2013 Program
Sessions at the 2014 Texas Tribune Festival will be held at unique venues on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin including The AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center and the Student Activity Center.
In addition to the schedule of issue-based sessions, this three-day conference features exclusive walking tours, receptions, networking opportunities and special keynote conversations.
Friday 4:00 PM
Cactus Cafe
Pre-Festival Student Summit
Enjoy a kick-off session with fellow #StudentsAtTheFest. Meet Tribune staff and find out how to get the most out of your Festival experience. Free pizza.
Learn more about #StudentsAtTheFest
Harry Ransom Center
Watergate Papers at the Harry Ransom Center
Associate Director for Cataloging Services Steve Mielke presents the Harry Ransom Center's Watergate Papers and a walk through the private archival stacks of the institution. Please note: This event requires an additional ticket which can be purchased when you register.
Friday 6:00 PM
AT&T Center Salon C
One on One with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
The Festival kicks off on Friday evening with a conversation between U.S. Senator Ted Cruz and the Tribune's co-founder and editor-in-chief Evan Smith. Cruz is serving his first term in Congress and is vice chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. One of the most outspoken members of the Senate, Cruz will discuss Texas' role in nationwide politics.
Friday 7:30 PM
UT Tower Plaza
Party on the Plaza
Join us for a welcome reception on the UT Tower plaza directly after the opening session with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on Friday evening. Mingle with the Festival’s speakers and moderators and the Tribune’s writers and editors while enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres under the stars. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.
Saturday 8:00 AM
Student Activity Center Rm. 1.106
#StudentsAtTheFest Lounge
Located near five of the nine program tracks, the #StudentsAtTheFest Lounge is your hub. Take advantage of scheduled and impromptu meet-and-greets with speakers, sponsors and Tribune staff throughout the day, or just drop by to rest and connect with other students, plus free drinks, snacks, phone charging, photo bombing and fun activities.
Learn more about #StudentsAtTheFest
Student Activity Center Fireside Lounge
Member's Lounge
Come rest and recharge anytime on Saturday with refreshments (and outlets) in the Members’ Lounge in the UT Student Activity Center. Limited-edition Tribune swag including Tribune reporter notebooks, reusable grocery bags and more will be available.
Saturday 8:30 AM
AT&T Center Conference Rm. 301
Guilt and Innocence
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.130
After West
Student Activity Center North Ballroom
Implementing the Affordable Care Act
Student Activity Center South Ballroom
Higher Education in 2038
AT&T Center Amphitheater 204
The Fight Over Immigration Reform
Student Activity Center Amphitheater
Early Childhood Education
Saturday 9:50 AM
AT&T Center Salon C
And the Next Attorney General of Texas Will Be…
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.126
Regulating Energy
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.130
Water: What Now?
Student Activity Center South Ballroom
Meanwhile, Back at the Non-Flagships
AT&T Center Amphitheater 204
Latinos and the Republican Party
AT&T Center Classroom 203
Planning for the Future
Saturday 11:10 AM
AT&T Center Amphitheater 204
One on One with Attorney General Greg Abbott
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.126
The Shale Boom: What Now?
Student Activity Center North Ballroom
The Fight Over Medicaid
Student Activity Center Amphitheater
The Fight Over Charter Schools
AT&T Center Classroom 203
High-Speed Rail: What Now?
Saturday 12:15 PM
South Mall
Food Truck Lunch
Austin may be known as the live music capital of the world, but it's also known for its diverse and gourmet food trucks. The Texas Tribune Festival is providing the adventure of eating at a food truck court. Be sure to bring cash to grab lunch and dessert from some of Austin's most iconic food trucks at this special lunch curated by Austin's own Tiffany Harelik, author of the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook series.
Saturday 1:45 PM
AT&T Center Salon C
One on One with Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.126
The Road to Energy Efficiency
Student Activity Center North Ballroom
The Most Exciting Developments Coming out of Texas
Student Activity Center South Ballroom
Governance and the Role of Regents: What Now?
AT&T Center Amphitheater 204
How to Secure the Border
AT&T Center Classroom 203
The Fight Over Road Funding
Saturday 3:05 PM
AT&T Center Conference Rm. 301
Juvenile Justice: What Now?
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.126
The Fight Over Electricity
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.130
The Future of Parks
Student Activity Center Amphitheater
Innovations in Teaching
AT&T Center Classroom 203
Issues in Rural Transportation
Saturday 4:25 PM
AT&T Center Salon C
What Does The Tea Party Want?
AT&T Center Conference Rm. 301
The Fight Over Guns
College of Liberal Arts Rm. 0.130
The Fight Over Climate Change
Student Activity Center North Ballroom
Abortion and Women's Health: What Now?
Student Activity Center South Ballroom
The Fight Over Paying Student-Athletes
AT&T Center Amphitheater 204
The Voting Rights Act: What Now?
Student Activity Center Amphitheater
Public Education Reform: What Now?
Saturday 5:30 PM
AT&T Center Courtyard
Courtyard Reception
Join your fellow Festival attendees directly after the last session on Saturday in the garden courtyard of the AT&T Center. Discuss the day and enjoy the outdoor setting to unwind after the day’s discussions and debates. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.
Sunday 9:15 AM
AT&T Center Salon C
Turning Texas Blue
One of the final sessions of the weekend, this panel will discuss the prospects of a Democratic comeback in Texas.
Sunday 10:30 AM
AT&T Center Salon C
One on One with State Senator Wendy Davis
In the Festival's last act, state senator and Democratic rising star Wendy Davis will participate in a conversation with the Tribune's CEO and editor-in-chief Evan Smith.
Sunday 12:30 PM
Belo Center for New Media Studio 1A
Live TribCast Recording and Studio Tour
After the closing keynote panels at the AT&T Center, sign up to attend a student-only post-Festival live TribCast recording with Tribune reporter Reeve Hamilton and KUT reporter Ben Philpott. Enjoy a complimentary lunch and get a tour of KUT/KUTX, one of the top five public radio stations in the country. RSVP required, sign up in the #StudentsAtTheFest Lounge.
Learn more about #StudentsAtTheFest
UT Tower
The University of Texas Tower
UT-Austin President Bill Powers hosts a tour of The University of Texas Tower, the Austin landmark that soars above campus. Please note: This event requires an additional ticket which can be purchased when you register.
LBJ Library and Museum
LBJ Library and Museum
Director Mark Updegrove leads a tour of the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum, including the closed-to-the-public private presidential chambers and archival stacks. Please note: This event requires an additional ticket which can be purchased when you register.
Texas State Capitol
Texas State Capitol – SOLD OUT
Curator Ali James guides a behind-the-scenes tour visiting the chambers, courtrooms, Legislative Reference Library, and the furnishings and decorative art from the Capitol Historical Artifact collection. Please note: This event requires an additional ticket which can be purchased when you register.
Texas State Cemetery
Texas State Cemetery
Superintendent Harry Bradley offers a guided tour of the famous Texas State Cemetery, featuring commentary about notable Texans and their fates, as well as the lore of the historic site. Please note: This event requires an additional ticket which can be purchased when you register.
