2025 Annual Conference

2025 Conference Schedule

The #TSPRA25 Conference is shaping up to be an amazing opportunity for networking, learning, and collaboration. We are excited to share the Schedule-At-A-Glance with you today.

You may notice there are a few new features to the conference this year including: 

• Full Day of Pre-Conference! Sessions held in the morning, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, a Lunch & Learn event, Lunch with a Lawyer, and afternoon sessions from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Pre-Conference set for Monday, February 17, 2025.
• A focus on AI with learning leading to certification for members who elect to participate!
• Our First General Session features a Magician who will infuse the magic into the #VivaTSPRA conference experience.
• NEW! Star Awards Celebration features reserved seating this year!

Special thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors who have committed to supporting the conference in a big way! We are grateful for their continued support and love for our members!

Take a  look at the schedule, register and plan your travel to San Antonio, February 17-20, 2025. We are excited to share in the learning, engagement, connection, and magic as we bring Fiesta to life a bit early, fueling the fun at #VivaTSPRA!

Schedule at a Glance

Sunday, February 16 

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Executive Committee Meeting

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Advance Team Set-Up

6 pm Executive Committee Dinner

Monday, February 17 [Pre-Conference Day, Vendor Setup)

9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pre-Conference Sessions ($150 per session)

Vendor Set-Up 11:30 am – 5:00 pm  

Registration Desk Open 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch & Learn / Lunch with a Lawyer ($150 Includes Lunch)  

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm  Pre-Conference Sessions ($150 per session)

***HEB Communications / Marketing Department Tour (PENDING)

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm President’s Reception 

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm  Come and Go, Meet & Greet Reception  – Sponsored by Gallagher Construction and WRA Architects  

7:00 pm  Evening on Your Own / Client Dinners / Sign-Up Dinners

Tuesday, February 18 

7:30 am – 5:30 pm Registration Open 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm  Exhibit Area Open 

8:00 am – 8:30 am  Vendor Viewing 

7:30 am – 8:30 am Breakfast & Belonging for New TSPRA Members

8:00 am – 9:00 am  Grab & Go Breakfast  

8:30 am – 10:30 am  First General Session; Keynote Speaker; Professional Awards 

9:00 am – 5:00 pm  TSPRA Lounge  – Sponsored

10:30 am – 11:00 am  Designated Vendor Viewing / Caffeinated Connections / Medal Exchange – Sponsored

10:30 am – 5:30 pm Coaching Concierge with Veronica V. Sopher

Register for one of these hour-long PR, Marketing, Communications and Crisis Communications Counseling Concierge opportunities for one-on-one conversations with Veronica V. Sopher, an award-winning, media trained front line public information officer with 25+ years of experience in communications, public relations, and customer service. Secure your time! 

• 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (4 slots available)
• 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (4 slots available)
• 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. (4 slots available)
• 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (4 slots available)
• 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (4 slots available)

11:00 am -12:00 pm  Concurrent Breakout Sessions 

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  Lunch on Your Own or Lunch & Learns  – Sponsored

(Lunch & Learns / Lunch with a Vendor) includes some one on one time with one of your service providers! They will share what’s new, what is happening, valuable tips, tricks and how to’s! You will enjoy a boxed lunch while you sit and visit with other users to share best practices!

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm  Concurrent Sessions

2:45 pm – 4:15 pm Work / Life Balance Made Simple, Conversations with Michelli Ramon

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm  Concurrent Sessions 

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm  Snack Break/Designated Vendor Viewing

4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Book Study  

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm  Group Photo at Alamo / Wear Your TSPRA T-shirt (Buses will transport members to The Alamo and back.)

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm Dinner on Your Own / Client Dinners / Sign Up Dinners 

8:00 pm – 11:00 pm  Karaoke  – Sponsored by ParentSquare  & Class Intercom

Wednesday, February 19 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm  Registration Open

8:00 am – 4:00 pm Exhibit Area Open (Tear Down Starts at 4 pm)

8:00 am – 8:30 am  Vendor Viewing 

8:00 am – 9:00 am  Grab & Go Breakfast in Exhibitor Area 

8:30 am – 10:30 am Second General Session; (Tentative 2nd Keynote with Kate Rogers) Officer Installation; Professional Awards; Key Communicator 

9:00 am – 5:00 pm  TSPRA Lounge  – Sponsored  

10:30 am – 11:00 am  Vendor Viewing/Caffeinated Connections/Medal Exchange  – Sponsored

11:00 am – 12:00 pm  Concurrent Breakout Sessions 

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  Lunch on Your Own or Lunch & Learns by Sponsors

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm  Roundtables/Concurrent  Breakout Sessions 

2:45 pm – 3:45 pm  Concurrent Breakout Sessions 

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm  Snack Break 

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm  Work/Life Balance Sessions,  Fun/Run Walk 

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm  Exhibit Area Tear Down 

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm  Star Awards Reception  – Sponsored

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm  Star Awards Celebration (Pre-purchased Ticket Required $80 / Reserved Seating  – Sponsored

9:30 pm – 11:00 pm Star Awards After Party  – Sponsored

Thursday, February 20 

8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast Buffet 

9:00 am – 9:30 am  Third General Session: Membership Meeting

9:30 am – 11:30 am Check-out

TSPRA 2025 Pre-Conference Sessions

Pre-conference sessions are $150 each. NEW this year, a full day of learning with sessions occurring in the morning, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch & Learn / Lunch with a Lawyer ($150 Includes Lunch), and then sessions in the afternoon, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Register for one, two or all three sessions! The sessions will be held on Monday, February 17, 2025 and feature presenters you won’t want to miss. Sessions are subject to change.

You may register for a pre-conference session when you register for the entire conference or you can register for them separately at this link:
CLICK HERE

TSPRA 2025 Speakers

Keynote Speaker
Jon Tai
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
1st General Session

Jon Tai is a celebrated magician and storyteller, whose mission is to foster connections between people through shared moments of astonishment. He performs magic across the country and around the world, in person and virtually, and has called the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s Liberty Magic Theater his home base since its grand opening in early 2019. He is best known for having co-created and starred in “Missed Connections” Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters in New York City, following its premiere at Chicago’s MacArthur Award-winning A Red Orchid Theatre. A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Psychology, he lives in the Troy Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh where he can often be found drinking coffee at Scratch & Co., his favorite neighborhood cafe.

Keynote Speaker / TSPRA 2024 Key Communicator
Dr. Walter Jackson, Superintendent of Schools, La Porte ISD
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
2nd General Session

Dr. Walter Jackson, Superintendent of La Porte ISD, has been named the Texas School Public Relations Association’s 2024 Key Communicator. The award is sponsored by our partners at CESO, The Center for Effective School Operations. 

Recognized for his significant contributions to public school communications, Dr. Jackson is a leader dedicated to equitable education, student success, and professional development for educators.

“Dr. Jackson is a great teacher, leader, and communicator who promotes success for his students, staff, and community,” said Dr. Bobby Ott, Superintendent of Schools for Temple ISD. “He describes himself as a ‘cultural strategist’ and ‘equity warrior.’ He seeks opportunities for students to take advantage of public education while pursuing the American Dream. He believes students are only afforded school one time, and he believes it is the role of the professional educators to make it the most positive and impactful experience for them.”

Dr. Jackson’s impact extends beyond La Porte ISD through his roles on the UIL Legislative Council, TASA Executive Committee, and AASA Governing Board, demonstrating his dedication to fostering communication and advocacy for public education.

“As a respected educator and advocate for education, Dr. Jackson has consistently demonstrated exceptional communication skills,” said Dr. Charles Breithaupt, Executive Director of the University Interscholastic League (UIL). “His exceptional ability to effectively articulate the needs and concerns of educational stakeholders has been instrumental in shaping legislation that enhances the educational experience for all students. His strong advocacy for equitable access to resources and quality education has earned him immense respect within the education community.”

Under Dr. Jackson’s leadership, La Porte ISD established Project Launch, a partnership with the University of Houston-Clear Lake, allowing fifth and sixth graders to enroll in STEM-based college courses. He also successfully led the passage of a $235 million bond, navigating economic challenges and garnering broad community support.

Dr. Jackson’s mentorship has guided many aspiring superintendents to achieve their goals, further demonstrating his commitment to the future of education.

Dr. Kevin Brown, Executive Director of the Texas Association for School Administrators (TASA), remarked, “Dr. Jackson is an authentic leader and a great public speaker, speaking truth to power. He is respected not only by me but also by his peers across the state.”

TSPRA is honored to recognize Dr. Walter Jackson as the 2024 Key Communicator, celebrating his achievements at txEDCON in September, and at the Annual TSPRA Conference in February 2025.

Registration and Tickets:

Click here to register for the conference.

Click here to register for a Pre-Conference Standalone Ticket.

Click here to only register for the Star Awards Celebration.

Pricing:

• Monday, February 17, 2025 Pre-Conference Sessions – $150
• Monday, February 17, 2025 Lunch & Learn / Lunch with a Lawyer– $150 
• Member Registration (February 18-20, 2025) – $550 (No 1-day or 2-day registrations)
• Nonmember Registration – $980 (includes registration and a TSPRA membership through Oct. 31, 2025, starting when fee is paid)
• Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Star Awards Celebration – $80, members and nonmembers)
• Last day to cancel for a full refund December 15, 2024.
• Cancellations on or after December 16, 2024 through January 20, 2025 will be charged a $100 cancellation fee per registration.
• Cancellation on or after January 21, 2025 will be charged the full fee. Substitutions will be accepted.

2025 TSPRA Hotels

Conference Hotel
Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
600 East Market Street
San Antonio, Texas 78205
1-210-224-1234

The Hotel room block for #TSPRA25 is full.

Housing Company Link – All questions regarding rooms and reservations are handled through Connections Housing. Click the link to be taken to the site.

• Please use the link to make your reservations and also to handle any changes you need. 
• Currently the conference hotel block is full. If you go to our housing link, select Attendee and Make a Reservation. Then go to the box that says Additional Hotel Options and you will see other hotels in the area. Select one and book. There is no need to mention TSPRA since we have no contracts with any of those hotels. Then go back to the housing site and call the number to get on the waitlist for the conference hotel.

• The TSPRA housing site has a link to get on the waitlist for the conference hotel – the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Riverwalk. There is also a link that will show all hotels in the San Antonio downtown area.

https://book.passkey.com/event/50828546/owner/14227/home 

Need to know information for a reservation:

• A credit card is necessary to secure the reservation. You will need to fill out a credit card authorization several weeks in advance of your arrival.

#TSPRA25 Conference Hotel Information:

• Location: Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk
• Hotel Address: 600 East Market Street San Antonio, Texas 78205
• Dates: February 17-20, 2025; only TSPRA officers have an event on Sunday,  February 16.
• Check-in: 4 pm
• Check-out: 11 am
• On-Site Parking: Valet – From $59  Self-Park – From $47
• Off-Site Parking – City of San Antonio Parking Garage directly across the street ($10 – $15 daily)
• There are many places within walking distance of the hotel where you can eat lunch and dinner, with a food court located in the Rivercenter Mall, just down and around the corner from the hotel via the Riverwalk.
• Perk’s Coffee Shop / Cafe  is directly accessible through the hotel lobby providing Starbucks coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner, grab and go items, beverages and sweet treats; open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk offers four outstanding dining experiences designed to please your palate Texas-style. Whether it’s a taste for a regionally inspired dish at Bar Rojo, a grab-and-go sandwich or snack, food and beverage service in our hotel’s Top Golf Swing Suites, or a hearty prime rib steak at Ruth’s Chris, Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk has delicious options for you.

TSPRA 2025 Menu/Dining Options 

The San Antonio River Walk is home to a number of options for dining and entertainment. Maps will be available at the TSPRA registration desk to assist with your dining choices.

At the conference, TSPRA will provide the following, subject to change:

Sunday, February 16

• EC Dinner for TSPRA Officers

Monday, February 17

• Sponsored Meet and Greet Reception for all attendees

Tuesday, February 18

• Grab and Go breakfast, first come, first served
• Afternoon break for all attendees

Wednesday, February 19

• Grab and Go breakfast, first come, first served
• Afternoon break for all attendees
• Star Award Celebration (ticket purchase required; menu posted at a later date; be sure to mark your dietary restrictions when purchasing your ticket)

Thursday, February 20

• Buffet breakfast for all attendees

TSPRA 2025 Sponsors & Exhibitors

TSPRA has created a new online sponsor/exhibitor system.

Click here to see all the options and when you are ready, fill out the form.

For information or questions on sponsorships, contact TSPRA Executive Director Patti Pawlik-Perales at ppawlikperales@tspra.org.

Exhibitors

There will be forty-three (43) tabletops, four (4) 10’x10’, and five (5) 10’x20’ booths in the Exhibit Hall. TSPRA will also have booth space available outside the hall for our Mercado.

TSPRA 2025 Conference Presenter Application

APPLY TO PRESENT – CLICK HERE

TSPRA’s annual conference planning is in full swing for the Viva TSPRA 2025 Annual Conference, February 17-20, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk, San Antonio, Texas. 

As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance professional development, we’ve collaborated with a focus group of TSPRA members to pinpoint key topics for our annual conference sessions. 

The insights gathered from this group are designed to inspire your session proposals. While you are welcome to submit a proposal on any topic, these suggestions can help streamline your ideas and ensure relevance. See the focus group’s suggestions here.  

After proposals are submitted, the focus group and state office will review them for scheduling. We’re excited to see your innovative ideas! 

All sessions will be full one-hour breakout sessions. There will be no roundtables this year. 

You will be contacted on Nov. 11, 2024 if your presentation was accepted. You will have until Nov. 15, 2024 to confirm your session and submit any changes. Changes to session descriptions will not be accepted after Nov. 22, 2024. 

If a presenter does not accept their assignment and confirm program information by the specified deadline, their presentation will be replaced by an alternate.

Sometimes presenters change their minds and choose not to present. At that point, their slot is offered to an alternate presenter or left open. 

Submit your proposals by 4 p.m. Oct. 25, 2024 for consideration.

2025 TSPRA Conference Scholarship Application

Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m. Nov. 21, 2024. Click here to apply.

TSPRA is offering four scholarships to the 2025 TSPRA Annual Conference, to be held February 17-20, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, Texas.

There will be:

•  two scholarships for first-time attendees
• one scholarship based on financial need
• one scholarship to a TSPRA member with 10+ years cumulative work in school PR/communications

You may only submit one scholarship application in one of the scholarship categories. Recipients must be TSPRA members at the professional or institutional membership level and in good standing (meaning dues for 2024-2025 have been paid at the time of the application). Recipients must also agree to be willing to serve on a TSPRA committee in 2025-2026 as a way of giving back to the association for the opportunity to attend the annual conference.

The scholarships, valued at $2,576 will include:


• conference registration, pre-conference session(s) and a Star Award Celebration ticket ($1,080 value)
• four nights stay in the Grand Hyatt Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, Texas (Check-in Sunday Feb. 16; check-out Thursday, Feb. 20; $996 plus fees value)
• reimbursement of travel expenses NOT TO EXCEED $500 and based on receipts submitted by March 19, 2025 (some types of reimbursements are excluded)

Recipients will be responsible for all travel and incidental expenses beyond $500.

• Application must be completed and submitted by the member applying. Applications submitted by others will not be accepted.
• Previous recipients are not eligible.
•  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Scholarships are non-transferable and can only be used by the recipient for the 2025 TSPRA Annual Conference.

Recipients will be notified in December 2024