Dear Valued Partners,
San Antonio might not have brought home the championship, but the NBA Finals did bring tremendous energy to the city. From increased hotel occupancy and restaurant patronage to national media exposure and visitor spending, the Finals showcased our city as a premier destination for major sporting events, delivering world-class experiences. We look forward to welcoming many more playoff runs, championship moments, and unforgettable sporting events to San Antonio for years to come.
Here are some highlights from the month of June:
MPI World Education Congress (WEC) 2026 – San Antonio was proud to welcome thousands of meeting and event professionals from around the world for the Meeting Professionals International World Education Congress (MPI WEC) 2026. The conference showcased San Antonio's exceptional meetings infrastructure, hospitality offerings, and vibrant culture to one of the industry's most influential audiences. The event generated $3,735,408 in economic impact and supported 1,369 local jobs.
Named Among America's Best Conference Cities – San Antonio was recently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's top conference destinations, ranking 9th among the "30 Best Conference Cities in the U.S. for 2026-2027." This recognition reflects the city's continued investment in meetings infrastructure, exceptional hospitality, and ability to deliver memorable attendee experiences. It also reinforces what our industry partners already know: San Antonio is one of the most compelling and competitive destinations for meetings and conventions in the country. Learn more HERE.
Pride River Parade and Celebration – The 2026 Pride River Parade and Celebration welcomed more than 40,000 attendees to downtown San Antonio for a vibrant weekend of inclusion, community, and celebration. We were honored to welcome Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones as the Civic Grand Marshal and Adam A-Okay as the Honorary Grand Marshal, whose advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community helped make the event especially meaningful. Thank you to the River Walk Events team, community partners, sponsors, and participants who helped create a memorable celebration that reflected San Antonio's welcoming spirit.
Tourism Public Improvement District (TPID) Reauthorization – June marked the beginning of the TPID petition process, an important milestone in the district's reauthorization effort. The TPID has played a critical role in strengthening destination marketing efforts and supporting meetings and conventions throughout San Antonio. Looking ahead, City Council is expected to consider the TPID reauthorization in September, a significant step toward ensuring continued investment in the future success of our hospitality industry.
As we continue to celebrate summer, San Antonio is also commemorating a historic milestone, America's 250th birthday. Stars and Stripes San Antonio will bring the community together through patriotic festivities, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and a celebration of the values and traditions. I encourage you to visit the Visit San Antonio website to learn more about Fourth of July events and discover all the ways to celebrate Independence Day throughout our city.
With warm regards,
Mario J. Bass
President & CEO
Visit San Antonio