REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 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 June 10, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment, regarding an overview of the Hotel Occupancy Tax Grants. Presentation by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager. 3. Presentation by Austin Woman’s Club, 2026 Heritage Preservation Capital Grant recipient, regarding an overview of the organization, its role in the tourism industry and plans for their heritage grant. Presentation by Mary Ann Golden, President. 4. Presentation by Preservation Austin, 2026 Heritage Event Grant recipient, regarding an overview of the organization, its role in the tourism industry and plans for their heritage grant. Presentation by Bridget Gayle Ground, Learning and Engagement Manager. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 5. Discuss and approve the annual report of the Tourism Commission. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 6. Update from Hotel Occupancy Tax (H.O.T.) Grant Programs Working Group. STAFF BRIEFING 7. Briefing on commission deadlines and resources by April Thedford, Commission Liaison. 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 …
TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2026 MINUTES The Tourism Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, June 10, 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 • Greg Chanon, District 2 • Bishop Chappell, District 6 • Francisco “Cisco” Gomez, District 1 • Sophia Gonzalez, District 4 • Dani Pruitt, District 3 • Catherine Whited, District 9 Commissioner in Attendance Remotely: • Stefani Mathis, District 8 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Tourism Commission Regular Meeting on May 13, 2026. The minutes from the Tourism Commission regular meeting on May 13, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Gamez’s motion, Vice Chair Masters’s second on an 8-0 vote, Commissioner Chanon was off the dais. 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. 1 The presentation was made by Nikki Combs, Business Agent and Rachel McGee, Member, IATSE Local No. 205. Discussed. 3. Presentation by Unite Here regarding an overview of the organization and its role in the tourism industry. The presentation was made by Rachel Melendes, Political Director, Unite Here. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. Commissioner Pruitt provided an update from the Hotel Occupancy Tax Grant Programs Working Group. The working group has been focused on outlining their goals which include: reviewing the grant application process, collecting and reviewing data received from grant recipients, learning more about the grant recipients, what grant are group giving out, what is the granting timeline. The working group will continue to meet and will provide an update at the next monthly meeting. Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting at 4:19 p.m. without objection. 2
AWC Presentation to the COA Tourism Board July 2026 COA Grant Application Photos Ballroom floors rotted floor jamr Ballroom Door, notice space between Door and Floor Ballroom floor with rot damage Door jam in Ballroom Rotted door s urround Third Floor Door deterioration Third Floor door , flaking paint third level Flaking off lead bas ed paint on metal c eiling Third Floor paint c rac king, peeling and flaking. Thank you! Mary Ann Golden AWC President 2026 - 2027
PRESERVATION AUSTIN was founded as the Heritage Society of Austin in 1953. As one of the oldest citywide preservation nonprofits in the United States, we’ve been advocates and stewards of our city’s historic places for generations bearing witness to Austin’s incredible growth. OUR MISSION Preservation Austin exists to empower Austinites to shape a more inclusive, resilient, and meaningful community culture through preservation. In the 1970s the Heritage Society’s revolving fund and major loan program supported many of the historic buildings we treasure today: In the 1970s the Heritage Society’s revolving fund and major loan program supported many of the historic buildings we treasure today: ● Bought and sold to preservationists ○ Lundberg Bakery ○ Eugene Bremond House ○ Hirschfeld Moore ○ Walter Tips Building ● Gave major loans to ○ Governors Mansion ($25,000) ○ Elisabet Ney Museum ($50,000) ○ Paramount Theatre ($70,000) ○ Austin History Center ($60,000) ● Saved the Driskill by buying the final $105,000 in stock needed to purchase and preserve it Today we’re focused on supporting legacy businesses, underrepresented heritage, and providing policy solutions to tackle major challenges facing our city. Today we’re focused on supporting legacy businesses, underrepresented heritage, and providing policy solutions to tackle major challenges facing our city. ● 2019 marked a phase of investment in expanded organizational capacity. ● Strategic plan emphasized representing the generational, cultural, and racial diversity of the city we serve. ● Capital campaign and rehabilitation of McFarland-McBee House as headquarters. ● Staff expanded from 2 to 5.5 to support advocacy, programming, and operations. Preservation Austin has applied for and received three heritage grants: Preservation Austin has applied for and received three heritage grants: ● 2022 grant for structural repairs to the McFarland-McBee House ($250K) ● 2023 grant for 2024 Homes Tour ($30K) ● 2026 grant for 2026 Legacy Business Month ($62,135) Process of applying for the heritage grants: Process of applying for the heritage grants: ● 2022 grant for structural repairs to the McFarland-McBee House ($250K) ○ Application/reporting managed by Executive Director ● 2023 grant for 2024 Homes Tour ($30K) ○ Application/reporting managed by Policy & Outreach Planner (communications staff) ● 2026 grant for 2026 Legacy Business Month ($62,135) ○ Application/reporting managed by Learning & Engagement Manager (programming staff) Plans for the grant: ● Legacy Business Month celebrates long-time businesses that shape Austin’s culture. ● October 2026 will mark our fourth year of this program, and 40+ businesses featured …
Annual Internal Review and Report Questions 1. Name of Board or Commission: Tourism Commission 2. Has the board or commission's actions throughout the year complied with City Council directives and bylaws? This should address all elements of the board's mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Yes, No) Yes a. If No, please explain 3. How many recommendations did your board or commission approve? 2 4. Please list the recommendation numbers. Recommendation 20251117-007 Recommendation 20251117-008 5. Which recommendations are closely aligned to the organization's core mission and why? Both recommendations are aligned to the commission’s core mission. Recommendation 20251117-007 advised council on matters related to city infrastructure and facility investments related to tourism. Recommendation 20251117-008 supports the Rally Austin’s Bond Proposal, Rally Austin, the City’s first multi-purpose local government corporation, was created by Austin City Council to facilitate equitable, community-driven development and deliver projects that generate public benefit, including attracting tourism. 6. Which recommendations are adjacent to the organization's core mission and why? See Above, they are aligned, not adjacent 7. Please share any further context that could support or explain your recommendations. Optional 8. Is there another body that overlaps with the role and work of the board or commission you serve? (Yes, No) Yes a. If yes, which body? Downtown Commission, Arts Commission, Music Commission b. Please explain their alignment. Tourism impacts the downtown corridor; Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue is allocated to both the Cultural Arts and Live Music Fund. 9. Do the bylaws need to be updated? (Yes, No) No a. If yes, what would be the amendment (including section) and why? 10. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged are the board or commission members? 10 11. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged is the community? 3 12. Do you see any gaps in important policies that are not currently covered by a board or commission? (Yes, No) No a. If yes, please explain. 13. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. The Commission’s goal is to provide guidance and strategic recommendations to the City Council on all matters related to hotel occupancy tax (HOT) revenue and tourism related initiatives to support the City’s economic vitality and cultural promotion. Our objectives for the next year are as follows: • Advise the City Council on the allocation, investment strategies, and annual budgeting of HOT revenue and related …
