Visit Austin Foundation

As SXSW comes to a close, we want to highlight the incredible impact this festival has on our city—especially on our hospitality industry. (Stats from SXSW 2024): ?? Total Economic Impact: $377.3 million through a combination of attendance, operational, and partner contributions. ?? 44,931 individual hotel room nights ??? 10,463 hotel reservations booked ?? $2.3 million in hotel occupancy tax revenue from direct bookings For the full report, click here: https://bit.ly/3FwGNDx SXSW has long been one of the busiest and most impactful weeks for our industry. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to every hospitality worker who helps create an unforgettable visitor experience. Your dedication makes this event possible—thank you! How has SXSW impacted your business this year? Share your experience in the comments! ?? #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #SXSW #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers #VisitAustin

? Board Member Spotlight ? ? Join us in celebrating one of our amazing board members, Michelle Costanzo CHT, MHM! Introduced to the hospitality industry at an early age by her chef father, Michelle found her passion and went on to pursue a hospitality degree and work in a variety of hotel operations roles. She moved to Austin in 2010 and has since dedicated nearly 15 years to Austin Community College, where she currently serves as an Associate Dean and a Professor of Hospitality. ?? ? Michelle has been an essential part of the Foundation’s workforce development efforts, serving as the facilitator for our Austin Tourism Insider (ATI) program. Her passion for Austin and the hospitality industry shines through—not only in her deep knowledge of the city but also in the energy and authenticity she brings to every session. ATI participants admire her genuine approach, which sets a great example of the qualities that make our industry thrive. ?? ? ?? Michelle shares: "I believe the Visit Austin Foundation shapes the culture of our city and our industry. We create opportunities for networking that build community while also enhancing the skills of anyone in or interested in the tourism industry. We provide ways for our community to love Austin as much as we do!" ?? ? Outside of work, Michelle loves spending Sundays outdoors with her two kids—taking a walk around the lake or kayaking, followed by a stop at JuiceLand for a refreshment, dinner at The Peached Tortilla, and a show at The Paramount Theatre. To learn more about the Visit Austin Foundation, please visit https://bit.ly/4hucZVZ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers #VisitAustin?

Join Us for the Local & Live Music Series!???? During SXSW, Visit Austin is celebrating the recent opening of our beautiful new Austin Visitor Center with a showcase of incredible local musicians!?? The Local & Live Music Series is a free event that kicked off Monday and runs through Friday, March 14. Bring your family and friends and celebrate Austin the Live Music Capital of the World! ?????? ?? Dates: Monday, March 10 – Friday, March 14? ? Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM? ?? Location: 103 E. 5th Street?? Check out the lineup below! ????

Executive Education Series Feature! ?? Last December, the Visit Austin Foundation in partnership with Texas Executive Education had the honor of hosting Katie Pritchett, Ph.D. for an insightful session on Executive Presence through her signature Keynote Labs workshop, "Sharpening Your KPIs in Communication." Using the KPI Framework, Dr. Pritchett shared key strategies to elevate communication in hospitality: ? K: Know Your Outcome ?? Different goals require different approaches. Communicating service standards needs a different tone than addressing guest complaints. Be crystal clear on what you need to achieve before you speak. ? P: Prepare Your Message ?? Follow the "Platinum Rule": Treat others how THEY want to be treated, not how YOU want to be treated. Understanding your audience's preferences is key to effective communication. ? I: Impact Through Connection ?? In hospitality, every interaction is an opportunity to create a memorable experience. Focus on building genuine rapport, whether with guests or team members, to drive lasting positive change. FINAL TAKEAWAY: Ultimately, to learn that intentional communication creates a powerful ripple effect in hospitality. When we communicate with clear purpose, teams work more confidently, guests feel genuinely valued, and properties elevate from providing basic service to delivering exceptional experiences. Check out a few highlights from the workshop here: https://bit.ly/43D1fMV ?? Stay tuned, 2025 session dates coming soon! Thank you to our presenting sponsor Greenberg Traurig, LLP. And a special thank you to the W Austin for hosting an amazing reception in their wonderful venue. #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers

Thanks to each of you who personally donated or attended Visit Austin Foundation's Hospitality Happy Hour at La Condesa during I Live Here I Give Here Amplify Austin 2025. It was wonderful to see everyone networking and building new connections, all while helping to raise additional funds to support Austin’s hospitality and tourism workforce and equip local youth who aspire to be our future industry leaders. With your help, we will continue to expand both youth and workforce-based scholarships, mentorship, education and job training opportunities. Special thanks to La Condesa, New Waterloo, Delta Air Lines and BoothEasy Photo Booth Company for their support throughout the event. We're looking forward to more great things ahead for the Austin hospitality community! ?#VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AmplifyAustinDay #ILiveHereIGiveHere?

Join us for Austin Tourism Insider (ATI) in 2025! ?? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Hosted in bi-monthly sessions by our wonderful Foundation board member and Austin Community College Assistant Dean, Michelle Costanzo CHT, MHM, this program is designed to support: ? Austin tourism and hospitality employees ? Corporate new hire onboarding ? Austin hospitality enthusiasts ATI provides expert knowledge of Austin and its tourism industry, with the goal to: ? Improve confidence in suggesting options for visitors and elevate their experience ? Reinvigorate passion for the industry and community ? Foster deep-rooted connections with others and the city we proudly support If your company is looking for a more personalized program, we also offer private sessions! Over the past couple of weeks, we had the wonderful opportunity to host two private sessions for 60 dedicated staff members at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). ???? ?? Ramonika Carr, Airport Guest Services Officer, provided her thoughts after the sessions: "What an outstanding experience Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s Guest Services had with the Austin Tourism Insider Training Program! Our Guest Services management had the desire to invest in the development of our staff, but we needed assistance. The program not only provided knowledge about Austin but also reignited our passion for the industry, fostered community connections, and strengthened ties with the city. I remember saying to myself, that is exactly what my team needs! The Visit Austin Foundation ensured that we had a knowledgeable instructor, and after a couple of planning meetings, Michelle was able to develop a customized hospitality training course for our Guest Services staff within our specific aviation industry. The training aligned with our airport’s vision and our Guest Services goals.?A memorable highlight was seeing staff engage with specific airport interactive content that focused on customer experience. I would absolutely recommend meeting with the Visit Austin Foundation to explore your options when it comes to the development of your staff." ?? To learn more about ATI, please visit: https://bit.ly/41xHnJG #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers

We are excited to announce James Crow III as our new spring intern for Strategic Alliances and the Visit Austin Foundation! ?? James is a senior at The University of Texas at Austin and will be graduating in May with an advertising degree and a business minor. Visit Austin is proud to support and develop the next generation of industry professionals through hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities. Everyone, please join us in welcoming James to the team! ?? #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers

?? Celebrating National Hospitality Workers Day! (2/23)?? One of the core principles of the Visit Austin Foundation is to celebrate our industry! Today, we recognize all the incredible individuals who make the hospitality and tourism industry thrive. From the front desk associates to the chefs, servers, event planners, and everyone in between—your dedication, warmth, and hard work are just a few of the qualities that make you the heart of our industry. Let’s take a moment to thank and celebrate these extraordinary workers who go above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences in our community. ?? Tag a hospitality worker or business to show your appreciation! ?? #NationalHospitalityWorkersDay #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry

? Board Member Spotlight ? The Visit Austin Foundation is thrilled to kick off our new spotlight series by celebrating our Board Chair, Rob Gillette. Rob brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our board. With nearly 20 years as General Manager of the Renaissance Austin Hotel and over 4 decades in the hospitality and tourism industry, he is a driving force in shaping Austin’s hospitality landscape. His expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our local hospitality community. Under Rob’s leadership, the Renaissance Austin Hotel has earned recognition as No. 1 Place to Work in Austin by the Austin Business Journal. The award-winning hotel is passionate about developing the next generation of hospitality difference-makers for Austin to make a lasting impact on the industry. ?? When asked about the future of Austin’s hospitality industry, Rob shared: “Tourism touches every part of our city, and when we come together, we all thrive. We must care for every visitor, appreciate their trust, and ensure they feel the true spirit of Austin. If ever there was a time to elevate service, that time is now. The habits we build today should reflect the future we aspire to create. As Austinites, we are destined to accomplish extraordinary things—together.” To learn more about the Visit Austin Foundation, visit https://bit.ly/4hucZVZ #VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers #VisitAustin

Led by the amazing educators Jayma Vaughan, Brooklyn Nutt and Jill Wolfington (Bradley), 9th and 10th grade students from Travis Early College High School took an exciting field trip last January to Hilton Austin to learn more about the hospitality industry. The morning was filled with inspiring stories shared by a diverse group of hospitality leaders, including Hilton Austin General Manager Joe Bolash, who also serves as an integral part of our Visit Austin Foundation's board. This enriching experience was capped off with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Hilton facilities and a visit to the Austin Visitor Center.? A big thank you to Bea Jaramillo for putting together this wonderful event, as well as Hilton Austin for hosting and giving this group of students a firsthand look at all the amazing opportunities our industry has to offer!?? ?#VisitAustinFoundation #HospitalityIndustry #CareerDevelopment #AustinCommunity #WorkforceDevelopment #HospitalityCareers?