Texas Event Summit

Texas Event Summit Texas Event Summit is a new industry conference bringing together event professionals from across Texas for education, networking, and collaboration.

09/02/2026

Opening Day of the first-ever Texas Event Summit! ⭐️

Before the speakers hit the stages and Summit Day officially began, we kicked things off by doing what this industry does best—bringing people together. Hilton Palacio del Rio

🤝 San Antonio Industry Connect brought local industry organizations, chapters, event professionals, hospitality leaders, vendors, and creatives together under one roof to network, make new connections, and strengthen our San Antonio event community.

Then we took the experience downtown for A Texas Night at the Museum at the Briscoe Western Art Museum. 🤠✨

Guests explored the museum while experiencing unique entertainment and interactive activations throughout the property—turning a traditional kickoff party into an experience that was unmistakably Texas.

From networking ➡️ connections ➡️ experiences ➡️ celebration…

That was only Day One. 🔥

If you missed it, here’s a look back at some of the moments that kicked off Texas Event Summit 2026!

🎥 Highlights brought to you by Aria Productions

A huge thank you to all of the organizations, partners, vendors, sponsors, and attendees who helped us launch the inaugural Texas Event Summit.

And we’re only getting started. 2027 👀⭐️

BriscoeMuseum EventProfessionals EventIndustry HospitalityIndustry SanAntonioNetworking EventProduction CorporateEvents LiveEvents VisitSanAntonio

08/20/2026

We took a shot in the dark… and created something that had never been done before. ⭐️ VEGAs Event Group in San Antonio Texas

The first-ever Texas Event Summit started as a small idea.

Then the idea got bigger. And bigger. And maybe a little crazy. 😂

But that’s what happens when you have a vision and decide to go for it.

What came together was more than a conference. It was days filled with national speakers, local industry leaders, panel discussions, education, networking, immersive experiences, activations, entertainment, parties, and conversations about the future of our industry and San Antonio.

This recap captures only a piece of what happened—from interviews and testimonials to the people, experiences, and moments that brought the inaugural Texas Event Summit 2026 to life.

And none of it happens without PEOPLE.

A huge THANK YOU to every speaker, panelist, moderator, sponsor, vendor, venue partner, production crew member, volunteer, attendee, and supporter who believed in this crazy idea enough to be part of year one. ❤️

Was everything perfect? Nope.

Did we learn a LOT? Absolutely.

But that’s what the first year is about. You take the risk. You build it. You learn. You improve. And then you come back bigger and better.

Texas Event Summit officially has a Year One. ⭐️

Now… just wait until you see what we’re working on for 2027. 👀

This is only the beginning.

SanAntonioEvents SanAntonio HospitalityIndustry MeetingProfessionals LiveEvents EventProduction EventProfs TexasEventProfessionals

HOW SAN ANTONIO WINS. ⭐️The Texas Event Summit wasn’t only about bringing national speakers to San Antonio. An important...
08/13/2026

HOW SAN ANTONIO WINS. ⭐️

The Texas Event Summit wasn’t only about bringing national speakers to San Antonio. An important part of the vision was creating space for local conversations with the people helping shape the future of our city.

On the Featured Stage, “How San Antonio Wins” brought together local leaders for a conversation about collaboration, growth, tourism, events, and what it takes for San Antonio to continue competing and winning as a destination.

Led by Todd Zint, the conversation featured:

🎤 Brandi Morehouse - the ce group, inc.
🎤 Janine Ortega – Visit San Antonio
🎤 Brian Dickson - Hilton Palacio del Rio
🎤 Sarah Walker – Sara Walker Events LLC

These are the conversations we wanted the Texas Event Summit to create—bringing different sides of our industry together, sharing perspectives, asking important questions, and looking at how we can become stronger together.

Because growing San Antonio’s event industry isn’t about one company, one organization, or one sector.

It takes all of us. 🤝

And this was only one of several local conversations that happened throughout the inaugural Texas Event Summit 2026.

More recaps coming as we continue highlighting the people, ideas, and conversations that made our first year possible. ⭐️

EventIndustry HospitalityIndustry EventProfessionals SanAntonioBusiness MeetingsAndEvents EventProfs SanAntonioTexas

The conversations got even deeper as the afternoon unfolded at the inaugural Texas Event Summit 2026. 🎤⭐The afternoon Ma...
07/31/2026

The conversations got even deeper as the afternoon unfolded at the inaugural Texas Event Summit 2026. 🎤⭐

The afternoon Main Stage sessions challenged attendees to think differently, lead with confidence, and prepare for the future of our industry.

🚀 Matt Radicelli kicked things off by exploring how AI and emerging technology are reshaping the way event professionals work, innovate, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing world.

🎙️ Rachel Druckenmiller delivered an incredibly powerful session, “UNMUTED: Unleash Clarity, Confidence & Contribution to Amplify Your Impact.” She reminded us that our greatest obstacle often isn’t a lack of talent—it’s fear, self-doubt, and waiting for permission. Through her VOICE Method, Rachel inspired attendees to own their strengths, silence perfectionism, and confidently share the value only they can bring.

🌆 One of the day’s most anticipated conversations followed with our Main Stage panel:
“San Antonio 2028 & Beyond: The Future of Events, Tourism & Destination Growth.”

A huge thank you to our incredible panelists:
⭐ Sarah James (Moderator)
⭐ Trish DeBerry
⭐ Chaitan Mugili
⭐ Elena Wells
⭐ Dave Krupinski

The discussion focused on the future of San Antonio, major developments on the horizon, tourism growth, conventions, and how our city can continue becoming a premier destination for meetings and events.

✨ We closed the inaugural summit with an inspiring keynote from David Merrell, “Live Event Trends in 2026: Designing Experiences for a Rapidly Changing World.” David challenged us to think beyond trends and focus on creating experiences rooted in purpose, authenticity, personalization, and adaptability. His message was a powerful reminder that the future belongs to those willing to evolve with their audiences.

What an unforgettable way to close our first-ever summit.

This is just another chapter of the story—we’ve got more speaker recaps, behind-the-scenes moments, and highlights coming soon!

HospitalityIndustry Tourism Leadership AI Innovation FutureOfEvents SanAntonio DestinationMarketing VEGAsEventGroup

🎤✨ The doors opened, the lights came up, and the inaugural Texas Event Summit was officially underway.Tuesday morning se...
07/29/2026

🎤✨ The doors opened, the lights came up, and the inaugural Texas Event Summit was officially underway.

Tuesday morning set the tone for an unforgettable day of learning, innovation, and connection.

Our Main Stage welcomed attendees from across the event industry as they heard from an incredible lineup of national speakers, including:

⭐ Rich Bracken Rich Bracken
⭐ Alan Berg, CSP Alan Berg, CSP, FPSA, Global Speaking Fellow
⭐ Christie Osborne Mountainside Media

Each session delivered fresh ideas, practical strategies, and inspiration that attendees could immediately take back to their businesses.

A special thank you to our host, Danielle Gertner, who brought incredible energy, professionalism, and personality to the stage. From welcoming attendees to introducing speakers and keeping the day flowing seamlessly, Danielle helped create an engaging experience from the very first session to the last.

This was only the beginning.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing individual spotlights on each speaker, panel discussion, and behind-the-scenes moment that made the inaugural Texas Event Summit such a memorable experience.

Stay tuned… there’s so much more to come. 🤠

📸 Boardroom Photography | San Antonio Corporate Photo + Video

CorporateEvents BusinessGrowth Leadership ProfessionalDevelopment AlanBerg ChristieOsborne RichBracken DanielleGertner VEGAsEventGroup SanAntonioEvents MeetingProfessionals

OFFICIAL PRINT & SIGNAGE PARTNERSubheadlinePowering the Visual Experience of Texas Event Summit 2026Feature Icons* 🖨️ Ev...
07/20/2026

OFFICIAL PRINT & SIGNAGE PARTNER

Subheadline
Powering the Visual Experience of Texas Event Summit 2026

Feature Icons

* 🖨️ Event Signage
* 📍 Wayfinding
* 🎪 Expo Graphics
* 🎤 Stage Signage
* ⭐ Sponsor Displays
* 📋 Printed Event Materials

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Texas Event Summit logo
July 20–21, 2026
Hilton Palacio del Rio • San Antonio, Texas

✨ Speaker Announcement ✨San Antonio is built on collaboration—and we’re excited to welcome Sara Stumberg Walker, Founder...
07/19/2026

✨ Speaker Announcement ✨

San Antonio is built on collaboration—and we’re excited to welcome Sara Stumberg Walker, Founder & Creative Director of Sara Walker Private Events, to the Texas Event Summit! 👏

Sara will be joining our panel:

🤝 How San Antonio Wins: DMCs, Hotels, Attractions, and Planners Working Together

As an 8th-generation San Antonian, Sara has spent more than 20 years creating unforgettable experiences that celebrate our city while helping nonprofits, businesses, and organizations make a lasting impact.

🏆 Five-time ILEA Esprit Award recipient
🏆 2026 ILEA Esprit Award Finalist
🏆 Multiple ILEA San Antonio Antonian Award winner

From luxury celebrations to multi-million-dollar fundraising galas, Sara understands what it takes to create events that inspire, connect, and strengthen our community.

During this conversation, she’ll share how collaboration between planners, hotels, DMCs, attractions, and venues continues to drive San Antonio’s success as one of Texas’ premier destinations for meetings and events.

If you’re passionate about the future of the events industry, this is a session you won’t want to miss!

📍 Texas Event Summit
🗓️ July 21, 2026
📍 Hilton Palacio del Rio | San Antonio, TX

🎟️ Tickets & Full Agenda:
www.TexasEventSummit.com

Help us give Sara Stumberg Walker a warm Texas welcome! ❤️🤠

EventPlanner LiveEvents Tourism DMC CorporateEvents NonprofitEvents Fundraising ILEA SanAntonioEvents VisitSanAntonio TexasEvents Collaboration WomenInBusiness Leadership

🎢 BIG NEWS! Another incredible leader is joining the Texas Event Summit speaker lineup! Catherine Lorenzo Please help us...
07/19/2026

🎢 BIG NEWS! Another incredible leader is joining the Texas Event Summit speaker lineup! Catherine Lorenzo

Please help us welcome Catherine “Cat” Lorenzo, President of Morgan’s Wonderland, to the Texas Event Summit! 👏

With more than 30 years in the attractions industry, Cat has dedicated her career to creating exceptional guest experiences and leading world-class operations. Today, she leads one of San Antonio’s most inspiring destinations—Morgan’s Wonderland—where inclusion, innovation, and unforgettable experiences come together every day. AnnouncingParkPresidentCatLorenzo_NewsRelease_1.28.26.docx

Cat will be joining our panel:

🎤 Beyond the Ballroom: Public Events, Attractions, and Tourism Drivers Fueling San Antonio

This conversation will explore how attractions, museums, public events, festivals, and tourism experiences fuel our local economy, attract visitors from around the world, and create opportunities for hotels, venues, planners, suppliers, and businesses across our city.

If you’re an event professional, this is a discussion you won’t want to miss.

📍 Hilton Palacio del Rio | San Antonio, TX
📅 July 20–21, 2026

We’re proud to bring together the leaders shaping the future of events, tourism, and hospitality across Texas.

🎟️ Tickets available at TexasEventSummit.com

Who else is excited to hear Cat’s perspective? 👇

Tourism GuestExperience MeetingProfessionals DestinationMarketing LiveEvents TexasEvents Leadership EventIndustry VisitSanAntonio

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200 South Alamo Street
San Antonio, TX
78205

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(210)5277840

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