REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2026, AT 2:30 P.M. CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS ROOM 1001 300 W. 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Tourism Commission 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, contact April Thedford, (512) 404-4054 or april.thedford@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ed Bailey, Chair, District 5 Greg Chanon, District 2 Francisco “Cisco” Gamez, District 1 Stefani Mathis, District 8 Maxwell "Max" Pearce, District 7 Catherine Whited, District 9 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Cristina Masters, Vice Chair, District 10 Bishop Chappell, District 6 Sophia Gonzalez, District 4 Anna Panossian, Mayoral Dani Pruitt, District 3 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 1. Approve the minutes of the Tourism Commission Regular Meeting on May 13, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local No. 205, regarding an overview of the organization and its role in the tourism industry. Presentation by Nikki Combs, Business Agent. 3. Presentation by Unite Here regarding an overview of the organization and its role in the tourism industry. Presentation by Rachel Melendes, Political Director. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. Update from Hotel Occupancy Tax (H.O.T.) Grant Programs Working Group regarding upcoming meetings and goals. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email April Thedford or (512) at Austin Convention Center Department, april.thedford@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. 404-4054 at For more information on the Tourism Commission Board please contact April Thedford at (512) 404-4054 or april.thedford@austintexas.gov. The next Tourism Commission meeting will be on July …
TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026 MINUTES The Tourism Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 301 W. 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Ed Bailey called the Tourism Commission Meeting to order at 2:35 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: • Ed Bailey, Chair, District 5 • Cristina Masters, Vice Chair, District 10 • Bishop Chappell, District 6 • Francisco “Cisco” Gomez, District 1 • Sophia Gonzalez, District 4 • Stefani Mathis, District 8 • Anna Panossian, Mayoral • Maxwell “Max” Pearce, District 7 • Dani Pruitt, District 3 • Catherine Whited, District 9 Commissioner in Attendance Remotely: • Greg Chanon, District 2 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Tourism Commission Regular Meeting on April 8, 2026. The minutes from the Tourism Commission regular meeting on April 8, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Panossian’s motion, Vice Chair Masters’s second on a 10-0 vote, Commissioner Chanon was off the dais. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the recent commission vacancy that was filled; updates and introductions of new liaison assignments; and an overview of upcoming meetings and key deadlines. 1 The presentation was made by Felicia Burleson, Staff Liaison, Austin Convention Center. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Austin Police Department Association (Police Union) on officer perspectives related to downtown public safety, staffing realities, and how frontline conditions impact the visitor experience and special event support. The presentation was made by Michael Bullock, President, Austin Police Department Association. Discussed. Presentation by Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations regarding an overview of the 4. City’s council-approved strategic plan to address homelessness and to understand how this work intersects with Austin’s visitor experience. The presentation was made by Natasha Ponczek, Business Process Consultant, Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the creation of a working group. The motion to approve the formation of a Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) Grant Programs Working Group to evaluate how grant programs support Austin’s tourism economy and identify ways the Tourism Commission can strengthen program impact through recommendations to Austin City Council. The group will assess long-term outcomes to ensure HOT-funded programs remain effective, equitable, and aligned with Austin’s cultural and tourism priorities was approved at the April 8, 2026, regular meeting of the Tourism Commission on Commissioner Pruitt’s motion, Commissioner Panossian’s second on a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Chappell, Mathis …
