Visit Austin Foundation Events
The Visit Austin Foundation hosts several events in the community annually. Learn more about initiatives such as the Austin Tourism Insider Training Program, Local & Live Music Series, Give Back Gig and more.
Interested in supporting these efforts? Contact our team for more information.
Upcoming Events
Give Back Gig
May 7, 2025 | 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 2025 event support the Visit Austin Foundation.
Austin Tourism Insider Training Program
February - December 2025 | 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.
Find the full schedule & register here
Visit Austin Foundation Executive Education Series
Multiple Dates | Locations Vary
Visit Austin Foundation is collaborating with Texas McCombs Executive Education to offer a new leadership training series for the Austin hospitality community. 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.
2025 schedule to be announced soon!
Recent Events
Thanks FORE Giving Topgolf Tournament Benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation
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.
Local & Live at the Austin Visitor Center, benefiting the Visit Austin Foundation
Drop in to the Austin Visitor Center on select dates to enjoy free live music from local Austin musicians and shop Austin-themed art, apparel, home goods, accessories and more. Local & Live is free and open to the public. Paid parking is available at the Austin Convention Center parking garage (Fourth Street & Red River); street parking is also available. A portion of proceeds benefits scholarships, education and workforce development initiatives through the Visit Austin Foundation.
Amplify Austin Hospitality Happy Hour
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.
Hospitality Networking Events
The Visit Austin Foundation hosts networking events for the Austin hospitality industry, including this educational tasting experience with Antonelli's Cheese Shop. Austin 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 local hotels and venues while mixing, mingling and networking with industry peers.
Downtown Austin Front-of-House Clean-Up Day
Visit Austin and Downtown Austin Alliance came together to refresh Austin's "Front of House" and to make sure Austin is guest-ready. Hundreds of volunteers came together for the inaugural hospitality industry Front of House event – a morning of outdoor beautification projects throughout downtown and other hospitality hubs.
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.
Practical Actions to Solve Your Workforce Challenges | Webinar with Jason Dorsey
2022 Annual Meeting keynote speaker Jason Dorsey returned 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.
Virtual Antonelli's Cheese Tasting, Benefitting the Visit Austin Foundation
The Visit Austin Foundation hosted 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. 100% of donations went to the Foundation's scholarship and workforce development programs.
Understanding Save Our Stages: Shuttered Venue Grant Federal Relief Program
This webinar offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the Shuttered Venue Grant Program related to COVID-19, more commonly known as Save Our Stages. We reviewed which types of businesses and organizations were eligible, how to calculate the potential amount of your grant and the priority of grant awards.
Embracing Change: Methods for Managing Responses and Remaining Focused
Access the Webinar Recording & Presentation Materials
Featuring Brian Hogg, a Leadership Development Consultant and Executive Coach for the Leadership Foundry, this webinar taught attendees methods and techniques for managing responses and remaining focused during periods of unprecedented change. Attendees learned how to refocus their energy, manage emotional reaction and embrace the opportunities that change can bring.