Issues Over Lunch: Infrastructure in Motion
Schedule
Mon Jan 26 2026 at 11:30 am to 01:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
Hilton Austin | Austin, TX
About this Event
Downtown Austin is entering a pivotal era of economic transformation, fueled by major infrastructure and mobility investments that will define the city’s growth for generations. This session will offer stakeholders timely insights into transformative projects—including the Austin Convention Center expansion, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport improvements, I-35 reconstruction, and Project Connect—and explore how these developments will shape downtown’s future. Together, these catalytic investments promise to enhance connectivity, accessibility, and quality of life, while reinforcing Austin’s position as a premier destination for business, innovation, and investment.
Event Speakers Include:
- Welcome Remarks - Kirk Watson, City of Austin Mayor
- Moderator - Davon Barbour, CEO of Downtown Austin Alliance (DAA)
- Ghizlane Badawi, CEO of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Greg Canally, CEO of Austin Transit Partnership (ATP)
- Tucker Furgeson, Austin District Engineer of Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
- Katy Zamesnik, Assistant Director of the Austin Convention Center
Secure Your Sponsorship Today for a High-Impact Opportunity!
Each sponsorship level includes recognition and benefits for both of our upcoming events: Issues Over Lunch: Infrastructure in Motion and Issues & Eggs: Waterloo Greenway – Austin’s Urban Connector. Your support ensures these vital conversations remain accessible, timely and impactful. Sponsorship levels include:
Visionary (SOLD)
- Premier branding on the event signage, website, Eventbrite registration page and social media
- 10 premier seats at each event
- 5 minute speaking opportunity at both events
- Newsletter features highlighting donor
- Recognition in press release and media alerts
- Recognition in State of Downtown report
- Tabling opportunity at both events
- Opportunity to have sponsor promotional material on each seat at both events
Benefactor
- Premier branding on the event signage, website, Eventbrite registration page and social media
- 10 premier seats at both events
- Newsletter features highlighting donor
- Recognition in State of Downtown report
- Tabling opportunity at both events
Steward
- Branding on the event signage, website, Eventbrite registration page and social media.
- 10 premier seats at both events
- Dedicated newsletter features highlighting donor
- Tabling opportunity at both events
Advocate
- Branding on the event signage, website, Eventbrite registration page and social media
- 10 premier seats at both events
Act now to secure your sponsorship and enjoy maximum visibility. Sponsorship commitments must be finalized by January 16th to ensure branding inclusion in promotional materials.
Contact us today to lock in your spot and make an impact at this highly anticipated event! [email protected]
Agenda
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:10 PM
Welcome Remarks, Mayor Kirk Watson
Host: Mayor Kirk Watson
Info: For three decades, Kirk Watson has been immersed in public policy, spanning local and state government in Texas. He served in the Texas Senate for over 13 years, leading on a wide range of issues and serving as a member and vice-chair of multiple standing and special committees and the Sunset Advisory Commission. His peers elected him President Pro Tempore of the Senate in 2019.
Watson was appointed in 1991 by Gov. Ann Richards as Chair of the Texas Air Control Board, the agency charged with addressing air quality issues. He was Vice-Chair of the committee that oversaw creation of the agency now known as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
He was first elected Austin mayor in 1997, where he won praise for bringing different political sides together around transformative environmental and economic development initiatives. In 2012, serving in the Texas Senate, he led the effort to build a new medical school at The University of Texas at Austin. Learn more about Mayor Watson.
🕑: 12:10 PM - 01:00 PM
Panel Discussion
Host: Katy Zamesnik, Assistant Director Convention Center
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Audience Q&A
🕑: 01:15 PM - 01:30 PM
Event Ends
Where is it happening?
Hilton Austin, 500 East 4th Street, Austin, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 71.21 to USD 8004.89

















