October 2025: A Letter from Our CEO & President

Dear TTA Members,

As the heat of summer starts to fade and we enter the final quarter of 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on the momentum we’ve built this year and look ahead to what’s next. The outlook for travel in Texas this Q4 remains strong, with seasonal events, cooler weather, and holiday festivities drawing visitors across the state. Our industry continues to show resilience and creativity, and we’re proud to be part of such a dynamic community.

A heartfelt thank you to all our members and sponsors who helped make the 40th Annual Texas Travel Summit in San Antonio earlier this month a tremendous success. Your energy, ideas, and support made this milestone event unforgettable. We were thrilled to celebrate excellence in our industry at the Awards Gala, where we honored:

• Jasmyne Harris, AJR Media Group – Rising Star Award
• Brad Wuest, Natural Bridge Caverns – Tall in Texas Award
• Paul Schultz, Landry’s Inc.  – Lifetime Achievement Award
• AJR Media Group – Heritage Award

We were also proud to welcome 19 students to Travel Summit this year, giving them the opportunity to connect with our members, learn about the industry, and explore careers in travel and tourism. Several students received scholarships during the conference, and we’ve shared photos from those special moments here. If you’d like to support these efforts, consider joining our Workforce Development Committee or our Speaker’s Bureau (Workforce Info - Members Only Page). And don’t forget: submit your internship opportunities and post your job openings on our TTA Career Center.

We also want to thank everyone who has participated in or sponsored our new podcast, “What I Like About Texas.” We’ll wrap up our inaugural year with a festive holiday episode dropping just before Thanksgiving. If your destination or attraction offers something fun and seasonal for fall or the holidays, we’d love to feature it! Please submit your holiday details by October 24.

Membership renewal invoices will be going out soon. Your continued support helps TTA advocate for our industry, grow member resources, and strengthen the network that keeps Texas travel thriving. Membership rates will remain unchanged for FY 2026 as part of our commitment to providing stability and value for our members.

As we head into the final stretch of the year, we’re energized by the passion and dedication of our members. Thank you for all you do to promote travel and tourism in Texas. Let’s keep the momentum going and finish 2025 strong - together.

Warm regards,