April 2025: A Letter from Our CEO & President

Dear Members and Friends,

As we welcome the vibrancy of spring, we are reminded of the beauty and renewal that this time of year brings. Springtime in Texas is particularly special, with wildflowers in full bloom and a renewed sense of energy in our communities. The bluebonnets are already looking particularly beautiful!

We invite you to renew your professional energy by attending one of our upcoming events. The Texas Travel Expo is right around the corner on April 30 - May 1 in Waco, providing a fantastic opportunity to showcase your destinations and attractions. Additionally, Texas Travel College will take place in College Station June 23-27 and is packed with fantastic speakers and great information to help you on your way to attaining your CTE credential. And don't miss out on Texas Travel Summit in San Antonio, October 1 - 3. We encourage all members to register and participate in these impactful events to connect with industry peers and stay informed about the latest trends.

Please note, we have also issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2026-2028 Texas Travel Summit events. Bids are due by April 11, and we look forward to receiving your innovative proposals for this stellar industry event. This is a great opportunity to bring our premier conference to your community and showcase what your destination has to offer.

Last week, Amanda Garcia and I traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in U.S. Travel's Destination Capitol Hill event, advocating for Texas at the federal level. We participated in great conversations with our industry peers from across the U.S. and then had meetings with the Texas legislative delegation to talk about the importance and impact of travel and tourism to the U.S. economy and Texas. 

Our conversations are ongoing at the state level as well. With less than 50 days left in the Texas legislative session, things are now moving quickly at the Austin Capitol. We still have several important bills progressing, and your involvement is crucial. Over the next few weeks, we will be calling on you to help by writing letters to your legislators or we may ask you to travel to Austin to provide testimony in person. Your participation is vital to ensure that our industry's voice is heard and that we can continue to advocate effectively for the travel and tourism sector. Don't forget, you can receive our in-depth weekly legislative updates by making a contribution to the TravelPAC. 

Thank you for your continued support and dedication. Together, we are making a significant impact and continuing to elevate Texas as a premier travel destination.

Warm regards,