Dear Valued Partners,
We have officially begun a new fiscal year. Thank you for your continued support throughout FY2025 and for helping ensure San Antonio remains a premier travel destination. We now enter FY2026 with renewed energy and momentum, following the official ratification of the Visit San Antonio budget at the December 23rd Board Meeting. I am especially grateful to all the team members who played a role in shaping and advancing this budget, laying the foundation for another year of growth for our city and our industry.
Here are some highlights from the previous month.
TSAE New Ideas Conference – San Antonio hosted the Texas Society of Association Executives New Ideas Conference from September 7 to 9. The conference showcased San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage and Fiesta spirit to over 500 attendees representing associations from across Texas. Every detail offered an engaging, thought-provoking, and innovative experience for attendees to share with their respective association, igniting transformative ideas to shape the future of the industries and disciplines they serve.
Atlanta Food and Wine Festival – Visit San Antonio attended the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival from September 11 to 14, in partnership with Travel Texas. Local chefs Nicola Blaque and Leo Davila represented the city well, serving delicious bites throughout the entire festival weekend. Visit San Antonio team members met with just over a dozen Atlanta media and content creators whose platforms focus on family fun, cultural travel, luxury and culinary. This was the first time San Antonio’s culinary scene was represented at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.
Cyber Fiesta Member Mixer – Visit San Antonio members and partners came together to celebrate a fiscal year of collaboration and connection. The Cyber Member Mixer was held at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, and featured the following sponsored members:
Apex Studios Photography LLC
Boeing Center at Tech Port
Bright Event Rentals
MBP Photo Booth
VEGAs Event Group
Visit San Antonio Industry Mixer – San Antonio’s tourism and hospitality industry leaders and professionals gathered for an evening of camaraderie and connection. With about 50 attendees, including Visit San Antonio Board of Directors, the Tourism Public Improvement District Board, and leaders from the Texas Restaurant Association, the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association and the San Antonio Visitor Alliance, the evening created space to strengthen relationships and align on the opportunities ahead. What stood out the most was the genuine spirit of partnership in the room, a reminder of how powerful we are when we come together as one industry.
October marks the start of fall festivals in San Antonio. From Day of the Dead and Diwali, two of the largest cultural celebrations in the country, to the Ford Holiday River Parade following Thanksgiving, this is an exciting time of year for our city. To learn about all the fall festivities around town, including the Day of the Dead River Parade and Tradition Trail, as well as the new Calaverita Run 5K & Family Walk, go to visitsanantonio.com.
Lastly, a friendly reminder to register for the Visit San Antonio Annual Meeting. The registration link is available below.
With warm regards,
Mario Bass
President & CEO
Visit San Antonio
