Visit Austin Foundation Events
The Visit Austin Foundation hosts several events in the community annually. Learn more about initiatives such as the Tourism and Hospitality Career Fair, Give Back Gig and more.
Interested in supporting these efforts? Contact our team for more information.
Upcoming Events
Visit Austin Foundation Executive Education Series
Multiple Dates, April - December, 2024 | Locations Vary
Visit Austin Foundation is collaborating with Texas McCombs Executive Education to offer a new leadership training series for the Austin hospitality community in 2024. Gain useful business knowledge, grow your leadership skills and network with peers in the local tourism and hospitality industry. Learn more about our upcoming sessions and sign up today.
Upcoming sessions include:
- August 29 | Advocacy with John Daly, Ph.D.
- December 5 | Executive Presence with Katie Pritchett, Ph.D.
Click here to view schedule and register
Austin Tourism Insider Training Program
Multiple Dates, January - December, 2024 | Visit Austin Offices
Looking for an opportunity to grow your knowledge of Austin? The Austin Tourism Insider (ATI) Program is designed to support Austin tourism and hospitality employees, corporate new hire onboarding, and Austin hospitality enthusiasts. The program will provide expert knowledge of Austin and its tourism assets, improve confidence in suggesting options for visitors and elevate their experience, reinvigorate passion for the industry and community, and foster deep-rooted connections with others and the city we proudly support.
Click here to view schedule and register
Recent Events
Local & Live at the Austin Visitor Center, benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation
Drop in to the Austin Visitor Center, Saturday, June 29th from 10am to 1:30pm, to enjoy free live music from Austin musician Aaron Stephens and shop Austin-themed art, apparel, home goods, accessories and more. This event is free and open to the public. Paid parking is available at the Austin Convention Center parking garage (Fourth Street & Red River). Street parking also available. A portion of proceeds will benefit scholarships, education and workforce development initiatives through the Visit Austin Foundation.
Give Back Gig
May 22, 2024 | Assembly Hall
In honor of National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW), the Visit Austin Foundation hosts the annual Give Back Gig, spotlighting Austin's hospitality community. NTTW is an opportunity for us to highlight both the economic and social impact of our industry. Give Back Gig celebrates Austin’s culinary industry, bringing together some of Austin’s hottest chefs with up-and-coming talent from the local Travis Early College High School culinary program for a unique tasting experience. Highlights include a special tasting menu, developed in collaboration with the chefs and students, specialty cocktails and beverages, live music and amazing raffle items. Proceeds from the 2024 event supported the Visit Austin Foundation and the Les Dames d’Escoffier - Austin Chapter.
Amplify Austin Hospitality Happy Hour
March 6, 2024 | Bar AC at The Otis Hotel Austin, Autograph Collection
The Visit Austin Foundation's annual Amplify Austin Hospitality Happy Hour is a great opportunity to network with peers, hear local live music, get to know other hospitality professionals, and help support our fundraising efforts for the Austin hospitality and tourism workforce. A portion of the proceeds from this event benefits scholarships and education programs provided by the Visit Austin Foundation.
Thanks FORE Giving Topgolf Tournament Benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation
November 16, 2023 | Topgolf
The Austin Sports Commission and Visit Austin Foundation team up to host the Thanks FORE Giving Topgolf Tournament each year. Attendees can show their appreciation to their staff, clients and community, all while having some fun and winning big prizes during the friendly Topgolf competition! Following the tournament, attendees enjoyed a fajita buffet, beverages and live music at the awards and networking reception. Proceeds benefited the Visit Austin Foundation and Austin Sports Commission.
Cheese Parables for Life & Work: A Tasting Experience with the Antonellis
August 3, 2023 | Renaissance Austin Hotel
The Visit Austin Foundation hosted a networking and educational tasting experience with Antonelli's Cheese Shop. Austin's own cheesemongers, Kendall and John Antonelli, guided attendees through a tasting of five cheeses paired with wine, other accompaniments and insightful conversation. Attendees also had a chance to experience spectacular, Hill Country views in the Glass Oaks Room at Renaissance Hotel Austin while mixing, mingling and networking with industry peers.
Give Back Gig
We partied for a cause, Austin-style at the 2023 Give Back Gig! In honor of National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW), the Austin Hospitality Community came together to give back. NTTW is an annual recognition of both the economic and social impact of our industry. The event supported hospitality industry workforce development initiatives through the Visit Austin Foundation as well as affordable healthcare for Austin’s low-income, working musicians through HAAM – Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Practical Actions to Solve Your Workforce Challenges | Webinar with Jason Dorsey
We had an incredibly positive response after our Visit Austin 2022 Annual Meeting keynote speaker, Jason Dorsey, rocked the event with his unexpected, practical (and hilarious) insights into what works for each generation in the workplace. Jason returned in April to deliver a one-time live web training for attendees, where he shared his brand-new insights and practical strategies (most of which cost zero dollars ) to drive recruiting, retention, training, and talent development, all brought to you by The Visit Austin Foundation.
Amplify Austin Hospitality Happy Hours
The Visit Austin Foundation hosted two Hospitality Happy Hours at Bar Peached and Austin Taco Project during Amplify Austin in March 2023. A portion of the proceeds benefitted scholarships and education programs provided by the Visit Austin Foundation. Plus, it was a great opportunity to network with peers, get to know other hospitality professionals and to help support our fundraising efforts for the Austin hospitality and tourism workforce during Amplify Austin Day!
Thanks to our great sponsors, Tito's Handmade Vodka, for supporting the Visit Austin Foundation and for matching a portion of donations during Amplify Austin. Music provided by local musician Miggy Milla, @miggymilla, and Jo James, @jojamesmusic.
Local & Live at the Austin Visitor Center, benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation
A twice-annual live music series at the Austin Visitor Center, hosted by the Visit Austin Foundation. Local & Live invites visitors and locals to experience free live music performances from Austin musicians and a curated pop-up shop with local makers, featuring a selection of art, Austin-themed apparel, home goods, accessories and more. A portion of proceeds benefits the Visit Austin Foundation.
Downtown Austin Front-of-House Clean-Up Day
As visitor's make their return to Austin, Visit Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance came together in May 2021 to refresh our city's "Front of House" to make sure Austin is guest-ready. Hundreds of volunteers came together for the inaugural hospitality industry ATX-FOH refresh – a morning of outdoor beautification projects throughout downtown and other hospitality hubs.
Antonelli's Cheese Tasting: Benefitting the Visit Austin Foundation
Our first fundraiser of the year was a virtual cheese tasting led by a cheesemonger from local favorite, Antonelli's. Attendees tasted their way through a curated selection of cheeses, pairings, charcuterie and chocolates all while showing some love for the Visit Austin Foundation.
Participants had the opportunity to make a donation to the Foundation during registration. 100% of donations go toward the Foundation's scholarship and workforce development programs. We thank you for your generosity, as we rely on support from partners like you to equip our local hospitality workforce and further advance our industry.
Understanding Save Our Stages: Shuttered Venue Grant Federal Relief Programwebin
Access the Webinar Recording & Presentation Materials
Learn about the Shuttered Venue Grant Program, more commonly known as Save Our Stages. We’ll review which types of businesses and organizations are eligible, how to calculate the potential amount of your grant and the priority of grant awards. We’ll also review what is currently known about the application process.
Embracing Change: Methods for Managing Responses and Remaining Focused
Access the Webinar Recording & Presentation Materials
Learn methods and techniques for managing responses and remaining focused during periods of unprecedented change. Brian Hogg, a Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach for the Leadership Foundry, will teach us how to refocus our energy, manage our emotional reaction and embrace the opportunities that change can bring. While we may not be able to control the outside influences on our life, the one area we can control is our response.
Tourism & Hospitality Career Fair
The Tourism & Hospitality Career Fair offers participants the opportunity to network and meet with employers seeking local talent from entry to executive level, representing over 2,600+ available positions.