1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD June 12, 2024, at 3:00 pm City Hall Board & Commission Room 1101 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 District 4 (vacant) 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 May 8, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff briefing from Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda, regarding the vacancy on the board and upcoming schedule changes for upcoming meetings. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Presentation by Catherine Whited, Co-Chair of the Austin Museum Partnership, regarding Austin Museum Economy and its impact on Tourism. Presentation by Rowena Dasch, Executive Director of the Neill-Cochran House Museum, regarding the Neill-Cochran House Museum and implications for Museum Tourism in Austin. Presentation by Brittany Petrilli, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Museums, regarding the Texas Museum Economy in Texas and implications for Austin, Texas Tourism Economy. Discussion of the Annual Internal Review for the Tourism Commission Board. 6. WORKING GROUPS Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding the STRs recommendation and efforts with city council. Update from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding the recommendation on Parks funding to city council. 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 …
Catherine Whited Co-Chair Who are we? ● 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1998 ● Promotes and facilitates collaboration within the museum community for the benefit of our museums and the community at large ● Membership is open to cultural institutions in the Greater Austin area, businesses and organizations that provide museum-related services, and individuals interested in furthering the purpose of AMP Who are we? Governance ● 10 person volunteer board Funding ● Member dues ● Sponsorships ● Grants AMP Board Members (2013) What do we do? Connect with the Public: ● Austin Museum Day ● Educators Night ● Website ● Happy Hour events What do we do? Connect with Members: ● Professional Development ● Grants ● Networking & Knowledge Sharing Austin Museum Day ● Since 1998, the Austin Museum Partnership has coordinated Austin Museum Day ● Participating institutions offer free admission and special programs ● Always held on the penultimate Sunday of the month in September The Contemporary Austin - interactive mural Austin Toy Museum Elisabet Ney Museum - Portraiture in the Park Austin Museum Day - September 22, 2024 Austin Museum Partnership is responsible for… ● Organizing participating museums ● Sponsorships & fundraising ● Promotional materials, advertising, PR ● Updating AMP website & social media sites ● Social media guide for museums ● Documentation and evaluation Promotional materials, advertising, PR Promotional materials, advertising, PR Documenting and Evaluation Professional Development Grants Employees of member institutions have utilized our microgrants to take advantage of professional development opportunities such as… ● Conferences ● Online courses ● International internships Member Institutions ● Art Galleries at Black Studies ● Austin History Center ● Austin Museum of Popular Culture ● Austin Nature & Science Center ● Bastrop County Historical Society ● Blanton Museum of Art ● Brush Square Museums ● Bullock Texas State History Museum ● Chateau Bellevue, Home of the Austin Woman’s Club ● City of Austin Cultural Arts Division ● Dougherty Arts Center ● Elisabet Ney Museum ● Flower Hill Foundation ● Harry Ransom Center ● Hezikiah Haskell House ● Humanities Texas ● ● ● ● Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms Foundation Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Landmarks LBJ Presidential Library ● MathHappens Foundation ● Mexic-Arte Museum ● Millett’s Opera House ● Museo Benini ● Neill-Cochran House Museum ● Save Austin’s Cemeteries ● Science Mill ● ● Texas Capitol Visitors Center Texas Medical Association History of Medicine Gallery Texas Military Forces Museum Texas Music Museum …
The Neill-Cochran House Museum: Step into Austin History T he N CH M: W ho are we? • One of Austin’s 10 oldest residences • H ome to the only in tact slave quarters standing in the city • Owned and operated by the N SCDA-T X • Located in the heart of central Austin, but originally inten ded as a suburban estate • Open ed (first floor) in 1960; whole site open since late 1970s; professional staff since 2005 • 10,000 visitors for the first time last year T he N CH M: W here are we? T he N CH M: W here are we? T he N CH M: How have we used HOT funding? 2019: Wrought and Cast-Iron Fencing T he N CH M: How have we used HOT funding? 2023: Reckoning with the Past: The Untold Story of Race in Austin Project T he N CH M: How did we get from 1,500 to 10,000?? • R otating exhibitions • Performing arts collaborations • More relevant narratives T he N CH M: The Stats • 10,000 total visitors • 6,000 Central T exas • 2,500 from around T exas • 1,000 national • 500 international T he N CH M: W hat are we doing to grow our attendance? • Google advertising (non- profit support) • Event Vesta • POGO Pass • T iqets • FB/Insta • Austin K ids Directory • Prestige Magazine (R enaissance H otel Arboretum) • Listed for free elsewhere T he N CH M: How could the Tourism Commission help? • Encourage heritage tourism advertising • H elp museums connect with representatives from the hospitality industry • Advocate for historic preservation efforts that will protect the historic fabric of the city A sustainable organization is one that, through beneficial circumstances and good professional practices, generates enough financial and community support to guarantee its continued existence on an indefinite basis. A sustainable museum engages with its community and this is evident in broad community financial, in-kind, and volunteer support. Dependable support from a city, county, or state government is a hallmark of sustainable museums. History museums need the support of city or county general revenue funds, hotel occupancy taxes, or property taxes. N ot only does this support provide a continual base level of funding for the museum, it provides confidence in other donors that the museum is permanent. Performing Arts …
The Texas Association of Museums 1. 2. Museums & Cultural Sites as Tourism 3. TAM Annual Conference 4. TAM 2025 Austin Texas Association of Museums 1939 1974 2024 TAM MISSION STATEMENT The Texas Association of Museums strengthens the Texas museum community through collaborations, connections, professional development, and advocacy. Texas Association of Museums ● 2,000 + Museum Professionals in the State ● 400+ Museums ○ Art ○ History ○ Science ○ Children’s ○ Specialized (Railroad, Maritime, Aviation, Etc.) ○ Virtual ● 30 Businesses ● 5 Academic Institutions Texas Association of Museums ● Advocacy ● Promote Excellence in the Field ● Networking Events ● Professional Development ● Annual Conference ● 76% of all US leisure travelers participate in cultural or Museums as Economic Engines heritage activities such as visiting museums. These travelers spend 60% more money on average than other leisure travelers. ● Museums and other nonprofit cultural organizations return more than $5 in tax revenues for every $1 they receive in funding from all levels of government. ● Museums support more than 726,000 American jobs. ● Museums contribute $50 billion to the US economy each year. ● The economic activity of museums generates more than $12 billion in tax revenue, one-third of it going to state and local governments. Each job created by the museum sector results in $16,495 in additional tax. ● Every direct job at a museum supports an additional job in the economy. This is a higher rate than many other TAM Annual Conference TAM Annual Conference ● According to the Destination Marketing Association International Economic Impact Calculator, based on an average daily hotel room rate of $139 in 2019, the TAM conference yields a minimum direct economic impact of $270,000 for any host city. ○ This impact figure does not include indirect or induced impacts or assumptions. ● The conference typically takes place during the week, which is a higher need time for hotels, restaurants, and retail. TAM Annual Conference TAM 2025 | AUSTIN | 50th Anniversary ● Call for Proposals Open until July 15, 2025 ● Hotel Room Block In Process ● Local Host Committee Assembled Thank you for being a part of the community _
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 Austin Tourism Commission The Austin Tourism Commission mission statement is: "to provide expertise and recommendations to the city council concerning hotel occupancy tax revenue collected by the city and issues related to and that promote tourism" In the past year, the Austin Tourism Commission, has sought to establish stability as a concerted voice for tourism in the city by inviting and elevating various speakers to provide insights into the interworkings of: a. HOT tax funding, including the City of Austin and the State of Texas; b. The Tourism Public Improvement District in addressing the needs of tourism and the unhoused in Austin, including a resolution to City Council recommending HOT tax dollars used via the general fund be used to fund downtown needs for the unhoused, improving the environment for tourism downtown; c. Arts and culture funds as allocated through HOT tax funding, and the efficacy of these funds for said programs, including a unanimous resolution to City Council to fully-fund the Red River Cultural Arts District; d. The efficiency and recommendations for improvement of short-term rental regulation in Austin to aid in increasing HOT tax revenue collection, including a resolution to City Council with a series of recommendations to improve existing enforcement of unregulated short- term rentals in Austin; and e. Strategies to increase funding for parks and open space in Austin, cherished destinations that serve as tourism-drivers. Pursuant to the above, the Austin Tourism Commission has followed the intent of Austin City Council by providing its expertise and recommendations in-line with its mandate concerning hotel occupancy tax revenue and issues related to and promoting tourism. The following are the Tourism Commission's goals and objectives for the new calendar year: a. Continue discussions that aid in increasing HOT tax revenue in the City of Austin for uses pertaining to tourism-related activities, including but not limited to: Economic Development Department Cultural Arts Grants, Heritage Preservation Grants, and parks and open space uses; b. Continue to host topical meetings to engage tourism commissioners, the public, City staff, and members of the City Council, in timely and relevant topics that pertain to the HOT tax and improving tourism outcomes in Austin; c. Continue to advocate for the most efficient and cost-effective spending of HOT tax dollars for tourism aims in Austin; and d. Serve as a sounding board and …
TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (12, JUNE, 2024) TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 12, JUNE 2024 The TOURISM COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 12, JUNE 2024, at 301 w. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair, Ed Bailey called the TOURISM COMMISSION Meeting to order at 3:08 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioners Ed Bailey, Mike Cannatti, Greg Chanon, Stefani Mathis, John Riedie and Christian Tschoepe Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Chair Daniel Ronan and Commissioner Aileen Bazan Board Members/Commissioners Absence: Commissioners Bishop Chappell and Anna Panossian APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on May 8, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 5/8/2024 were approved on Commissioner Chanon’s motion and Commissioner Riedie second on a 7-0-1 vote. Commissioners Aileen Bazan, Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Stefani Mathis, John Riedie, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe approved the vote. Commissioners Bishop Chappell and Anna Panossian were absent. Commissioner Mike Cannatti abstained. Commissioner Cannatti did inquire the Approved minutes during the May meeting regarding the April 10 minutes. More planned discussion with guidance from the clerk’s office during our July minutes. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda briefed the board on the important deadline for the Annual Internal Review, upcoming schedule changes for upcoming meetings, and vacancy for District 4. 1 TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES DISCUSSION ITEMS variety of items (12, JUNE, 2024) 3. 4. 5. 6. Catherine Whited, Co-Chair of the Austin Museum Partnership, presented on Austin Museum Economy and its impact on Tourism. Rowena Dasch, Executive Director of the Neill-Cochran House Museum, presented on the Neill-Cochran House Museum and implications for Museum Tourism in Austin. Brittany Petrilli, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Museums, presented on the Texas Museum Economy in Texas and implications for Austin, Texas Tourism Economy. Discussion of the Annual Internal Review for the Tourism Commission Board for August 2023- June 2024. a. Commissioner Mathis requested to see the previous year report to review as well. b. Review the statements from last year’s goals and objectives section. c. Commissioner Cannatti suggested to add in Item A for the Goals and Objectives in the new year: i. Continue discussions that aid in increasing “TOURISM” and HOT tax revenue… Motion to adjourn the meeting by Commissioner Riedie and seconded by Commissioner Mathis. Vice Chair Bailey adjourned the meeting at 4:40pm due to lack of quorum. The minutes were approved at …
Tourism Commission Board Community Interest Announcement Friday, May 31, 2024 is the last day to submit comments on the draft preservation plan. Please take a few minutes to check out the plan website (PublicInput.com/ATXpresplan), which includes the draft plan for review, a fun 5- minute community survey, short videos, and much more. Share your thoughts to shape the plan! Community Open House at the Broken Spoke! Come to the historic Broken Spoke from 4 to 6:30 p.m. to learn more about the draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan, tell us your ideas and feedback, and maybe two-step a little to live music! (The City will not be providing alcohol.) May 23, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Broken Spoke, 3201 s. Lamar Blvd. A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur. Felicia Ojeda, Tourism Commission Staff Liaison 512.404.4022
Tourism Commission Board Community Interest Announcement Friday, May 31, 2024 is the last day to submit comments on the draft preservation plan. Please take a few minutes to check out the plan website (PublicInput.com/ATXpresplan), which includes the draft plan for review, a fun 5- minute community survey, short videos, and much more. Share your thoughts to shape the plan! Block Party! Join us on Givens Avenue in East Austin from 12 to 4 p.m. for a live DJ, guided neighborhood tours by Black Austin Tours, free snacks from local businesses, information about the draft Equity-Based Preservation Plan, and community partner booths with resources. Games and fun activities for kids and everyone! This event is co-hosted with Preservation Austin. May 18, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Givens Avenue in East Austin A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur. Felicia Ojeda, Tourism Commission Staff Liaison 512.404.4022
1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD May 8, 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 April 10, 2024. Staff briefing from Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda, regarding the final deadline for training requirements and upcoming schedule changes for upcoming meetings. Presentation by Omar Lozano, Director of Music Marketing with Visit Austin, regarding Austin’s Music Ecosystem and Connections with Tourism. Presentation by Chip Adams, Community Relations and Outreach Specialist with the Texas Music Office - Office of Governor Greg Abbott, regarding the Music Economy in the State of Texas and its impact on Tourism Presentation by Will Bridges, Co-Owner of Antone’s Nightclub regarding the Music Economy from the vantage point of Austin Music Venues. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS WORKING GROUPS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding the STRs recommendation and efforts with city council. Update from the Parks and Environment Working Group regarding the recommendation on Parks funding to city council. call 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 at …
TEXAS MUSIC OFFICE TOURISM COMMISSION PRESENTATION WHERE TO FIND US Website: texasmusicoffice.com Facebook: texasmusicoffice Instagram: texasmusicoffice LinkedIn: texasmusicoffice X: @txmusicoffice WHAT WE DO New Business Development Music Industry Resources Music Education & Community Grant Program Texas Music Incubator Rebate Program Music Friendly Texas Program TEXAS MUSIC OFFICE For 34 years the Texas Music Office has served the Texas music industry. Its mission to create opportunity and connect businesses continues today. Our core functions are to serve as a clearinghouse for Texas music industry information via the TMO's Texas Music Industry Directory (a business referral network comprised of 16,000-plus Texas music businesses), serve as a liaison between music businesses and government offices and agencies, publicize significant developments within the industry, and to attract essential music industry to foster the economic development of Texas music businesses and musicians. TEXAS MUSIC ECONOMY Combined, music business and music education directly account for just under 90,000 permanent jobs, $4.6 billion in annual earnings, and just over $10.8 billion in annual economic activity, comparable to the results pre- pandemic. The ripple effects associated with the direct injection related to music business and music education bring the total impact (including the direct effects) to over 192,000 permanent jobs, $9.4 billion in earnings, and $26.6 billion in annual economic activity. The State of Texas also realizes approximately $470 million in tax revenue from these impacts. (2023 Eco Impact Study) TEXAS MUSIC INCUBATOR REBATE PROGRAM The Texas Music Incubator Rebate (TMIR) Program was established by Senate Bill 609 and signed into law by Governor Abbott following the 87th Legislative Session. With $20.2 million in funding approved for the biennium in the 88th Legislative Session, the TMIR Program will provide qualifying music venues and festival promoters in Texas a full or partial rebate of the mixed beverage gross receipts taxes or sales taxes attributable to the sale of beer and wine in the prior fiscal year to help support the live music industry in communities across the state. The TMIR Program will be administered by the Texas Music Office. WWW.TMIR.GOV.TEXAS.GOV MUSIC EDUCATION & COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM The Texas Music Office's Music Education & Community Grant Program (aka the License Plate Grant) seeks to provide opportunities for the next generation of Texas musicians and to provide support for music programming in under-served and under-resourced communities. $22 from the $30 fee from the purchase of every Texas …
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) 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.
VISIT AUSTIN MUSIC OFFICE OMAR LOZANO, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MARKETING TOURISM COMMISSION 5.8.24 About Visit Austin MUSIC OFFICE ➔ Visit Austin is the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City of Austin ➔ The Visit Austin Music Office promotes Austin as the Live Music Capital of the World® through campaigns, events, musician bookings and content ➔ The Music Office maintains relationships with local music stakeholders to ensure collaboration and positive impact to tourism, hospitality and music ecosystem overall ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MUSIC TOURISM ➔ The most recent study of Austin music economic impact (The Economic Impact of Music 2014 TXP) ● Music and Music-related tourism valued at $1.8B+ ● At the time accounted for 20K+ jobs in primary music and strong growth music-tourism related jobs (13k+) ➔ ACL 2022 = $448 Million in economic impact ➔ SXSW 2023 = $381 Million in economic impact ➔ CMT 2023 = $19.8 Million in economic impact ● 14,000 estimated attendance ● 2023 hotel impact: +40% RevPAR gain vs avg April Sunday ● 2024 hotel impact*: +132% RevPAR gain vs avg April Sunday night night *NOTE: 2024 was also impacted by the eclipse; RevPAR = revenue per available room CASE STUDY: HARRY STYLES MOODY CENTER RESIDENCY ➔Five night residency at Moody Center over Sept. 25-26, Sept. 28-29 and October 2-3, 2022 ➔ 11% lift in visitor spending on the last two nights of the concert. ➔Avg 3% Lift in Hotel Occupancy on Nights of the Concerts ➔Majority of attendees at Moody Center were visitors. ➔35% of visitors came from outside of Texas and 86% of visitors stayed overnight ➔Cross visitation showed visitors using the airport and going to points of interest in The Domain, Downtown, South Austin and more 2024 CNN NEW YEAR’S EVE HIRE AUSTIN MUSICIAN PROGRAM ➔ Refers local acts to conventions, meetings & other event planners ➔ Inclusive database of more than 850 artists ➔ 26 diverse genres represented ➔ In addition to event bookings, Visit Austin also licenses music, photos and regularly compensates artists for appearances in content and campaigns ➔ Feature available free on the Visit Austin website Fiscal Year Musicians Hired 141 128 89 102 163 146 191 131 Direct Musician Payout $273,355 $219,750 $55,685 $69,750 $256,210 $354,270 $344,322 $187,050 I I I N A C S U M N T S U A N A E R H I S T L U S E R M …
TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES (8, May, 2024) TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 8, MAY 2024 The TOURISM COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting on 8, MAY 2024, at 301 w. Second St. in Austin, Texas. Chair, Daniel Ronan called the TOURISM COMMISSION Meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Commissioners Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Bishop Chappell, Stefani Mathis, Anna Panossian, Daniel Ronan, and John Riedie Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Rachel Magee Board Members/Commissioners Absence: Commissioners Aileen Bazan, Mike Cannatti, and Christian Tschoepe APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the TOURISM COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on APRIL 10, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 4/10/2024 were approved on Commissioner Panossian’s motion and Commissioner Chanon’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners John Riedie and Rachel Magee was off the dais and Commissioners Aileen Bazan, Mike Cannatti, and Christian Tschoepe were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda briefed the board on the important deadline for training requirements, and upcoming schedule changes for upcoming meetings. DISCUSSION ITEMS variety of items 3. Omar Lozano, Director of Music Marketing with Visit Austin, presented on Austin’s Music Ecosystem and Connections with Tourism. 1 TOURISM COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 4. Chip Adams, Director of Texas Music Office - Office of Governor Greg Abbott presented on the Music Economy in the State of Texas and its impact on Tourism. Will Bridges, Co-Owner of Antone’s Nightclub presented on the Music Economy from the vantage point of Austin Music Venues. 5. (8, May, 2024) WORKING GROUPS 6. Update from the Short-Term Rental Working Group on any new reports regarding the STRs recommendation and efforts with city council. Motion to adjourn the meeting by Commissioner Panossian and seconded by Commissioner Chanon. Chair Ronan adjourned the meeting at 4:32.m. with a 8-0 vote. The minutes were approved at the June 12, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Chanon’s motion, Commissioner Riedie’s second on a (7-0-1) vote. Commissioners Aileen Bazan, Ed Bailey, Greg Chanon, Stefani Mathis, John Riedie, Daniel Ronan, and Christian Tschoepe approved the vote. Commissioners Bishop Chappell and Anna Panossian were absent. Commissioner Mike Cannatti abstained. 2
1. REGULAR MEETING of the TOURISM COMMISSION BOARD April 10, 2024, at 2:30 pm City Hall Board & Commission Room 1101 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 March 13, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff briefing from Staff Liaison, Felicia Ojeda, regarding city clerk’s response to amount of recommendations per board, importance of Officer Elections, deadline for training requirements, and upcoming schedule changes for upcoming meetings. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 6. 7. Presentation by Neil Maris, General Manager of the Hot Luck Festival regarding the collaboration with the community and restaurant industry and how they are impacting and creating initiatives for tourism. Presentation by Katie Dorflinger, Brand Partnerships and Festival Producer, of C3 Presents regarding the Austin Food & Wine Festival and how this event engages with practitioners in the culinary industry of Austin creating tourism impact and initiatives. Presentation by Madison Gessner, Executive Director of the Central-South Texas Region, Texas Restaurant Association, regarding food and beverage and the culinary industry in Austin to present about different aspects of the industry and importance it creates for tourism impact and initiatives. Presentation by Cara Bertron, Program Manager of the Planning Department regarding the Equity-Based Preservation Plan and requesting the Tourism Commission Boards feedback on their recommendation to city council. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve a recommendation regarding the funding for Red River Cultural District, and other similar organizations like Zilker Theatre …
November 1-3, 2024 Last year’s lineup! 2 DAYS • 6,000 FANS • 20+ CHEF DEMOS • 60+ FEATURED RESTAURANTS DEMOGRAPHICS GENDER 28% MALE 72% FEMALE AGE 22% 21-34 35% 35-44 24% 45-54 15% 55-64 4% 65+ ANNUAL INCOME 4% < $75K 20% $75K-$149K 31% $150K-$249K 20% $250K-$499K 10% $500K+ 15% Prefer not to answer EDUCATION 2% High School 55% College 43% Masters / PhD DIGITAL DATA 308,948 Unique Views 200,118 Sessions 1:11 (min:sec) Avg. Session duration 1.99 Pages per session 398,986 Total Page Views 2,378 Around the Park Page Views 5,905 Partner Page Views 38K+ FACEBOOK LIKES 21K+ TWITTER FOLLOWERS 39K+ INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS MARKET SPREAD Local Austin Dallas Houston San Antonio Top States Texas Illinois Iowa California Oklahoma Missouri Kansas Source Data, Google Analytics 11/7/22 – 11/6/23 “There’s a fun, choose-your-own-adventure element to the festival that leads to varied experiences for different guests. Those inclined to catch a glimpse of the big-name chefs can spend some of their days in the seminar tents, while others simply opt to drink and graze on food samples for the day.” -EATER AUSTIN SIP & SAVOR Austin Food + Wine treats guests to culinary creations from Austin’s top restaurants, bites from nationally renowned pit masters and chefs, Master Sommelier-led wine tastings, cocktail classes and so much more. From Central Texas favorites to the country’s top-rated purveyors, awaken your palate with delectable bites! Create the perfect pair when you sip from a wide selection of spirits, wines, and brews among views of the extraordinary Austin skyline. SERVING GOOD VIBES Discover your new favorite cocktail or restaurant in our Grand Taste exhibition. If a smorgasbord of spirits and culinary exhibitors isn’t enough, we host more than 60 esteemed restaurants from across the state serving dishes that put them on the map. Chefs are hand-smoking and hand-serving feasts of the most mouthwatering eats you can imagine. DEMOS & SEMINARS In addition to sampling unique eats from the nation's top-rated talent, get some tips to earn that extra Michelin Star for your home kitchen with our Chef Demos! Then get bubbly at a Tasting Session and sample premier spirits, wines, and beers from across the globe while learning the distillation processes behind them. FIRE PIT Our Fire Pit features bites hot off the flames and the chance to interact with pitmasters and chefs cooking over live fire. Enjoy exceptional BBQ and other dishes cooked over open flame and …
TOURISM COMMISSION | APRIL 10, 2024 Austin History Center (C05767, PICA 24201, PICA 29995); Chen Chen Wu; City of Austin Plan Vision Historic preservation in Austin actively engages communities in protecting and sharing important places and stories. Preservation uses the past to create a shared sense of belonging and to shape an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and economically vital future for all. Joe’s Bakery, anonymous, Amy Moreland/ Austin’s Atlas Community-Based Process Historic Landmark Commission Michelle Benavides Ursula A. Carter Linda Y. Jackson Brenda Malik Emily Payne Gilbert Rivera 1 Brita Wallace* 1 Justin Bragiel 2 Mary Jo Galindo* Meghan King* Alyson McGee 1 Rocio Peña-Martinez* JuanRaymon Rubio 2 Bob Ward 1 Noel Bridges Jerry Garcia 1 Jolene Kiolbassa 1 Debra Murphy 2 Misael Ramos* Maria Solis* 1 Caroline Wright 1 *Drafting Committee member 1 Phase 1 only 2 Phase 2 only Julia Brookins* Ben Goudy 2 Kevin Koch Robin Orlowski 2 Mary Reed* 1 Erin Waelder Amalia Carmona 2 Hanna Huang* 1 Kelechi Madubuko Leslie Ornelas 1 Lori Renteria 1 Equity-Based Preservation Plan REVIEWING THE DRAFT Neal Douglass, Oct. 1949, ND-49-346-02, Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. Draft Plan Goals 1. Tell Austin’s full history 9. Proactively identify important places 2. Recognize cultural heritage 10. Follow good designation practices 3. Preserve archaeological resources 11. Support stewardship of community 4. Stabilize communities assets 5. Support environmental sustainability 12. Be strategic with review 6. Engage communities equitably 13. Protect historic resources 7. Support people doing the work 14. Implement the plan collaboratively 8. Engage new partners What We Preserve Parade and mural unveiling (The Austin Chronicle), San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation Think broadly. • Recognize Austin’s rich and complex history through active listening, inclusive research, and interpretation • Better recognize and protect legacy businesses, murals, and archaeological resources • Use preservation tools to support community stabilization and environmental sustainability Who Preserves Invite and support. • Help people access knowledge, resources, and decision-making power • Streamline and explain historic review and designation processes • Support craftspeople, commissioners, and staff • Engage new partners and audiences San Antonio Office of Historic Preservation, Bertha Rendon Delgado, Austin Asian American Film Festival How We Preserve Be strategic and effective. • Update designation criteria to reflect modern standards • Support the stewards of Austin’s historic properties • Be strategic with review • Improve enforcement processes • Implement the plan collaboratively Especially Relevant Recommendations • Create a cultural …
MAY 23RD-26TH, 2024 BENEFITING HOT LUCK FEST | AUSTIN, TEXAS 2 ABOUT Austin is home to Hot Luck, where groundbreaking and genre-bending chefs from across the country—both emerging and established—set the stage for a weekend of live food and music events in dramatic, unforgettable environments. Hot Luck is where industry friendships and relationships are forged, and original, astonishing food is served nightly by restaurant teams from across the country to guests from around the world. Hot Luck is a hungry love letter to the city of Austin, launched in 2017 in collaboration with world- class food, music, and cultural scenes and the brainchild of pitmaster and author Aaron Franklin; Guerilla Suit owner and man about town James Moody; and Feast Portland co-founder Mike Thelin. Hot Luck is proud to benefit the Southern Smoke Foundation. In the last six years, Hot Luck has welcomed some of the world’s coolest chefs, influential media and inspiring brands to Austin every Memorial Day weekend for four days of food, music and fun. We like to think of ourselves as the backyard BBQ of food and music festivals–a place where participants and guests are excited to gather and celebrate what they love most about the worlds of food and music in a city that celebrates creativity, originality and good times. See you at Hot Luck in 2024 HOT LUCK FEST | AUSTIN, TEXAS 5 HOT LUCK FEST | AUSTIN, TEXAS 3 2023 Attendance 2023 Miscellaneous 12,000 ENTERTAINED 56% MALE 70% TEXAN 44% FEMALE 74% 25-44 IN AGE 1,200 CINDER BLOCKS USED TO BUILD FIRE PITS 1,450 LBS. BUTTER 150,000 SMILES 15,760 CANS OF RAMBLER 5,500 TORTILLAS MADE ONSITE 2400 HAWAIIAN ROLLS 850 LBS. BISON 16 LBS. CAVIAR 2,000 CHICKEN WINGS 14 BEARD WINNERS 42 FRYERS 59 PLANCHAS 25,000+ HIGH FIVES 150+ VOLUNTEERS 1,300 EARS OF CORN 1,243 LOBSTER ROLLS 1 ROVING GREEN ROOM FOR CHEFS 175+ CULINARY STUDENTS HOT LUCK FEST | AUSTIN, TEXAS HOT LUCK FEST | AUSTIN, TEXAS 4 4 2023 Media SOCIAL MEDIA PAID MEDIA 2.2M+ ORGANIC IMPRESSIONS 3.1M+ PAID ADVERTISING EARNED MEDIA 494M IMPRESSIONS NEWSLETTER 57% OPEN RATE We look forward to this event every year! Aaron does such a great job of bringing the best to Austin. Great food, great music, and most of all, great people. We’re so honored that Aaron and the Hot Luck team has chosen Southern Smoke as its beneficiary, and we are so grateful for …
CITY OF AUSTIN TOURISM COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Recommendation Number: 20240410-007: This set of recommendations from the Tourism Commission identify improvements to the cultural arts funding programs that will support long- standing tourism destinations in Austin with histories of diversity, equity and inclusion. WHEREAS, City of Austin is recognized for its vibrant cultural arts scene and a diverse and creative community, with a decades-long history as the cultural and counter-cultural capital of Texas which enjoys the competing mantras of “'Keep Austin Weird” and the “Live Music Capital of the World”; and WHEREAS, on June 25, 2018, Austin City Council adopted ORDINANCE NO. 20180614-067, establishing the Tourism Commission “to provide expertise and recommendations to the city council concerning hotel occupancy tax revenue collected by the city and issues related to and that promote tourism” and to “advise the city council on … matters relating to the allocation, investment, and budgets for the hotel occupancy tax revenue”; and WHEREAS Texas Tax Code Chapter 351, Section 351.101 (a) states that “Revenue from the municipal hotel occupancy tax may be used only to promote tourism and the convention and hotel industry”; and WHEREAS, Austin’s tourism industry actively uses our cultural arts and live music events to promote tourism to Austin, as readily seen from Visit Austin’s website cultural events listings, including the Red River Cultural Arts District, the Zilker Theater Productions and other longstanding groups that support professional artistic jobs, generate tourism and serve audiences of both visitors and residents; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s cultural arts funding grant programs have made necessary changes in recent years to address historic inequities; and WHEREAS, these changes to cultural arts funding allocations do not fully account for a range of equitable considerations, such as the diversity of the audiences who enjoy the cultural arts programs or the artists who perform in the cultural arts programs, resulting in significant disruptions to long-standing cultural institutions in our community which have a demonstrated history of positive tourism impact, as well as diverse, inclusive and equitable curatorial, hiring and audience development practices; and WHEREAS, on February 15, 2024 City Council passed a resolution directing the City Manager to investigate ways to preserve accessible, inclusive, open‐to‐the‐public events and to identify opportunities for the City to support and promote community events which are completely free and open to the public, which would include events produced by Zilker Theater Productions, Austin Shakespeare and the …
