2014 Schedule

Special Events

Cactus Cafe

Pre-Festival Student Summit

Enjoy a kickoff session with fellow #TTFstudents. Meet Tribune staff and find out how to get the most out of your Festival experience. Free pizza and sodas will be provided.

Learn more about #TTFstudents. 

Special Events

AT&T Center Ballroom

Livestream of Greg Abbott-Wendy Davis Debate

Before the Festival’s opening session, join us to watch the first general election debate of the 2014 gubernatorial race between Republican Greg Abbott and Democrat Wendy Davis. The debate will take place in McAllen, but we’ll be bringing it to you live courtesy of our friends at the McAllen Monitor.

Special Events

Main Mall

Opening Night Party

Join us for a welcome reception on the UT Main Mall directly after the opening session on Friday evening. Mingle with the Festival's speakers and moderators and the Tribune's writers and editors while enjoying cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a "taste of Austin" provided by some of the city's best local restaurants. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.

Special Events

Student Activity Center, Fireside Lounge

Festival Members’ Lounge: Recharge. Refresh. Go.

As a benefit of membership, Texas Tribune members enjoy full access to the Festival Members’ Lounge. Located in the Student Activity Center and stocked full of delicious snacks, treats and beverages, the lounge provides Tribune members with a recharge zone.

Special Events

Student Activity Center Room 1.106

#TTFstudents Lounge

The #TTFstudents Lounge is your hub. Take advantage of valuable networking opportunities as well as 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. The lounge will have free drinks, snacks, phone charging, photo bombing and fun activities. 

Learn more about #TTFstudents. 

Special Events

Main 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 event curated by Austin's own Tiffany Harelik, author of the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook series.

Special Events

AT&T Center Courtyard

Courtyard Reception

Join your fellow Festival attendees directly after Saturday's last session in the garden courtyard of the AT&T Center. Discuss the day and enjoy the outdoor setting after the day's sessions. This special reception is open to all Festival attendees.

Special Events

Franklin Barbecue

Franklin Barbecue Feast

Skip the line and join us at legendary Franklin Barbecue - winner of Texas Monthly's coveted "Best Barbecue Joint in Texas" award - for an intimate dinner and a lively discussion about the state of the news media with Chris Hayes, host of MSNBC's All In with Chris Hayes and editor-at-large of The Nation. This event is not included in the regular Festival badge and requires an extra ticket. Barbecue and beer are included with the ticket price of $250.

Purchase your ticket when you register or email [email protected] if you have already registered. But hurry, as space is extremely limited.

Presented by The Monument Group 

• Chris Hayes /

• Evan Smith (mod.) 

Special Events

Belo Center for New Media Studio 1A

Live TribCast Recording at KUT/KUTX Studios

After the closing keynote session at the AT&T Center, sign up to attend a student-only post-Festival live TribCast recording with Tribune reporter Reeve Hamilton, KUT reporter Ben Philpott, State Reps. Donna Howard and Jason Villalba, Slate's Dave Weigel, and Politico's Maggie Haberman. Enjoy a complimentary lunch and see our special musical guest, The Jason Roberts Band. RSVP is required. Sign up in the #TTFstudents Lounge.

Learn more about #TTFstudents. 

• Maggie Haberman /

• Donna Howard /

• Jason Villalba /

• David Weigel /

• Reeve Hamilton (mod.) /

• Ben Philpott (mod.)