State of Education and Talent 2021

Celebrating the best in Central Texas education and talent

Thursday, October 28, 2021
Austin Marriott Downtown
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Check out the digital program

Join business, community, public and higher education leaders as we celebrate school and business partners developing future talent and preparing students for postsecondary and career success.

We’ll also engage state tri-agency leaders to discuss how we can further align education and labor market needs to deepen our talent pool and grow our workforce.

Featured Speakers
  • Nikki Graham

    Philanthropic Director
    Hector & Gloria Lopez Foundation

  • Néstor Ho

    Chief Legal Officer
    Silicon Labs

Featured Panel Discussion

2021 Award Recipients

  • Celebrating our community leadership award recipient, Geronimo Rodriguez

    We are ecstatic to recognize Geronimo's efforts to improve collaboration between health care and academia and for inspiring the next generation of Austin's workforce. He has been a tremendous partner for many years, and he has made a lasting impact on our community.

2021 Business Champion Award Recipients
  • A+ Federal Credit Union

    Nominated by Pflugerville ISD

  • Cedar Park Regional Medical Center

    Nominated by Leander ISD

  • IBM

    Nominated by Austin ISD

  • Ranger Excavating

    Nominated by Round Rock ISD

2021 District Award Recipients
Highest ApplyTexas Submission Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus

Ann Richards High School, AISD
Connally High School, PFISD
Pflugerville High School, PFISD

Highest ApplyTexas Submission Rate for School District

Hutto ISD
Pflugerville ISD

Highest FAFSA Submission Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus

Ann Richards High School, AISD
LASA HS, AISD
Pflugerville High School, PFISD

Highest FAFSA Submission Rate for School District

Pflugerville ISD

Highest Senior Survey Participation Rate by Enrollment for a High School Campus

Ann Richards High School, AISD
LASA HS, AISD
Westwood HS, RRISD

Highest College Readiness Rate for a School District

Leander ISD

Greatest Improvement in Direct-to-College Enrollment for a High School Campus

Bowie High School, AISD
Crockett High School, AISD
LBJ High School, AISD
McNeil High School, RRISD
Stony Point High School, RRISD

Highest Overall Direct-to-College Enrollment for a High School Campus

Ann Richards High School, AISD

Greatest Improvement in Direct-to-College Enrollment for a School District

Round Rock ISD

Safety Protocols

The Austin Chamber is committed to protecting the safety of our members, our guests, our staff, and their families, and we will be utilizing an online screening process to ensure our events are as safe as possible.

In addition to requiring masks when not actively eating or drinking, we will ask attendees to either verify vaccine status or provide proof of negative COVID-19 test. Those who verify that they’ve been vaccinated will not be required to provide proof of a negative test.

Prior to attending any Chamber event, please install the ReturnSafe app using the instructions below. This will enable you to verify your vaccination or negative test status prior to the event. We will also ask you to verify your health status the day of the event to get your green check ✅ and be cleared to enter the event.

Download the app for Android or iPhone and enter our workspace:

  • Android users: Install the ReturnSafe app from the Google Play Store
  • iPhone users: Install the ReturnSafe app from the Apple App Store
  • Open the app, click “Find My ReturnSafe Space” and enter the following Workspace code: austinchamber

Login using your name, email address, and mobile phone number.

If you are unable to install the ReturnSafe app, you may use the desktop/kiosk version. We will have kiosks at the event to allow you to verify your health status as well.

To avoid long wait times, please complete the ReturnSafe protocols prior to arriving at the event.

PRESENTING SPONSOR
AWARD SPONSOR
RECEPTION SPONSOR
CORPORATE SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
A+ Federal Credit Union
Amazon
Home Depot Austin Technology Center
Texas Mutual Insurance Company
PIVOTAL PARTNERS
FOUNDATION PARTNERS
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Terms & Conditions

Please contact Sponsor@austinchamber.com for table reservations or sponsorship opportunities.

Cancellation Policy
The Austin Chamber of Commerce must maintain a cancellation policy for events in order to properly plan for catering, venue expenses, and marketing efforts. Unless stated otherwise, Chamber reservations must be canceled 5 business days prior to the event to be eligible for a refund. All refunds will be issued 10 days after the event. No refunds will be issued for nonattendance. You are welcome to send another member of your staff in your place.