the economy and community cohesiveness. Museum with an Arts and Crafts Festival. • Kevin Ivester, Gallery Owner WHO IS A3? PA S T • The Texas Fine Arts Association started in 1911 at the Elisabet Ney Museum. • In 1950 it fundraised for Laguna Gloria • In 1956 they renamed their festival FIESTA, in an inappropriate act of cultural appropriation. • In 1989 the organization became Art Alliance Austin and produced Art City Austin. • It went dormant in 2020 due to COVID- 19 pandemic. P R E S E N T • Board Chair Eric Hiduke, Attorney-at-Law • David Goujon, Architect • Jade Walker, Curator • Andrea Hyland, Event Producer • Imani Aanu, Director Austin Samba School • Kayo Asazu, Restaurant owner/operator • Nick Stillman, Executive Director Prospect New Orleans. • Advisors: Constance White (Airport Arts & Music) Lourdes Rodriguez (ED David Rockefeller Fund) Lydia Galvan (Teacher) Dana Friis-Hansen (Retired Museum Director) CAN A3 FUND CITY FACILITIES? • City staff and Commissioners cannot solicit funds from individuals, businesses or the COA Cultural Arts Division. • They can write grants but this requires two acts of City Council and the timelines do not always match the funders’ deadlines. • Gifts of money directly to cultural centers cannot be used in the same fiscal …
WORKING DOCUMENT: Tourism Commission Road Map June 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) 1. 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 – PROPOSED TOPIC – Tourism & Wellness – Creating a Welcoming Tourism Environment • Potential Speakers: Night Club Venues, Security Teams, Public Health Advocates • Potential Community Presenters: TBA December 11, 2024 – Proposed: No Meeting 2. 3.
TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 11, SEPTEMBER 2024 The TOURISM COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 11, SEPTEMBER 2024, at 301 w. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Chair, Daniel Ronan called the TOURISM COMMISSION Meeting to order at 2:32 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioners Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Bishop Chappell, Stefani Mathis, Anna Panossian, John Riedie, and Daniel Ronan Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioners Christian Tschoepe Board Members/Commissioners Absence: Commissioners Aileen Bazan APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on July 15, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 7/15/2024 were approved on Commissioner Panossian’s motion and Vice Chair Ed Bailey’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Ed Bailey, Bishop Chappell, Stefani Mathis Anna Panossian, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe approved the vote. Commissioners Aileen Bazan was absent. Commissioner Greg Chanon and John Riedie was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda briefed the board on the upcoming meetings, and vacancy for District 4 and reminder of the Texas Open Meetings Act policy and procedures. DISCUSSION ITEMS variety of items Laura Esparza, Executive Director of A3 (formerly Arts Alliance of Austin), presented on an update on Doherty Arts Center Project and its tourism potential. Discussion regarding the vacancy of District 4. 3. 4. 1 5. Discussion regarding the Tourism Commission Road Map on upcoming topics. a. Commissioner Panossian recommends having a December 11, 2024, meeting to discuss 2025 Road Map of Agenda topics only. No Speakers. i. Commissioner Mathis seconds the suggestion to meet without speakers. b. Commissioner Chappell seconds Commissioner Panossian’s recommendation to meet in December to discuss Health inspections for restaurants to be displayed for the public safety and awareness. c. Commissioner Riedie also recommends meeting in December and to invite the Black Cultural District (Six Square) d. Vice Chair Bailey suggest reviewing our Future Agenda conversation from our July 15, 2024, meeting. Also to invite Visit Austin to report an annual briefing regarding future planning for events in Austin, Marketing plan, and Budget. e. Chair Ronan seconds the idea of Visit Austin and include the City of Austin Financial Department to discuss distributions on city programs. i. Commissioner Panossian agrees to revisiting with the City of Austin Financial Department. f. Chair Ronan mentions 2025 calendar schedule. i. Commissioners agree to keep the schedule as is. ii. 2nd Wednesday of each month from 2:30pm- 4:30pm DISCUSSION …
