Agenda | Speakers | Testimonials | Sponsors | Sponsorship Opportunities
Program Agenda
Session I: Icons and Issues
Friday, October 10, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (optional refreshments afterwards)
Experience the people and issues making news and the trends shaping our future. We’ll dive in to this exciting day with an overview of Central Texas’s demographic and growth trends and an introduction to regional issues relating to the economy and environment. A guided tour of Austin’s City Hall, designed by internationally award-winning architect, Antoine Predock, will highlight the architectural elements of the building and feature a new installation of art by local artists. Then, you’ll join three long-time Austinites on a bus tour as they provide first-hand perspectives on the area’s unique natural resources, institutions, history, and culture. The day will be punctuated with lunch at a delightful venue overlooking Town Lake, and end with refreshments and a chance to get to know each other.
Session II: Innovations and Economic Trends - The Sky’s the Limit
Tuesday, October 14, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
National Instruments will host this session as we explore the economic context for Greater Austin by discussing what’s driving the regional economy, what Central Texas leaders are doing to keep the economy strong, and the important economic trends for the future. We’ll then delve into the region’s role in the global economy, how transportation, the labor force and our built environment effect economic development, and the economic development initiatives that are underway to set the economic agenda in Central Texas for next 20 years.
Austin City Council Chambers
Session III: Leadership and Education - Keys to the Region’s Future
Tuesday, October 21, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
The University of Texas is the location of tonight’s session, focusing on the "big picture" for education in the Greater Austin area, with an explanation of the "achievement gap" and its implications, a challenge to think about education as a regional issue, an update on funding for education, and highlights of promising local initiatives to achieve excellence in education. We’ll get an insight into "the state of education" in Greater Austin, highlighting the interrelationship among education, the economy, and quality of life for the region.
Session IV: Quality of Life - The Spirit of the Region
Tuesday, October 28, 4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Now it’s on to exploring the culture of Austin and what makes our city unique. For our final evening we will gather at the Headliners Club to delve into the qualities of Austin that attracted many of us and continue to keep us here. We will have a chance to discuss the challenges facing Austin as it strives to keep its uniqueness while growing from a sleepy college town into a much larger city. Highlights will include a look at what’s happening at the Long Center and what it means for Austin, as well as performances from some of the city’s most talented artists.