Unity Dinner 2009 was held February 12th at the Austin Hilton. Thank you to all who participated and helped to make the event a great success!



Schedule of Events
(Provided for reference only -- this event has already occurred.)
All events held at the Hilton Austin Hotel

WEDNESDAY, February 11th
Converge on the Capitol Agenda - 6th Fl, Salons J & K
Sponsored by TH&LA, TTIA, and TACVB

• 9:30 am - 10:30 am - Registration
• 10:30 am - 11:30 am - Briefing on Legislative Issues
• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Box Lunch On-the-Go
• 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm - Shuttle Bus Transportation to/from the Capitol

To sign up for the Converge on the Capitol, REGISTER HERE.  For questions, please contact Justin Bragiel at the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association at 512-474-2996 or jbragiel@texaslodging.com.

THURSDAY, February 12th
9:00 am - 7:00 pm
Unity Dinner Registration - 6th Fl Pre-function Area

9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Silent Auction Drop-Off - 6th Fl, Salon J Pre-function Area

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Texas Education Vacation/Marketing Committees Joint Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 403

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Texas Cultural & Heritage Tourism Council Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 406

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Trailways Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 401

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Industry Presentations - 4th Fl, Salons A & B
“Growing International Tourism in the U.S.”
Speaker: Bruce C. Bommarito, Executive VP and COO, U.S. Travel Association

"Update on Texas Tourism Programs"
By the Office of the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
TTIA Legislative Affairs Committee Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 400

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Texas Motor Coach Council Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 406
Guest Speaker: Steve McGraw, Director of Texas Homeland Security

5:00 pm - 7:15 pm
Silent Auction and Reception - 6th Fl Pre-function Area and Salons J & K

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Texas Tourism Unity Dinner - 6th Fl, Austin Grand Ballroom

• Presentation of the Colors by the Texas Buffalo Soldier Regiment
• Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge by Brad Wuest, Chair of TTIA; President of Natural Bridge Caverns
• Invocation
• First Lady's Texas Treasures Award, presented by First Lady Anita Perry
• Silver Spur Award, presented by David Dunham, Chair of TTIA Legislative Affairs Committee; Associate Publisher of TEXAS MONTHLY
  
• Comments by Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples
  
• Trailblazer Awards, presented by Paul L. Serff, President/CEO or TTIA
  

9:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Silent Auction Pickup - 6th Floor Salon J Pre-function Area

FRIDAY, February 13th
7:45 am - 9:00 am
Attractions Council Meeting - 4th Fl, Room 404

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Silent Auction Pickup - 4th Fl, Room 410

Technology Seminar  - 4th Fl, Salons D & E (no charge to attend)
Don't be left out in the cold!  Come and learn what's coming our way in the "Technology World."

* Also, CVB's can received 2 Texas Destination Marketing credits by attending this seminar!

9:00 am - 9:10 am   Welcome

9:10 am - 9:55 am   "Outlook on Becoming a Smarter Planet, More Interconnected and Intelligent"
Will focus on three technologies that will impact our world and three smaller ones that will impactthe travel industry.
Speaker: Raul A. Arce, Vice President, Travel & Transportation, IBM Corporation

9:55 am - 10:25 am  "Developing Customers with Technology Methods"
Will discuss methods of developing customers by connecting with them directly through their cell phones and other hand-held devices. He will share case studies with specific tactics and results that you can employ immediately after this learning session.
Speaker: Roell Vento, SouthTxt Mobile Marketing

10:25 am - 10:55 am  "Digital Marketing Ecology - Leveraging the Web to Find, Attract and Retain Customers in the Digital Age"
This topic will focus on how businesses can align their brand communications across multiple touch points to efficiently build and deepen customer relationships.
Speaker: Michael Grasso, former Leader of AT&T's Digital Technology Development

10:55 am - 11:25 am  "Integrated On-Line Strategies"

Will present the "integrated on-line strategies" that his agency's clients are employing in today’s environment. He will demonstrate step by step website construct trends, email, and on-line media integration that creates great customer connectivity and how customization of messaging delivers relevant offers that the consumer really wants.
Speaker: Steve Atkins, President, The Atkins Group

11:25 am - 11:30 am  Closing Remarks

Thank you to our 2009 Unity Dinner Sponsors!
Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau
Aloe Vera of America of Mission Inc.
Amarillo Convention & Visitor Council
American Airlines
Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau
Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau
Cameron Park Zoo
Coach America
Coca-Cola Enterprises
Colour Solutions
Dallas Cowboys Football Club
El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau
Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau
Hilton Austin Hotel
Meredith Travel Group
Natural Bridge Caverns
Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce
Odessa Convention & Visitors Bureau
Orbitz Worldwide
Plano Convention & Visitors Bureau
Ratliff Company
SeaWorld San Antonio
Southwest Airlines
Tony Lama Boots
Traders Village
Village of Salado
Visit Lubbock