State of the City: Mayor Watson's Address, Regional Issues Panel, and More
Posted on 10/18/2024 by Shannon Contreras
View photos from the eventWe had a sold-out crowd for our State of the City event, where Mayor Kirk Watson shared vital insights into Austin's achievements, opportunities, and economic landscape. Highlights included discussions on transportation, affordability, and public safety. Thank you to our board member Trey Salinas, who facilitated a panel on local issues featuring experts including Dr. Michael Webber (energy and water), Pamela Madere (public safety), and Jason Becker (local economic issues and the lending landscape). Their perspectives underscored the importance of local policies in shaping our community’s future.
Keynote Address: Austin Mayor Kirk Watson
Mayor Watson shared vital insights into Austin's achievements, opportunities, and economic landscape, hitting on highlights from 2024 including transportation and Project Connect, affordability, and public safety. "Austin is the only city in the country simultaneously embarking on two giant transportation projects with the potential for intermodal connectivity," Watson said. "That’s an amazing opportunity that we can’t squander."
Featured Panel - Local Issues
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Our panel members addressed key issues in Austin, focusing on lending practices, public safety, energy, and water concerns. Jason Becker discussed trends in the lending environment and local economic challenges, while Pamela Madere highlighted the importance of the new police contract and its impact on businesses. Dr. Michael Webber explored energy trends, the rising demand for AI technologies, and water sustainability in light of persistent droughts. Collaboratively, they also discussed ways to improve communication across sectors and engage the community in local policy decisions.
Presenting Sponsor
Program Sponsor
Corporate Sponsor
Supporting Sponsors
City of Austin - Austin Water Utility |
Garver |
Huitt-Zollars, Inc |
Lower Colorado River Authority |
Pivotal Partners
Foundation Partners
Corporate Partners
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